Record day for Manning powers Colts win

INDIANAPOLIS -- When Peyton Manning plays, records fall.\nIf Sunday was any indication, opposing teams do, too. \nManning passed for the most yards ever in a regulation playoff game, leading the Indianapolis Colts to a 49-24 win over the Denver Broncos Saturday in the RCA Dome. After setting the regular season touchdown record with 49 scoring strikes, Manning threw for 457 yards and four touchdowns, ran for another and connected on 27 of his 33 passes. \n"This was one of those times when he was in the zone, just making all the throws," said wideout Reggie Wayne, Manning's favorite target of the day. "He did a great job putting us in the right position."\nWayne hauled in roughly half of Manning's offensive output, catching 10 balls for two touchdowns and 221 yards, the third most in postseason history.\n"Reggie's had an outstanding year all season long," Manning said. "Whoever's guarding Reggie has been up for a challenge...He had a heck of a day, a heck of a day. I'm proud of him."\nColts head coach Tony Dungy said the team did a good job exploiting Broncos rookie cornerback Roc Alexander, who covered Wayne. \n"We thought they were going to play man coverage, we thought we had a good match-up over there, and we took advantage of it with Reggie," Dungy said.\nAfter punting on the game's opening series, Manning directed a nine-play, 76-yard drive ending in a high, lofted touchdown pass to fullback James Mungro. \nOn their next drive, Manning connected with tight end Dallas Clark once for 24 yards and later for 31 yards, setting up a one-yard Edgerrin James touchdown run. \nManning returned to Clark in the second quarter, throwing a 19-yard touchdown pass that Clark caught sliding to his knees in the middle of the endzone. \n"(Clark) practiced well all week, and Peyton made an effort to get him the ball early and often," Dungy said of Clark, "Dallas is a tremendous player, he's a great receiver. He's going to be a big-time tight end in this league."\nA failed Broncos onside kick set up Wayne's first touchdown and gave the Colts a 28-3 advantage at the half.\nIn the second half, Indianapolis added a Manning score on a quarterback sneak and Wayne's second touchdown. \nDenver challenged the Colts defense in the second half, outgaining them 235-134 in the half, but it wasn't enough.\nThe Colts now will turn their attention to defending Super Bowl champion New England. Manning said he's eager to atone for last year, when the Colts lost in the AFC Championship game and he threw four interceptions.\n"We haven't won up there yet," he said. "I played like an absolute dog last year, no ifs, ands or buts about it. I'd like to play better this time around so hopefully we can get a win."\nManning said he probably would not speak this week with his friend, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady who has two Super Bowl rings.\n"(The Super Bowl) is extremely important, it's what I want to do," he said. "Individually, I have accomplished a lot in a short period of time. I really have. But there's no question that we haven't won a Super Bowl since I've been a quarterback here." \nDungy said the team will savor the win for a little while and then get back to business.\n"We haven't even really thought about New England yet," Dungy said. "I told our guys it's not even time yet ... We'll get that ready on Wednesday. But playoff games are special, and they need to enjoy this one." \n-- Contact Staff Writer Gavin Lesnick at glesnick@indiana.edu.