INDIANAPOLIS – Peyton Manning keeps finding new winning formulas, and the Colts keep making history.
Instead of another patented comeback or impressive air show, Manning opened December by playing keep away from Tennessee and leading the Colts to a 27-17 victory for their record-tying 21st consecutive regular-season win.
“You try to tell these guys that when you win a couple in a row, or three or four in a row, this is not normal,” Manning said. “It’s not normal to win 10 or 11 or 12 games every year. But these guys that have been here five years would tell me it is normal for us. That’s all they’ve done.”
For Indianapolis (12-0), the milestones all seem commonplace. Sunday’s list included:
•Matching New England’s record, set from 2006-08, with a chance to break it next week at home against Denver.
•Extending their NFL record of consecutive 12-win seasons to seven.
•Remaining undefeated, the first time in league history two teams – New Orleans is also 12-0 – have been unbeaten this late in the season.
•And tying the 1990s San Francisco 49ers for most wins in a decade (113), a mark they could also break against Denver.
“It (the record) is one of those things we talk about. We kind of identify the milestones on Wednesday morning when we get in. We talk about some of the things we’re accomplishing,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “The guys appreciate it, but it’s not something that goes to their heads.”
Manning took a page out of Tennessee’s playbook, relying an effective ground game and a ball-control offense to stymie the Titans.
Tennessee (5-7) was the last team to beat the Colts, on Oct. 27, 2008, and it wanted to bookend the streak.
While Chris Johnson ran for 100 yards in his seventh straight game, tying Earl Campbell’s franchise record, and finished with 113 yards, the Titans struggled in the red zone.
Twice in the second half, the Titans went for it on fourth down deep in Colts’ territory and failed both times. Tennessee also recovered an onside kick after scoring a late touchdown, then turned the ball over on downs.
“We just didn’t finish in the red zone,” quarterback Vince Young said. “Our guys made some big plays, but we just didn’t finish.”
Joseph Addai ran 21 times for a season-high 79 yards and two touchdowns for the Colts. Manning was 24 of 37 for 270 yards and one TD, Pierre Garcon caught six passes for a career-high 136 yards and the combination of quick scores in the first half, and Manning’s ability to run clock in the second sealed Tennessee’s fate.
