NFL: Peyton Manning's Top 10 Moments With the Indianapolis Colts

A move that was expected to happen was finally handed down as the Indianapolis Colts made it official today.  They will use their franchise tag on All-Pro quarterback Peyton Manning, which guarantees he will return for the 2011-12 season.

The tag gives Manning a base salary of 120 percent of his pay this year, which leaves the Colts' signal-caller with a cool $23 million salary for the upcoming season. 

It is the second time in his career the franchise tag has been used on Manning. The first came in 2004, which led to a new seven-year, $98 million deal that expired this offseason.

Manning is expected to become the highest paid player in the league in the near future, but with the uncertain labor situation on the horizon, the Colts weren’t looking to get the record deal in place between player and team before a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is reached. 

Since it looks like Manning is soon to be a Colt for life, it feels like a good time to take a look back at the career of the future Hall-of-Famer and try to pinpoint the 10 best accomplishments of his storied NFL career thus far. 

10. Peyton Manning Becomes Marketable and Well-Liked

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 04: A fan of the Indianapolis Colts hold sup a sign in support of quarterback Peyton Manning #18 against the New England Patriots on November 4, 2007 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Patriots won 24-20. (Photo by And

This might have taken more work than Manning ever had to do, and it never had anything to do with his play on the field.

Everyone knew he was a special talent on the field, but being a workaholic wasn't very marketable off of it.

As one of the best (if not the best) players in the league, Manning had to find a way to connect with the fans.

He ended up doing so with a series of commercials that showed fans his funny side and made him more popular.

It may not have anything to do with his play, but this is a huge step to create the personality of the Peyton Manning we all know today.

9. First Career Touchdown Pass

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 04: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws passes to Marvin Harrison #88 during warm-ups prior to the start of Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Flo

Sept. 6, 1998

This is where it all began, as Peyton Manning hooked up with Marvin Harrison for the first time in their respective careers. 

It was Manning’s first touchdown pass as a pro, and it started a record-breaking duo that wouldn’t be stopped for years to come.

8. First Career Win

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4 Oct 1998: Quarterback Ryan Leaf #16 of the San Diego Chargers greets quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts following a game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Chargers 17-12. Mandatory Credit: Vincent La

October 1998

The irony could not get any greater even if you tried to write this storyline yourself.

Peyton Manning’s first career win came over the San Diego Chargers and quarterback Ryan Leaf, the player who went No. 2 overall behind Manning in the 1998 NFL Draft.

This result sure was fitting, as it symbolized what was to become of their two NFL careers. 

Manning would go on to be one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, while Leaf would turn into one of the biggest busts in NFL history.   

Go figure.

7. First Road Playoff Win

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 31, 2004 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Colts 45-35. (Photo by Je

Jan. 11, 2004

It was already established at this point in his career that Peyton Manning was going to become a very special player in the history of the league.

For some reason though, his regular season success could not translate to the playoffs, and he continued to watch his team get bounced from the postseason each year.

The critics be damned after this game when Manning took over, going 22-of-30 for 304 yards and three touchdowns over the heavily-favored Kansas City Chiefs squad. 

6. First Playoff Win

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 4: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts speaks to quarterback Jake Plummer #16 of the Denver Broncos during the AFC playoff game on January 4, 2004 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts beat the Br

Jan. 4, 2004

The only thing better than Manning's first playoff road win was his first career postseason win.

He was 0-for-3 in playoff games in his first few tries, and he made sure the critics knew he was capable of winning a playoff game this time around.

Manning threw all over the Denver Broncos, ending the day with 377 passing yards and five touchdowns en route to a 41-10 blowout win, still the most lopsided playoff victory in Colts history. 

5. Breaking NFL Record For Most Touchdown Passes In a Season

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INDIANAPOLIS - DECEMBER 26: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts follows through on a pass against the San Diego Chargers on December 26, 2004 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Peyton Manning passed Dan Marino as he threw his NFL regular

Dec. 26, 2004

The record was nice, but the win was even better. 

Manning continued to rewrite the record books with his 49th touchdown pass of the season, as he rallied his team from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers and led them on a 61-yard drive for the victory in overtime. 

His record touchdown pass was hauled in by Brandon Stokley, and it put his name ahead of Dan Marino's for most touchdown passes in a single season.

4. 2007 AFC Championship Game

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 04: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts and Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots meets on the field after the Patriots won their game 24-20 on November 4, 2007 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by And

Jan. 21, 2007

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will always be linked together throughout NFL history.

In this case, Manning will be on top of Brady no matter what anyone wants to say or argue.

Manning led his team to a 38-34 win in the 2007 AFC Championship game, overcoming a 15-point deficit the Colts faced after halftime.

The win was so big because it propelled the Colts to their first Super Bowl win just two weeks later, but it also showed Manning was capable of taking down Brady on the biggest of stages.

3. Record-Setting Fourth MVP Award

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MIAMI BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 5: Quarterback Peyton Manning of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts is awarded the Superbowl XLI MVP award and a new 2007 Cadillac at the Miami Beach Convention Center on February 5, 2007 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Phot

In case you didn't realize it already, Peyton Manning is one of the best players ever to play the game.  He also has done things other players only dream about doing, like winning the MVP award for his play during the regular season.

To up the ante, Manning didn't just win the award once or even twice, he has taken home the NFL MVP award a record-setting four times.

Brady may be the man with the rings, but Manning certainly has a bunch of important trophies to crowd his mantle. 

2. 11th 4,000-Yard Season

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pss under pressure against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. T

Peyton Manning threw for 4,700 yards during the 2010 NFL season, a number that didn't shock many when the year was said and done.

What made it so special was the fact that this year marked the 11th time in his career that Manning has eclipsed 4,000 passing yards in a season, another NFL record. 

This record is so great because it illustrates the dominance he has had over the league for over the past decade.

1. Super Bowl XLI

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 04: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates winning the Super Bowl XLI qith a score of 29-17 over the Chicago Bears on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Dona

Feb. 4, 2007

Manning finally reached the top of the football world with his first, and only, Super Bowl win at this point of his career.

He finally got over the hump many thought he would never reach in Super Bowl XLI and took his place atop the football world.

Although Manning didn't put up huge numbers (247 yards, one touchdown), he didn't need to, as his team rallied around him to get the win. 

With that, he was finally able to add "Super Bowl champion" to his already impressive resume.