Manning is MVP for the third time

Peyton Manning was named the NFL’s most valuable player by the Associated Press, joining Brett Favre as the only players to win the award three times.

The Indianapolis Colts quarterback was a landslide winner Friday in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. Manning also was the league MVP in 2003, when he shared it with Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair, and in 2004. The award has been given by the AP since 1961.

Manning received 32 votes, far ahead of Miami quarterback Chad Pennington (four) and Atlanta running back Michael Turner (four).

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Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel was held out of practice because of a hip injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s divisional playoff game against Minnesota. . . . Buffalo Bills safety Ko Simpson was arrested outside a bar in his hometown of Rock Hill, S.C., after he refused to leave officers alone as they arrested another man, according to a police report. Simpson was in a car that was speeding through the parking lot of Celebrations bar about 2 a.m. New Year’s Day.