Colts’ Manning ready for Ryan, Jets

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS

Peyton Manning has kept it all business this week.

He studied tapes, looked for flaws and worked overtime to figure out how he beat the Jets defense. No change there, so don’t take it personally, Rex.

“It takes you absolutely forever to watch one game with their defense because they have so many different players and formations. It’s a full-time cram session,” Manning said. “It just takes you time if you are going to truly study.”

Few prepare more thoroughly than Manning, and even fewer can match the feats of the only four-time MVP league in history. This week’s possible milestones include passing Joe Montana for No. 2 on the postseason completions list and moving into the top five in playoff TD passes.

So if Ryan thought he could make Manning fret by calling this week’s matchup “personal,” well, think again.

As Ryan continued chirping, Manning kept working.

“I really don’t have any reaction to it,” Manning said. “I know how hard it is to prepare for this style of defense.”

Playing mind games with Manning is dangerous, something nobody understands better than Ryan.

He’s 1-5 against Manning as the Jets coach and Ravens defensive coordinator, with the win coming in a game Manning didn’t even finish. The Colts yanked their starters early in Week 16 last season, throwing away their chance at a perfect season and helping the Jets position themselves to charge into the playoffs.

Four weeks later, the teams met again in the AFC championship game and Manning led the Colts to a 30-17 come-from-behind victory.