Freeney leads Colts defense in win over Browns

INDIANAPOLIS -- When the 57,127 fans at the RCA Dome came to their feet to cheer on the team's starting lineup Sunday, some of the most familiar names weren't called. \nThat's because the Colts' defensive unit, which has allowed only 16 points this season, was the one hearing the roar as they exited the tunnel. \nIndy rode another solid defensive performance and an unrelenting running game as it improved its record to 3-0 Sunday in a 13-6 victory over Cleveland.\n"These are the type of games I love, it feels real good," said defensive end Dwight Freeney, who had three sacks.\n"I got double-teamed, and a couple triple-teams today, but the (blockers) just made me laugh," Freeney said.\nThe defense battered the Browns' offensive weapons while Edgerrin James ran 27 times for 108 yards and scored on a 2-yard run. Mike Vanderjagt also made two short field goals. The Colts have allowed less than six points per game this season.\n"We tried to play with them, but we made too many mistakes to give ourselves a chance to win the game. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot," said Browns head coach Romeo Crennel, citing several taunting penalties against Cleveland's receivers and a kick return touchdown that was called back on a blocking penalty. \nCrennel's defense was solid, often dropping everyone to guard the Colts' receivers, but the Brown's offense only managed six points, all from kicker Phil Dawson.\n"Stuff like that you can't do against this football team, particularly in their place," Crennel said.\nDespite the Colts' victory, Indy's passing game continued to sputter as quarterback Peyton Manning went without a touchdown for the second straight game. Manning knows Crennel's defense all too well, as the coach often gave the Colts' star trouble when he was the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. \n"Obviously it's going to be news that we didn't throw a touchdown," said Manning, who was 19 of 23 for 228 yards and one interception. He also became the second fastest player to reach the 30,000 yard passing mark for his career. Manning accomplished the feat in his 115th game, only one game slower than Miami's Dan Marino, who did it in 114 games. \n"People think I'm a numbers guys, but to me it's all about winning," Manning said. "They stayed in zone coverage all day, but if that's how teams are going to play us, than that's how we have to play."\nColts head coach Tony Dungy cited injuries and mistakes for the offensive struggles, but suggests that the offense is the last thing he is worried about.\n"Our offense is just not playing on all cylinders. We did a lot of things we wanted to do. We didn't finish our drives in the red zone the way we like," Dungy said.\nJames echoed Dungy's sentiment.\n"(The offense) is going to take off, that's not even a concern," James said. "It's just little things here and there, and we're going to put up some points, no problem."\nThe Colts will open a two-game road stint Sunday when they travel to Nashville, Tenn., to face the 1-2 Titans.