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Manning looks to make another Thanksgiving memory

Nov 22, 2007 - 11:22 AM Indianapolis (8-2) at Atlanta (3-7) 8:15 pm EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- When the 2007 schedule was unveiled, Peyton Manning and Michael Vick were supposed to be on display on Thanksgiving.

But only Manning will be on the field Thursday when the Indianapolis Colts face the Atlanta Falcons.

While Manning brings the AFC South-leading Colts into the Georgia Dome, Vick sits in a Richmond, Virginia jail. The suspended Falcons quarterback reported to jail Monday ahead of his December 10 sentencing after pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges.

It will be the second appearance on Thanksgiving for the Manning, who staged a memorable performance in 2004 when he threw for six touchdowns in less than three quarters to lead the Colts to a 41-9 rout of the Detroit Lions.

Facing the NFL's eighth-ranked pass defense, Manning will be looking to regain his perennial Pro Bowl after enduring a pair of poor games the last two weeks.

Two weeks ago, Manning threw a career-high six interceptions in a 23-21 loss to the San Diego Chargers. Last week, he threw for a season-low 163 yards and an interception in a 13-10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Manning has been working without Pro Bowl wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who will miss his fifth straight game with a bruised left knee.

Indianapolis, which is 4-1 on the road, owns a one-game lead over Jacksonville in the AFC South.

While the Colts have the ultimate stability at quarterback, the Falcons are unsettled at the position.

After leading the Falcons to consecutive wins, Joey Harrington was replaced as the starter last week by Byron Leftwich, who had missed the last two contests with an ankle injury.

The move by first-year coach Bobby Petrino failed to pay off as Leftwich completed 15-of-28 passes for 106 yards and two interceptions in a 31-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Harrington replaced the ineffective Leftwich in the second half, going 16-of-20 for 139 yards and a touchdown. Petrino has yet to name his starter for this contest.

Atlanta is three games behind Tampa Bay (6-4) in the NFC South.

The Falcons' only appearance on Thanksgiving was a 27-7 win at Detroit in 2005.