Colts in perfect control as they cruise to playoffs
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts are making perfection look easier every week.
Now they’ll have a chance to keep their historic quest going in the playoffs, too.
With the Triplets in sync and the defence producing another physically dominant performance Sunday, Tennessee never had a chance as the Colts rolled to a 35- 3 victory to clinch a playoff spot and remain the NFL’s only unbeaten team.
“ Anything that comes along with winning, you accept it,” two-time MVP Peyton Manning said.
The Colts are the fifth team in league history to go 12-0, but must wait until next week at Jacksonville for a chance to wrap up their third straight AFC South title and first-round bye in the playoffs.
Indianapolis has won seven of its last nine by at least 17 points, averaging more than 35 points. The Colts even routed Tennessee on a day Manning threw only 17 passes, the second-fewest of his NFL career. He threw two passes in last year’s season finale at Denver.
But the latest victory epitomized how Indy continues to win — by overcoming anything opponents try.
On Sunday, the Titans (3-9) wanted to play keep-away. It didn’t work.
Manning completed 13 of 17 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns, giving him a near- perfect passer- rating of 151.2 and extending his NFL record to eight straight seasons with at least 25 TD passes.
Edgerrin James carried 28 times for 107 yards, becoming the third-fastest player in league history to top 9,000 yards. In 93 games, James has rushed for 9,067 yards. Eric Dickerson did it in 82 games; Jim Brown did it in 88.
Marvin Harrison caught four passes for 61 yards and his first reception, a 36- yarder on the Colts’ opening drive, made Harrison the 12th player in league history to top 12,000 yards receiving. Associated Press