Colts outscore Packers in home opener on strength of Manning's arm

INDIANAPOLIS -- All of the talk leading up to this week's matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the Green Bay Packers focused on the quarterbacks and the shootout the two would have. Peyton Manning and Brett Favre didn't disappoint.\nManning and Favre combined for 751 passing yards and nine touchdown passes, but it was Manning and the Colts who came out on top Sunday, 45-31, in front of 57,280 fans in the Colts' home opener.\n"We knew we were going to have to score some points," Manning said. "Our offense felt challenged going into this week against their defense and also staying ahead of their offense and outscore them. We knew we had to be on offensively."\nThe Colts (2-1) started the game with 22 straight passes and didn't rush the ball until the second quarter. Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy said he was surprised his team passed that many times without a run but said the air attack was something they planned on doing.\n"We felt we had some good matchups," Dungy said. "We knew they were going to pressure us, and we would get some one-on-ones. But that was a little bit unusual."\nBoth teams looked sharp early on, combining for 35 points in the first quarter. But the Colts continued their attack and took a 35-17 lead into halftime. The Packers responded and cut the lead to seven in the fourth quarter. Dungy knew the halftime lead was not safe with Favre behind center.\n"This was a game of two guys who didn't want to lose and have tremendous competitiveness with great personnel around them," Dungy said. "They are going to make things happen. There was no doubt in my mind that when we were up by three scores at halftime, it was still going to be tough, and it was. I hadn't seen Brett in three years, and I can't say that I miss him."\nThe play of the game came with 6:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Packers (1-2) driving for the tying score. The Colts' Jason David stripped Packers wide receiver Javon Walker of the ball, and safety Nick Harper recovered for Indianapolis. Manning led the Colts on a four-minute scoring drive to seal the win.\n"Jason made a big play, obviously a momentum changer," Dungy said. "He had a tough day. He got beaten on one coverage and made a mistake on coverage. But the thing you like about (David) he plays with a lot of energy and he keeps working. That is what you have to do in these types of games."\nManning not only won the game but also the battle between him and Favre. Manning finished the game 28 of 40 for 393 yards and five touchdowns. Favre finished 30 of 44 for 358 and four scores and completed his 4,000th pass in his career, becoming just the third person to do so. Manning praised his offensive line and his receivers for getting open.\n"That's the thing with this offense -- you have a lot of weapons," Manning said. "Obviously, Marvin (Harrison) is going to get a lot of the attention but that allows some other one-on-one matchups. Brandon (Stokley) made some great catches. So did Reggie (Wayne) ... I don't see this as a win against Brett Favre. I see this as a win against the Packers."\nManning's favorite target on the day was Wayne, who had a career-high 184 yards on 11 catches and hauled in one touchdown. Stokley also had a career-high with 110 yards on eight catches. Wayne said that as a receiver, he loves this type of offense.\n"This was just another," Wayne said. "Going into this game, we knew it would be a track meet. We prepared for it all week."\nNow the Colts prepare to take on the surprise Jacksonville Jaguars who led the AFC South with a 3-0 record after a win Sunday over the Tennessee Titans. For right now, Dungy and the Colts will relish this win.\n"We played well enough to win against a real good team," Dungy said. "We are happy about that."\n-- Contact staff writer Tyler V. \nHoeppner at thoeppne@indiana.edu.