Peyton Manning officially retired Monday after 18 NFL seasons spanning 265 regular-season starts. His career record in those starts: 186-79, a winning percentage just a tick over 70 percent. Winning seven of every 10 games in the NFL is a mighty fine way to make a career.
He retires with some impressive credentials and this interesting distinction: There are five NFL teams that never beat Peyton Manning — and one of them is the Vikings. (The other four: Cleveland, Arizona, Detroit and Tampa Bay)
The Vikings faced Manning in 2000, 2004 and 2008 when he was with the Colts and for the final time in 2015 when Manning was with the Broncos. Each time, Manning's team won — including the past three times by a field goal that came in the final two minutes.
Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. michael.rand@startribune.com.
comings, goings The best place to keep up with Vikings staying, leaving or arriving is the Access Vikings free agent tracker on startribune.com.
2012 revisited The release of Robert Griffin III on Monday is a reminder not to get too upset about the NFL draft.