INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Nothing personal, Peyton. Rex Ryan and the New York Jets finally got the made-for-TV ending they wanted - they beat you.
The coach who earlier this week made the game a coach vs. quarterback matchup needed a kicker to finally beat Manning.
Nick Folk kicked a 32-yard field goal as time expired Saturday night, giving the New York Jets a 17-16 playoff victory over Indianapolis.
With his main tormentor out of the way, New York (12-5) heads to New England for a third meeting next Sunday. The Colts (11-6) beat the Jets for the AFC title a year ago.
Both defending conference champs were eliminated from the playoffs Saturday. New Orleans, which beat Indy in last February's Super Bowl, lost at Seattle.
It was a remarkable turn of emotions for the Colts, who thought they won it when Adam Vinatieri made a 50-yard field goal with 53 seconds to go.
But Antonio Cromartie returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards and Mark Sanchez needed five plays to get the Jets into position for the winner.
"I'll tell you what, it feels awesome because this is the playoffs and we're moving on," Ryan said. "You know, he (Manning) is the best, and he almost did it to us again."
Manning certainly had his chances.
He was 18 of 26 for 225 yards and one TD, and got Vinatieri, considered the best clutch kicker in league history, in position with an eight-play, 48-yard drive in the final 2½ minutes.
But he left 53 seconds on the clock for New York.
After Braylon Edwards made a leaping 18-yard catch to take New York to the Colts 14, Folk's kick went right down the middle.
Tomlinson, considered washed-up by some, carried 16 times for 82 yards and scored on two 1-yard runs.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
