Peyton Manning tells critics to 'shove it'

Peyton Manning does not appreciate the whole "Peyton Manning can't play in the cold" storyline.

And he doesn't like all you wiseacre whippersnappers spreading it around.

After completing 39-of-59 passes for 397 yards, 4 TDs and no interceptions on a day when the temperature reached a high of 20 degrees, Manning had this perfect Manning retort to questions about his cold-weather capabilities (via The Denver Post):

"Whoever wrote that narrative can shove it where the sun don't shine."

You can just about hear him saying it, a little — but not much — Southern snarl added at the end.

The narrative, like most surrounding a QB, revolves too closely around one character. The stat most referenced to prove his troubles in frigid conditions — a record of 1-8 in games when the temperature at kickoff is below 30 — tell us only that his teams have not played well in such weather.

He, on the other hand, has been fine. From the Colorado Springs Gazette's Paul Klee, written a few weeks ago:

In his past five games in cold weather, Manning averaged a quarterback rating of 102.7. That would be a season-high for Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith.

"If you look at the games since 2006, he (Manning) has almost always played well (in cold weather)," said Scott Kacsmar, a Football Outsiders expert who has researched Manning's cold-weather history. …

"There's no statistical proof he cannot play well in such weather," Kacsmar said. "What is available would suggest the complete opposite."

Manning's stats in cold weather are skewed by the fact that he spent most of his career with the Colts, who played in a dome and were therefore away for every game with temperatures of 30 or below. And sports teams — when evaluated over an extended period — struggle on the road.

Beyond that, there's not much to this. Manning might have more trouble in cold, windy conditions, but all QBs do. And Manning has dealt with those Mother-Nature related obstacles as well as anybody.