COLTS HAMMER CARDS BEHIND MANNING’S 4 TD PASSES

The Indianapolis Colts remained undefeated on the 2009 NFL season with a win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, thanks to an amazingly efficient passing performance from Peyton Manning.  Manning threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns against one interception, and the Colts had no trouble with the host Cardinals en route to a 31-10 victory.  Cards QB Kurt Warner put up decent yardage numbers, throwing for 332 yards but only threw one touchdown while serving up two interceptions.  Indianapolis improved to 3-0 with the win, while Arizona dropped to 1-2.

NFL betting devotees who took the Colts as +3 road underdogs cashed their tickets with the outright victory.  The Colts are now 2-1 against the spread, while Arizona dropped to 1-2 against the number.  The 41 combined points scored went UNDER the posted total of 48’.  Both teams have now gone UNDER in two of three NFL regular season games this year.

Colts’ defensive end Dwight Freeney said that the key to the victory was pass protection—Manning had plenty of time to operate in the pocket while Warner didn’t:

"I think that was the key to the game, personally. Our offensive line did a great job protecting Peyton, giving him time to find his receivers. And then I think collectively as a defense we put pressure on Warner and had him uncomfortable all game."

Arizona defender Darnell Dockett marveled at Manning’s ability to call the right plays at the right time:

"He knew what plays to call at the right time and we couldn't stop them."

Colts’ coach Jim Caldwell said it’s easy to take Manning’s brilliance for granted:

"The thing is that we constantly have to make certain that we don't take it for granted. He's had some just unbelievable games. ... I think he amazes us every time he does it, but he does it so often if you don't watch yourself you can think that it's commonplace, but it certainly is not."

Manning took most of the first quarter getting his feel for the Cards defense, but went to work in the second quarter as he shredded Arizona for 21 points on three touchdown passes:

"We were kind of figuring things out as we went along. Once we got into a comfort zone, we really executed from there."

The Colts will try to stay on the winning track as they host the Seattle Seahawks this weekend.  The Colts are a -10’ home favorite with the total set at 44.  They’ll play on the road against the Tennessee Titans the following weekend and again after their bye week, traveling to St. Louis to face the Rams on October 25.  Arizona will host the Houston Texans this Sunday.  The Cardinals are off this weekend and will host the Houston Texans on October 11th.  That’ll be followed by two straight road games against Seattle and the NY Giants.