Peyton's Place: Manning leads Colts over Saints in NFL opener

Sep 7, 2007, 3:51 GMT

Indianapolis, IN - Peyton Manning threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Indianapolis Colts over the New Orleans Saints, 41-10, at the RCA Dome in the NFL's season opener.

Manning completed 18-of-30 passes and Joseph Addai ran for 118 yards and a touchdown for the defending Super Bowl champion Colts (1-0), who scored 34 straight points to end the game to secure their third straight win in a season opener.

Reggie Wayne had seven catches for 115 yards and two scores, and Marvin Harrison added four receptions for 83 yards with a TD for Indianapolis, which trailed 10-7 late in the first half before rallying.

Drew Brees was held to only 192 yards passing, completing 28-of-41 passes with two interceptions, for the Saints (0-1), who advanced to the NFC Championship Game last season before falling to the Chicago Bears. Reggie Bush ended with only 47 total yards, 38 rushing, seven receiving and two on punt returns, for New Orleans, which was held without an offensive touchdown for the first time with Brees at quarterback.

'They played better than us,' said Saints head coach Sean Payton. 'We struggled to generate the point offensively in the first half and it carried over into the second half.'

Defensive back Jason David returned a fumble 55 yards for the Saints, who last went without an offensive touchdown on December 24, 2005. David, though, was also picked on by Manning, as he gave up three touchdowns.

'Anytime you play your former team you want to play your best game,' said David, who played for the Colts his first three seasons in the league before coming to New Orleans this year. 'I went out there and didn't have my best game.'

With the game tied 10-10, the Colts took their opening possession of the second half 72 yards for a touchdown. The big play of the drive was a 42-yard Manning completion to Harrison that brought the ball down to the two-yard line. Two plays later Addai busted in for a 17-10 lead.

The Saints went three-and-out on their ensuing possession and the Colts increased their lead. This time Manning hit Wayne with a 28-yard touchdown strike with 6:11 left in the quarter to make it a two-touchdown game.

Adam Vinatieri, who started the scoring surge with a field goal at the end of the first half, added a 33-yarder 48 seconds into the fourth quarter for a 27-10 lead. The scoring drive was set up when Brees was picked off by Freddie Keiaho.

Manning and Wayne put the game well out of reach under five minutes later, connecting for a 45-yard touchdown strike for a 34-10 advantage.

Brees later lost a fumble to end a possession and was picked off by Matt Giordano, who returned it 82 yards for the final score of the game with just 55 seconds left.

'Our defense played great all night,' said Manning. 'If our defense can do that all year it sure will help us.'

The touchdown was the first in Giordano's career.

'Sometimes you get the bear, Sometimes the bear gets you,' said Brees. 'Tonight, the bear got us.'

'I thought it was going to be tough to hold these guys (Saints) down,' said Colts head coach Tony Dungy. 'They have a special offense.'

After Olindo Mare missed a 52-yard field goal with just over six minutes left in the opening quarter, the Colts needed eight plays to capitalize as Manning hit Harrison with a 27-yard touchdown pass with 1:36 remaining for a 7-0 lead.

New Orleans responded, but it was the defense that did the work. David, who was beaten for the touchdown, picked up Wayne's fumble and ran 55 yards for a score nearly 3 1/2 minutes into the second quarter.

Then, after holding the Colts to a three-and-out, Mare nailed a 34-yard field with 6:26 left in the half for a 10-7 cushion.

The Colts sent the game into halftime tied when Vinatieri hit a 33-yard field goal with 45 seconds to play.

Game Notes

Addai left the field after the first play of the game following a hard hit to his midsection, but returned for the second series...The last time the Saints were held without an offensive touchdown, they lost 13-12 to Detroit. Then- kicker John Carney hit four field goals in that contest...Newly acquired tight end Eric Johnson led the Saints' receivers with 57 yards on eight catches...Deuce McAllister had only 38 yards rushing on 10 carries.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

.