With a season under his belt, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning made strides as a starter in his second year, cutting his interception total from 28 to 15 while still throwing 26 touchdown passes. He also eclipsed the 4,000-yards-passing mark for the first time in his NFL career with 4,135 yards.
Behind Manning's arm and leadership, the Colts team made a complete turnaround, going from 3-13 the previous season to 13-3 and an AFC East divisional championship. Indianapolis then thumped the Buffalo Bills, 31-6, in the first round of the playoffs before bowing to the Tennessee Titans, 16-19, in the second round.
The playoff loss would fuel Manning to push himself even harder during the offseason to become the best in the NFL.