Manning’s TDs, Colts staunch defense give Indianapolis 17-3 lead over Ravens after 3 quarters

Colts ride defense to 17-3 lead over Ravens

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning’s two touchdown passes and the Colts’ suddenly staunch defense gave them a 17-3 lead after three quarters in Saturday night’s divisional playoff game.

Manning, playing for the first time since winning a record fourth MVP, was 28 of 40 for 235 yards and one interception. The Ravens are 2-7 this season when allowing more than 200 yards passing.

With many wondering how sharp Indy would be after going nearly a month between meaningful games, Manning showed few signs of rust. And even when he did make a mistake, things still went the Colts’ way.

Manning was picked off twice in the third quarter by Ed Reed, but Reed fumbled the first back to the Colts, and the Ravens were called for pass interference on the second.

Meanwhile, the defense slowed down Baltimore’s strong running game. After the Ravens’ opening scoring drive, they ran only three more plays in Colts territory — all incompletions.

And Manning left nothing to chance.

He used up 8 minutes on Indy’s first touchdown drive, and when the Colts got the ball back with 1:26 left in the half and two timeouts, he cashed in again — thanks in part to the Ravens.

Domonique Foxworth was called for pass interference on the drive and Ray Lewis drew a personal foul, both giving the Colts first downs.

Manning took advantage with a nifty inside pass to Reggie Wayne, who stretched across the goal line for a 3-yard score with 3 seconds left to make it 17-3.

The Colts marched 54 yards on the game’s opening possession, setting up Matt Stover for a 44-yard field goal against his former team for a 3-0 lead with 10:44 left in the first quarter.

Baltimore responded in its customary fashion, draining the clock with a new wrinkle — the no-huddle ball-control offense.

Joe Flacco, who completed four passes for 34 yards in last week’s win at New England, was 4 of 6 for 55 yards on the Ravens’ first series. He took them on a 15-play scoring drive that consumed 7 minutes, 47 seconds.

As in the teams’ first meeting in November, the Ravens couldn’t get into the end zone. Instead, Billy Cundiff made a 25-yard field goal that tied it with 2:57 left in the quarter.

The Colts have dominated this series against the city they once called home. Indy has won the last seven.

Baltimore is trying to break the NFL record for playoff road victories in a decade. The Ravens and 1970s Dallas Cowboys have both won six postseason road games.

It was the Colts’ first playoff game in 2-year-old Lucas Oil Stadium, and the boos that resonated throughout the venue in Indy’s last regular-season game were replaced by loud cheers Saturday as Indy tried to end a two-game losing streak in the playoffs. Indy hasn’t won in the postseason since beating Chicago in the Super Bowl following the 2006 season.