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Indy Secures Playoff Berth

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By DAVID GINSBURG, The Associated Press

Published: December 10, 2007

BALTIMORE - The Indianapolis Colts strolled back into the playoffs with a performance that fully displayed just how far the Baltimore Ravens have fallen in 11 months.

Peyton Manning threw four touchdown passes, including the 300th of his career, and the Colts built a 30-point lead in the second quarter en route to a 44-20 victory Sunday night.

The win, combined with Tennessee's loss to San Diego earlier in the day, assured the Colts (11-2) a sixth consecutive trip to the postseason.

Baltimore (4-9) has lost a franchise-record seven straight. Coming off an inspired effort in a 27-24 loss to the unbeaten New England Patriots, the Ravens committed five turnovers, had a punt blocked and managed only 57 yards in offense through the first 30 minutes.

At halftime, with Indianapolis leading 37-7 and a driving rain making things even more uncomfortable for the home fans, well over half the crowd of 70,513 headed for the exits.

In the playoffs last January, Indianapolis failed to score a touchdown in a 15-6 victory that eliminated the Ravens. In the rematch, the Colts scored three TDs in the first quarter and two more in the second.

Manning was magnificent. After going 12-for-16 for 209 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, he followed a Baltimore turnover with a 40-yard TD pass to rookie Anthony Gonzalez to make it 44-7 with 12:37 left in the third quarter.

That ended Manning's night. He finished 13-for-17 for 249 yards and became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to throw 300 touchdown passes.
Joseph Addai scored three touchdowns, on a 19-yard reception and runs of 1 and 11 yards. Gonzalez, replacing the injured Marvin Harrison, scored the first two touchdowns of his career and had six catches for 134 yards.

Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. He was 5-for-8 for 17 yards in the decisive first half, and 19-for-25 for 132 yards and a touchdown overall.

Boller was replaced by 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith with 2:21 left. Making his NFL debut, Smith capped a 41-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.

Ind-Wayne 34 pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick), 11:19.

Ind-Addai 1 run (Vinatieri kick), 9:09.

Ind-Addai 19 pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick), 4:05.

Ind-Safety, punt blocked by Coe out of bounds in end zone, 1:57.

Second Quarter

Ind-Addai 11 run (Vinatieri kick), 11:57.

Bal-Figurs 94 kickoff return (Stover kick), 11:44.

Ind-Gonzalez 57 pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick), 6:20.

Third Quarter

Ind-Gonzalez 40 pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick), 12:37.

Fourth Quarter

Bal-Darling 4 pass from Boller (pass failed), 14:10.

Bal-T.Smith 6 run (Stover kick), :59.

A-70,513.

RUSHING-Indianapolis, Addai 13-32, Keith 5-16, C.Dawson 7-13, Sorgi 2-(minus 2). Baltimore, McGahee 17-45, Boller 8-33, M.Smith 4-7, Anderson 2-7, T.Smith 1-6.

PASSING-Indianapolis, Manning 13-17-0-249, Sorgi 3-5-0-26. Baltimore, Boller 19-25-3-132, T.Smith 3-5-0-33.

RECEIVING-Indianapolis, Gonzalez 6-134, Addai 3-49, Wayne 2-42, Utecht 2-19, Clark 1-15, Aromashodu 1-10, C.Dawson 1-6. Baltimore, Clayton 7-90, McGahee 5-7, Mason 3-30, Wilcox 2-8, Willis 1-11, McClain 1-9, Anderson 1-5, Darling 1-4, M.Smith 1-1.

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