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Manning, Colts erupt in romp of Ravens

Oct 12, 2008 - 9:45 PM INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Indianapolis Colts finally looked like the team that has dominated the AFC South for the past five seasons.

Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes in the first half Sunday - two to Marvin Harrison - as the Colts routed the Baltimore Ravens, 31-3, for their first win at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Indianapolis (3-2) has won consecutive games for the first time this season to climb over .500. The Colts pulled within two games of idle Tennessee (5-0) in the division.

"It is certainly fun to get a win, especially here at home," said Manning, whose team had been 0-4 in its new home, including a pair of preseason losses. "It's kind of disappointing that we hadn't won a home game yet."

The Colts were fortunate to enter Sunday's contest with a .500 record, having to rally from double-figure deficits to win their first two games.

The Colts erased a 15-point deficit to beat Minnesota, 18-15, on a last-second field field in Week Two, then erupted for 21 answered points in the final 4:04 to stun the Houston Texans, 31-27, last week.

On Sunday, Indianapolis did not have to worry about falling into an early hole. The Colts picked up where they left off a week ago, putting away the contest early.

"It has been a long time in coming," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "It was really good to see us play from the opening whistle."

Indianapolis built a 17-0 lead after the first quarter as Manning tossed TD passes of 67 yards to Harrison and 22 yards to Reggie Wayne.

Manning and Harrison hooked up again for a 5-yard score in the second period, giving the Colts a 24-0 halftime cushion.

That's the way we can play when we're on top of things," Dungy added. "Our special teams did a good job getting us into field position early in the game."

Saddled with poor field position throughout, the Ravens (2-3) suffered their third straight loss under rookie quarterback Joe Flacco.

Baltimore also hurt itself with five turnovers. An early tone was set when Melvin Bullitt picked off Flacco on the game's opening possession.

The Ravens were kept out of the end zone for the first time this season, and rookie coach John Harbaugh is getting frustrated.

"We didn't play very well in all three phases," he said. "We got what we deserved. That's what happens when you play the way we did."

Manning, who missed all of the preseason after having a bursa sac removed near his left knee during the offseason, has struggled to find his usual Pro Bowl form.

But the Colts' offense finally put everything together Sunday, as Manning completed 19-of-28 passes for 271 yards.

"In some way, you could say that this is my first week of the season," Manning said. "This year, it was frustrating to not be able to get my timing down."

Indianapolis lost running back Joseph Addai, who carried only twice for three yards before limping off the field with a hamstring injury on the Colts' second possession.

Addai was not missed, however, as Manning picked apart the NFL's top-ranked defense in the first half.

Manning and Harrison nearly combined for a third score in the third quarter, but Harrison was ruled down at the 1-yard line following a 34-yard completion.

Manning's apparent 63-yard TD to Wayne in the fourth quarter was called back because of a holding penalty.

Flacco, whose inexperience is starting to show, completed 28-of-38 passes for 241 yards, but most of it was after the contest was out of reach. He also threw three interceptions.

"I like the way our team continued to compete, fight, and I like the way they are going to handle adversity," Harbaugh said.