Manning sets passer rating record
DENVER -- Watching Steve Young set the single-season passing rating record a decade ago, Denver coach Mike Shanahan figured it was a mark that would never be broken.
Little did he know someone like Peyton Manning would come along.
Manning finished off one of the greatest seasons for a quarterback Sunday, shattering Young's record by nearly nine points after setting the touchdown record the previous week.
Manning finished the season with a 121.1 rating, easily passing the 112.8 set by Young in 1994. This after Manning eclipsed one of the league's most coveted records last week against San Diego by throwing his 49th touchdown pass to move one past Dan Marino's 1984 record with Miami.
``I just don't think people understand what a feat that was,'' said Shanahan, who was the 49ers' offensive coordinator when Young set the record. ``I was with Steve Young when he had a 112 and I just couldn't imagine anyone breaking that record. So for Peyton to shatter that record just speaks volumes about what he's been able to accomplish this year.''
Just don't expect Manning to speak too much about it.
With a playoff game against the Broncos coming up next Sunday, he was mum about a season that ranks among the best of all-time.
``It's maybe something when I retire, maybe you think about that,'' Manning said. ``But when you are right here in the middle of it and looking to play a good team next week, that is something you have to get ready for. All I am thinking about is Denver next week.''
Still, the numbers are impressive.
Though he finished the season with the fewest passes (497) in his seven-year career, Manning set career-highs with 4,551 yards -- fourth all-time -- and a 67.6 percent completion rate. He also threw 10 interceptions, tying a career low.
Manning's big year led to some big numbers for the Colts.
Indianapolis finished with 522 points, fourth-most in league history and 44 behind Minnesota's 1998 record. The Colts also had 66 touchdowns, tying three other teams for third all-time, four behind the record set by the 1984 Dolphins.
``They're playing at a high level,'' Shanahan said.
Manning and the rest of the starters just didn't get much of a chance to add to it.
With the Colts already locked into the AFC's third playoff seed, he lasted one series against the Broncos, throwing two incompletions before being replaced by Jim Sorgi.
``It's not something you want to get used to,'' Manning said. ``I'd rather be out there playing.''
January 02, 2005
Steelers Backups End Bills' Playoff Hopes
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - The Pittsburgh Steelers are so good that they ended Buffalo's playoff hopes with their backups. Fourth-string running back Willie Parker had 102 yards rushing and backup linebacker James Harrison returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown, helping seal the Steelers' 29-24 win over Buffalo on Sunday. The Steelers won their 14th straight to match the record set by Miami in 1972 and became just the fourth team in NFL history, the first in the AFC, to finish 15-1.
The Bills (9-7) had a six-game win streak snapped, and squandered a chance to win their first playoff spot since 1999. Their loss automatically put the New York Jets in.
Buffalo made it close when Willis McGahee scored his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard plunge with 78 seconds left. But the Bills failed on an onside kick when Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor recovered the ball.
It was an exceptional performance by the Steelers, who already had clinched home-field advantage in the playoffs. They won without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Jerome Bettis, receiver Plaxico Burress and linebacker Kendrell Bell. And from the third quarter on, their lineup included quarterback Brian St. Pierre, promoted from the team's practice squad last week, and a defense with just five starters.
St. Pierre, who replaced Tommy Maddox late in the third quarter, missed on his one pass attempt in an NFL debut that consisted of him handing the ball to Parker.
Maddox went 12-of-24 for 120 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
The game turned late in the third quarter after Buffalo's Rian Lindell missed wide right on a 28-yard field-goal attempt that left the Bills clinging to a 17-16 lead.
The Steelers responded on their next drive when Jeff Reed hit a 37-yarder, set up by Parker's 58-yard run.
Pittsburgh then went ahead 29-17 when cornerback Ricardo Colclough blind-sided quarterback Drew Bledsoe, forcing a fumble that fell directly into the hands of Harrison, who ran it in for a score with 13:24 remaining.
The Bills went three-and-out on their next possession.
The Steelers then ate up nearly nine minutes with a 14-play, 46-yard drive — helped by two defensive penalties. It was capped with a 33-yard field goal by Reed, who kicked five.
Antwaan Randle El also scored on a 16-yard reception.
The Bills looked nothing like a team that had outscored its opponents 228-89 in its previous six games. The offense managed just 267 yards with seven three-and-outs.
McGahee finished with 79 yards rushing and two touchdowns, a 3-yarder.
Buffalo's offense managed just 267 yards, and had seven three-and-out series.
Bledsoe finished 16-of-30 for 189 yards passing and an interception.
The atmosphere at a soldout Ralph Wilson Stadium was electric, and featured a large contingent of Steelers fans. For Bills fans, this was considered the most significant home game since Buffalo lost to Jacksonville in the 1996 playoffs in Jim Kelly's last game.
And the Bills fans erupted in singing "Let's Go Buffalo," after McGahee put the Bills up 7-3 on a 3-yard run 9 minutes into the game.
That's all they had to cheer for in a first half in which the Bills' offense managed just 88 yards, and had five of their first six series last three plays or less. Things might have been worse if the Bills defense didn't force two turnovers, a Randle El fumble and a Maddox interception.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - The Pittsburgh Steelers are so good that they ended Buffalo's playoff hopes with their backups. Fourth-string running back Willie Parker had 102 yards rushing and backup linebacker James Harrison returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown, helping seal the Steelers' 29-24 win over Buffalo on Sunday. The Steelers won their 14th straight to match the record set by Miami in 1972 and became just the fourth team in NFL history, the first in the AFC, to finish 15-1.
The Bills (9-7) had a six-game win streak snapped, and squandered a chance to win their first playoff spot since 1999. Their loss automatically put the New York Jets in.
Buffalo made it close when Willis McGahee scored his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard plunge with 78 seconds left. But the Bills failed on an onside kick when Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor recovered the ball.
It was an exceptional performance by the Steelers, who already had clinched home-field advantage in the playoffs. They won without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Jerome Bettis, receiver Plaxico Burress and linebacker Kendrell Bell. And from the third quarter on, their lineup included quarterback Brian St. Pierre, promoted from the team's practice squad last week, and a defense with just five starters.
St. Pierre, who replaced Tommy Maddox late in the third quarter, missed on his one pass attempt in an NFL debut that consisted of him handing the ball to Parker.
Maddox went 12-of-24 for 120 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
The game turned late in the third quarter after Buffalo's Rian Lindell missed wide right on a 28-yard field-goal attempt that left the Bills clinging to a 17-16 lead.
The Steelers responded on their next drive when Jeff Reed hit a 37-yarder, set up by Parker's 58-yard run.
Pittsburgh then went ahead 29-17 when cornerback Ricardo Colclough blind-sided quarterback Drew Bledsoe, forcing a fumble that fell directly into the hands of Harrison, who ran it in for a score with 13:24 remaining.
The Bills went three-and-out on their next possession.
The Steelers then ate up nearly nine minutes with a 14-play, 46-yard drive — helped by two defensive penalties. It was capped with a 33-yard field goal by Reed, who kicked five.
Antwaan Randle El also scored on a 16-yard reception.
The Bills looked nothing like a team that had outscored its opponents 228-89 in its previous six games. The offense managed just 267 yards with seven three-and-outs.
McGahee finished with 79 yards rushing and two touchdowns, a 3-yarder.
Buffalo's offense managed just 267 yards, and had seven three-and-out series.
Bledsoe finished 16-of-30 for 189 yards passing and an interception.
The atmosphere at a soldout Ralph Wilson Stadium was electric, and featured a large contingent of Steelers fans. For Bills fans, this was considered the most significant home game since Buffalo lost to Jacksonville in the 1996 playoffs in Jim Kelly's last game.
And the Bills fans erupted in singing "Let's Go Buffalo," after McGahee put the Bills up 7-3 on a 3-yard run 9 minutes into the game.
That's all they had to cheer for in a first half in which the Bills' offense managed just 88 yards, and had five of their first six series last three plays or less. Things might have been worse if the Bills defense didn't force two turnovers, a Randle El fumble and a Maddox interception.
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