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Resurgent Colts seek fifth straight win

Nov 25, 2008 - 4:43 PM Indianapolis (7-4) at Cleveland (4-7),1:00pm, EST

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- While the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation is a mess, Peyton Manning is back in his comfort zone for the Indianapolis Colts.

Looking more and more like the team that has made six straight playoff appearances, the Colts seek their fifth straight victory Sunday when they visit the Browns.

Indianapolis heads to Cleveland after a gutsy call helped lift the Colts to a dramatic 23-20 victory at San Diego last week.

Facing 4th-and-inches at their 47 in the final minute, Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy called for a passing play.

Manning calmly completed a 14-yarder to Marvin Harrison, setting up Adam Vinatieri's game-winning 51-yard field as time expired.

The win left the Colts tied with Baltimore (7-4) and New England (7-4) in the battle for the AFC's two wild card spots.

It also pulled the Colts within three games of AFC South leader Tennessee, which suffered its first loss of the season last week, although winning the division is a long shot.

"We're playing better than we've played all year," Dungy said. "This is the time you want to do it. We have the confidence we can go into tough places and win. We've played a lot of the teams that are going to be competing for those playoff spots in the AFC and won four in a row in November."

The Colts are finding ways to win the close ones, as their four November victories have come three, four, six and three points.

"We're fighting and scratching and clawing," Manning said. "That's kind of the phrase we're using. We're just kind of finding a way and scratching and getting it done."

The Browns (4-7) appear to be in disarray following last week's horrendous 16-6 loss to the Houston Texans that likely knocked them out of playoff contention.

Making his third start after replacing Derek Anderson, an ineffective Brady Quinn was benched in the third quarter after throwing his first two career interceptions. However, Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel said he will stay with Quinn this week.

"He is not on a short leash," Crennel said. If he were on a short leash, I would have told him before game, 'If you throw two interceptions I'm going to take you out.'"

The Browns have more problems than just their quarterback play. Braylon Edwards dropped four more passes - giving him an NFL season-high 16 - and Jamal Lewis was held to 58 yards rushing.