Manning displays Colts arsenal in shock and awe win

Colts 45 Bengals 37 Outduels Palmer in QB showdown Indianapolis 17th team to reach 10-0

CINCINNATI— In a game of pinball offence, Peyton Manning showed he’s still the greatest wizard of them all. He called the right plays. He made incredible passes. And, ominously, he showed that the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts are just starting to hit their stride. Manning threw three touchdown passes in an offence that reached the end zone on its first five possessions yesterday, setting up a 45- 37 victory over the awe- struck Cincinnati Bengals.

“He’s unbelievable,” Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer marveled. “They’re unbelievable.’’ They’re the 17th team to go 10- 0 and the first since Denver in 1998. With the defence faltering for the first time and Cincinnati’s defence geared to stop running back Edgerrin James, it was up to Manning to protect that perfect record. He did it with his unique flair, sizing up the defence at the line and then calling the right play to beat it. “ Peyton’s the best,” said tight end Dallas Clark, who had career highs with six catches for 125 yards. The Bengals (7-3) couldn’t stop him until it was too late. Manning went 24 of 40 for 365 yards with one interception, while James had 89 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“ It’s been a while since we’ve been in a shootout,” said Manning. Johnson gave the Bengals confidence with an early 68- yard touchdown catch and another novel celebration. He removed his helmet on the sideline, knelt in front of a cheerleader and took her hand in a mock proposal. Back at the bench, he wrote on a dry erase board: “ T. O. I Got You Baby.’’ Johnson and Palmer drove to Indianapolis to watch Manning and Marvin Harrison work their magic in a Monday night game last season, hoping to pick up some pointers.

Yesterday, they learned not to try to one-up them. Harrison had five catches, reaching 900 career receptions faster than anyone in NFL history. Johnson backed up his guarantee that the Colts couldn’t cover him. The Pro Bowl receiver had eight catches for a career- high 189 yards. But it wasn’t enough.

“ Looking at that offence from the sideline, it’s unfair,’’ Johnson said. “We’re going to see them again, believe me.’’