green machine
I rule at posting
I know what you mean but there is no way to guess at how the entire 2nd half would have gone. A pick-6 to end the half is far different than a pick-6 to effectively end the game. Neither are good of course but being in a hole is far different than having the door shut in your face.
Unfortunately for Manning, that play only reinforces the stigma that is already attached to him. Many other HOF QB's have lost Super Bowls but it's uncommon for one of them to throw the game away like that. The "great" ones drive down and tie or win the game in that situation. Throwing that pick-6 will hold far more significance in Manning's career than it would someone else's.
It won't remove him from greatness but that type of play in that type of game is going to stick.
7 points is 7 points, Warner's pick was just as bad. The only difference is when it happened. Each were bad mistakes that cost their team dearly.
Neither should have any impact on how the QBs are remembered, though, as getting to the Super Bowl and not winning should not be used as an indictment.