The huge news of the week besides Tony Romo being out four weeks was the Indianapolis Colts admitting Peyton Manning had a second knee surgery.  This is frustrating to fantasy owners that selected Manning because had they known a second surgery had taken place, they might not have invested that second round pick on him. While being mad about the Indy deception, Manning owners should secretly be fist pumping violently. Or maybe even imagining going back and forth with Drew Brees screaming, “Who’s my QB? Manning! Who’s my QB? Manning! Who’s my QB? Manning! This…Is…Peytoooon!!!! Haoo!! Haoo!!!!”  (If you have no idea what I’m talking about, watch this if you feel like laughing Click Here)

Yea that’s right, knowing Manning had another surgery makes his very slow start a lot more tolerable and makes his potential for rest of his season, money-in-the-bank.  The schedule for the rest of the season has “Most fantasy points from here on out” written all over it.  He does face Tennessee two more times, but the second encounter with them doesn’t occur until Week 17.  Most leagues have their championships Week 16, so you won’t have to worry about that one. His Week 15 and 16 opponents are Detroit and Jacksonville, two of the worst defenses against the pass so far this season.

I would be bullish on Manning for the rest of the season even if he didn’t have a favorable schedule. For the last five years Manning has proved to be match-up indifferent. Meaning he can put up a top-5 weekly score no matter who he faces. Baltimore actually might be one of the only teams he does struggle against, but he proved he is still match-up proof by crushing the Ravens, who coming into the game was the No. 1 ranked pass defense.  Yes it’s apparent that Manning is “back”, and there’s probably no need to even consider your backup QB with the better match up, the rest of the season.

There is no need to go in detail about how talented the Colts offensive personnel is, but I will briefly, for anyone that forgot. The four tremendous weapons Manning has at his disposal in Wayne, Harrison, Gonzalez, and Clark, create a passing equilibrium that no other offense can match. You can’t focus on one, or even two of these guys.  You have to account for them all.  In post-game discussions, most Colts players agreed that more practice with Manning after a preseason without him was the key.  That would explain Manning’s great timing with Harrison against the Ravens, something that was missing up until now.  Reggie Wayne agreed:

“I think he’s the same old, same old…Nothing’s changed. It’ s just a matter of time before we were able to click on, get things going and hopefully, we can use that as a springboard to continue to win.” Colts.com

Conclusion- I recommend those who do not have Peyton to try and trade for him unless you own Drew Brees. A week ago I would have told you I’d rather have Cutler than Manning but after the surgery news, Manning’s huge game, and a glance at Cutler’s playoff schedule, I’ve changed my mind. Trade for Manning straight up!!! Especially if you feel you have a great shot to make the playoffs. I’ll admit it’s going to take a ton of will power for me to propose a Cutler-for-Manning offer because I love Cutler and he has been great for three of my fantasy teams, but it is the smartest thing to do, and I’m going to propose it for least one of those three teams.