By Mark Barden

He's the face of the NFL, an all-American sporting thoroughbred, but Peyton Manning is still viewed by many as an underachiever.

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The Indianapolis quarterback has the kind of commercial porfolio that the US-bound David Beckham would appreciate - worth $11m in 2006 alone.

The son of former New Orleans QB Archie, and older brother of New York Giants signal-caller Eli, he has the pedigree to go with his undoubted talent.

But, until this season, the 30-year-old had never taken the Colts to the Super Bowl in his eight previous campaigns with the team.

Indianapolis reached the NFL finale after Manning guided them to a thrilling 38-34 comeback win against New England in the AFC title decider.

The Colts looked dead and buried at 21-3 down at the RCA Dome, but Manning took control in the second half.

He sealed victory for the home side with a seven-play, 80-yard drive which rookie Joseph Addai capped with a three-yard touchdown run.

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It was the biggest-ever comeback victory in an NFL Conference Championship game.

Manning, a two-time NFL MVP, was asked afterwards whether he felt vindicated by booking a trip to Miami for Colts.

"That's the number one question I've been asked so far," he said, clearly weary of being quizzed about the "monkey" on his back.

"I don't get into monkeys and vindication. I just don't play that card," he added.

Manning has been the league's most prolific passer over his first nine seasons in the league.

But in the play-offs, he had a 5-6 record going into the crucial contest against New England.

The 2006-07 post-season had seen him throw one touchdown pass and five interceptions.

Can Manning and coach Tony Dungy mastermind victory over the Bears?

In his college career with Tennessee, Manning was also dogged by a reputation for failing to get results in the biggest games.

But now he is one win away from gridiron's ultimate prize. Only Chicago - 39-14 winners over New Orleans in the NFC decider - stand in his way.

Victory over the Bears and their ultra-efficient defence at Dolphins Stadium may finally silence the doubters - or maybe not.

"There's probably always something else they'll be talking about," Manning conceded.

"I watched a pretty good amount of that Bears-Saints game," he added about Chicago's 39-14 mauling of the Saints.

"We know what kind of challenge we face. It was not a great feeling, seeing how good the Bears are and how good that defence is."