Filed under: Colts, Jets, AFC East, AFC South
INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning said he hasn't much followed what New York Jets coach Rex Ryan has been saying about him in the press this week.As Manning sees it, there's no time for such thoughts.
That's because while the Indianapolis Colts' 11-time Pro Bowl quarterback has beaten Ryan two times in the postseason -- and while that record is providing Ryan more than a bit of motivation throughout this week -- Manning said his concern his preparing for the Jets.
And to hear Manning tell it, that's a time-consuming process.
Very, very time-consuming.
"It takes you absolutely forever to watch one game with their defense," Manning said Tuesday as the AFC South Champion Colts (10-6) prepared to play the Jets (11-5) in an AFC Wild Card Game Saturday at 8 p.m.
Manning said Ryan's use of multiple schemes and personnel combinations makes preparing for the Jets tough, particularly considering the game will be played on Saturday rather than Sunday.
"It takes you some time," Manning said. "I feel like we're already behind the eight ball with a short week. With a Saturday game, you're a day short on your preparation. It's a full-time cram session."
While Ryan's schemes may present Manning difficulty, it has been a challenge that Manning has met in impressive fashion, particularly in the postseason.
Manning has Ryan six times as a defensive coordinator and twice as a head coach. In 2005, Manning and the Colts beat the Ravens, 24-7, in the regular-season opener in Ryan's first game as the Ravens' defensive coordinator, and the Colts beat Baltimore the following post-season, 15-6, en route to a Super Bowl XLI title.
The Colts beat Baltimore in the 2007 and 2008 regular seasons by a combined 75-23, and also led the Jets in the 2009 regular season -- Ryan's first as the Jets' head coach -- before pulling Manning and other starters in the third quarter of what became the Colts' first loss of the season.
The Jets led the Colts in the first half of the AFC Championship Game this past February before Manning rallied the Colts to a 30-17 victory with two second-half touchdown passes. Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in that game.
In six games against Ryan defenses, Manning is 5-1 -- including last season's regular-season loss in December -- and has averaged 232 yards a game passing with a total of 12 touchdowns and two interceptions.
"You can't mention Indianapolis without saying Peyton Manning and Indianapolis," Ryan said. "I know he's there. I've seen him many years at the Pro Bowl. I respect the heck out of this guy but I want to beat him one day. I just hope it's this Saturday. ... It's as simple as that. Peyton Manning has beaten me twice in the playoffs. It's well documented and you have all the stats. This is about this year and I've waited a full year for this. We will see what happens."
One factor working against Manning this week has been an issue throughout the latter half of the season: the absence of not only tight end Dallas Clark, but of wide receiver Austin Collie. Clark has been out since October with a wrist injury, and Collie is on injured reserve with a concussion.
"As a credit to them, they just brought a lot to the table," Manning said.
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