Colts, Manning beat up Washington 36-22

INDIANAPOLIS -- Washington knocked Peyton Manning around for a half. Then Manning knocked out the Redskins.\nAfter being bent over awkwardly twice in the first half and once appearing hurt, the two-time MVP responded with three third-quarter touchdown passes, leading Indianapolis to a 36-22 victory Sunday.\nIn the previous three games, Manning needed late drives to secure victories. Against Washington, Manning made it easier on himself by opening the second half with three straight touchdown drives. Indy remained the AFC's only unbeaten team and became the ninth team in league history to start 6-0 in back-to-back seasons.\nWashington (2-5) lost its third straight and saw its playoff hopes take a big hit.\nThey can blame Manning. He dominated the second half with his quick drives and shrewd moves in a game that had nearly as many oddities as a Washington political scandal.\nColts defensive tackle Montae Reagor was involved in an automobile accident en route to the game, leaving him hospitalized with a head wound.\nThe teams' biggest stars, Manning and Washington running back Clinton Portis, also were hurt in the first half. While Manning didn't miss a play, Portis left briefly after being hit with a helmet near his groin. He returned on the next series.\nThen there was the game. Washington took its only lead on Antwaan Randle El's 87-yard punt return, which came in the midst of four personal fouls by the Redskins in about a two-minute span. The last two forced Washington to kick off from its 5 .\nManning, battered but not shaken, looked like himself aside from the face full of rubber chips from the turf and the neck rub he needed after the first big hit.\nHe finished 25-of-35 with four touchdowns.\nMarvin Harrison followed suit. He had seven catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns.\nBut this was what the Colts had been waiting for.\nNewcomer Anthony McFarland, who replaced Reagor in the starting lineup, stuffed the Redskins' first two runs and negated Washington's ground game as Portis managed only 43 yards on 12 carries. Ladell Betts ran 10 times for 52 yards.\nMeanwhile, the Colts hardly looked like a team coming off a bye.