Clayton: NFC strength due to Manning

Written by Todd Smith | 28 December 2011

John Clayton of ESPN notes that the NFC took advantage of a weaker AFC this year due in part to Manning's absence:

There is no need for the NFC to get cocky about this year's success because it could be fleeting. Peyton Manning's neck injury helped change the balance. Because Manning's no-huddle offense is a matchup nightmare for NFC teams that see Indianapolis only once every four years, the Colts usually go 3-1 or 4-0 against the NFC. This year they were 0-4. Plus, the AFC South was in a quarterback transition and went 5-11 against the NFC North.