For the record: Peyton Manning is the NFL MVP, not Tom Brady. When Brady went out for the season a few years back, his team went 11-5. When Manning went out for this season, the Colts are 0-8. Manning is far more valuable to the Colts than Brady is to the Pats. That said, this isn't good news: Peyton Manning Still Waiting for Neck to Heal. "Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said Thursday that he hopes to return to practice this year and still holds out hope of playing if doctors say he is finally healed from his Sept. 8 neck surgery."