Peyton Manning: Could Injury Be Causing Star Quarterback's Struggles?

Peyton Manning, what in the world is going on?

Sure the Chargers have a good defense, but four interceptions? Two of which were returned for touchdowns?

For the first time in a long time, Manning pretty much lost a game for his team single-handedly.

To find the last time Manning struggled so much, you would have to back to his rookie season when he threw 28 interceptions.

So, really, what's going on?

Age

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts waits for a play to come from the sidelines during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers won 3

Manning has been so good for so long that people forgot to notice that he's gotten old on us.

Manning is now in his 13th NFL season, and is 34 years of age. Manning is not done by any means, but it is more than possible that his best days are behind him.

Manning's best intangible is his intelligence. So even if his arm loses a little of its strength, or his step becomes a bit slower, he'll be able to survive in the NFL another few years.

But, that's only if he can notice, acknowledge and fix the changes that occur with age.

Is it any coincidence that Manning's struggles began at about the midway point of the season?

It's more than possible that his big arm can no longer sustain a full season of hits.

Injury

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HOUSTON - JANUARY 28: Quarterback Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts gestures as he talks with the media after being chosen as the FedEx Express NFL Player of the Year during Super Bowl XXXVIII week on January 28, 2003 at the George R. Brown Conven

When I say injury, I'm thinking Brett Favre-with-the-Jets type injury.

An injury where a warrior quarterback is incapable of realizing how the injury is affecting his play, and the team is too scared to tell him he can't play.

Manning admittedly suffered a stinger during the Colts' loss to the Chargers, but is there more to the story there?

I mean, nine interceptions in four games is a huge number for any NFL quarterback, let alone Peyton Manning.

Extrapolate that over a full season and Manning would throw 36 picks, which would shatter his previous career high of 28.

If Manning is hurt, he needs to bow out and and get help for the sake of his team.

Analysis

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to throw a pass while pursued by Kevin Burnett #99 of the San Diego Chargers during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Charg

The Colts' season is in jeopardy.

Few people thought that the Chargers would be able to defeat the Colts, but San Diego's defense scored two touchdowns and picked Peyton Manning off four times, so it looked pretty easy.

Panic has officially set in, but how will Manning react?

The whispers about him are suddenly audible, and it's new criticism for someone who has dominated the league for over 10 years. 

The Colts are in the midst of a two-game losing streak, but face Dallas next week.

In fact, the Colts' last five games (Dallas, Tennessee twice, Jacksonville and Oakland) are all winnable. 

I'll wait to pass judgment on Manning until he self-implodes again in one of these games, but until then I still think he is the premier quarterback that Indianapolis needs if it wants to make a playoff run.