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Colts overcome slow start to rout Panthers; Patriots next

Oct 29, 2007 - 5:06 PM CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- It took a while for Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts' offense to get rolling. But once they did, they might have sent a message to the New England Patriots - the Super Bowl Trophy still resides in Indianapolis.

Manning threw two touchdowns passes to become the franchise's all-time leader as the Colts overcame a sluggish start to rout the Carolina Panthers, 31-7, on Sunday.

Joseph Addai scored three touchdowns for the defending Super Bowl champion Colts (7-0), who set the stage for next week's battle of unbeatens with the Patriots. Colts coach Tony Dungy is not looking forward to the hype for what will be one of the most eagerly anticipated regular-season games in years.

"I think it will be a circus," he said. "I think it will be a very much hyped game. They have played great football all year. Our team has played well. I think it's going to be a big game."

"I'm sure it's going to be crazy," Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney added. "Playoff atmosphere."

The two TD passes give Manning 288 in his career, passing former Colts' legend Johnny Unitas.

"He truly was an innovator at quarterback," Manning said. "I have the achievement in perspective. Certainly, it is an honor. I've had some great guys to throw to."

It also was a milestone day for Dungy, who won his 74th game to become the winningest coach in franchise history. He had been tied with Don Shula and Ted Marchibroda.

"It's hard to believe, it really is," Dungy said. "It's a testimony to all those guys in there, our personal department and our players."

Manning spent most of the first half on the sidelines, as the Panthers (4-3) held the ball for more than 22 minutes, including a game-opening drive that consumed 11 minutes.

Manning was forced to watch as Carolina's 43-year-old quarterback Vinny Testaverde engineered an 18-play, 80-yard march, culminating in a 3-yard TD run by DeShaun Foster.

During the drive, Carolina, which has dropped five straight at home for the first time since 2001, picked up seven first downs and converted six third downs.

But the Colts' defense stiffened and a pair of turnovers hurt the Panthers, who missed an opportunity to extend their lead.

After Indianapolis went three-and-out on its first possession, Carolina's Ryne Robinson fumbled on the ensuing punt. That led to Adam Vinatieri's 20-yard field goal.

With 9:31 left in the half, Carolina linebacker Na'il Diggs stripped Ben Utecht after a short completion and safety Chris Harris recovered the fumble at the Indianapolis 28.

The Panthers came up empty, however, as Testaverde's pass on 3rd-and-4 from the 9 was intercepted by cornerback Antoine Bethea.

"The first half could have gone better, but I'm not sure it would have made a huge difference in the game the way it turned out in the second half," Carolina coach John Fox said.

With less fanfare than the Patriots, the Colts posted a pair of impressive road wins in advance of next week's showdown. Last week, they dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 29-7.

Two weeks ago, Testaverde became the oldest starting quarterback to win a game in NFL history in a 25-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. But his magical run may have ended Sunday, as he left in the third quarter with a sprained ankle.

For only the second time in his career, Manning was held to zero passing yards in the first quarter.

But the Colts' offense woke up late in the first half as Addai's 2-yard TD run with 1:33 remaining capped an eight-play, 86-yard drive.

"In my mind, that (the interception) was the turning point," Testeverde said. " Instead of being up 14-3, they go down and score and they lead at the end of the half, 10-7."

Fortunate to be ahead at the half, Manning and company went to work in the second half, wearing down the Panthers with their precision offense.

"Sometimes, you don't hit on all cylinders from the get-go," said Manning, who finished 14-of-30 for 254 yards. "We stayed patient. We finally got a little rhythm before the half and it carried over."

Manning threw both his TD passes in the third period. He tossed a 4-yard strike to Addai, then broke Unitas' mark with a 59-yard pass to Reggie Wayne, who had seven catches for 168 yards.

Manning had a third TD pass called back in the fourth quarter because of a holding penalty. It hardly mattered, as Addai ripped off a 12-yard TD run on a draw to make it 31-7 with 13 minutes remaining.