Colts fans back the Mannings -- and Giants

INDIANAPOLIS -- Call it the Manning family bump.

Midwesterners loyal to the Indianapolis Colts are making a Big Blue exception this week -- rooting for the Giants, in no small part because of the tie between the teams' quarterbacks.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning is the younger brother of locally beloved Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

"We're Giants fans this week," said Steve Cockrill of Indianapolis, a die-hard Colts fan.

Fans here with ties to the metropolitan area are especially keen about the Manning connection.

"It's the best possible scenario," said Kathy Knight, who attended media day Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium with her husband, Phil.

The couple moved to Brownsburg, Ind., three years ago from Manalapan, N.J., where they were loyal Giants fans.

"Eli being Peyton's brother, you get double the love and double the fans," she said.

Another factor in the Giants' favor, Colts fans here say, is a general dislike of the New England Patriots, rooted in competing in the same division, the AFC East, for many years.

Sean Frick, a parking meter repair man at work in downtown Indianapolis, agreed that the love the city feels for Peyton Manning extends by default to Eli.

"I'm for Eli," he said. "He's a helluva kid. And I definitely dislike [Patriots quarterback] Tom Brady."

Maggie Judge, a nurse from nearby Speedway, Ind., explained her temporary loyalty to the Giants in terms of endearment. "It's because of Baby Manning," she said.

Kevin Kreutzberger, a longtime Giants fan from Southport, Ind., said supporting the New York team can be challenging here. He wore a red-and-white Giants jersey at the stadium.

"It wasn't easy last year when the Giants played here," he said. Colts fans "can be kind of rough."

But not this week.

"There's no doubt people are pulling for Eli because of Peyton," he said.

Giants fans Shawn and Kristy Jakeway agreed. The couple traveled six hours from LakeView, Ohio, to sit in the stands and catch a glimpse of their favorite players.

"I've been a fan since '86," Shawn Jakeway said. He and his wife wore home and away colors, featuring Eli Manning's No. 10 jersey.

Speaking with reporters Tuesday, the younger Manning referred often to his brother. "I'm very proud of what he's done for the Colts organization and this town," he said.

Asked if he was hoping for a Manning bump from local fans, Giants cornerback Corey Webster nodded.

"Might be," he said. "We got a little brother on our team, so that should help a little bit."