NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Peyton Manning wants people to quit worrying about him. He’s just fine, thank you very much.
Manning threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and the Indianapolis Colts snapped their three-game skid by beating the Tennessee Titans 30-28 on Thursday night to stay just a half-game back in the AFC South.
“Nobody likes losing three in a row,” Manning said. “That’s new for us. Somebody asked me if we were in a slump. I said, `I’ve been on an 8 1/2-year hitting streak.”‘
The four-time NFL MVP put his atypical slump behind him with a crisp performance against a defense that hasn’t intercepted a pass in 14 straight quarters, beating the Titans for a fourth straight time. He completed 25 of 35 passes in his 63rd 300-yard game, tying Dan Marino for tops on the career list.
Back in the state where he starred at the University of Tennessee, Manning nearly had a third touchdown pass but rookie receiver Blair White broke up a pass intended for Reggie Wayne in the end zone.
“I was throwing to Reggie. I can assure you I was throwing to Reggie,” Manning said. “But like I said, that’s part of the learning process.”
The Colts (7-6) haven’t lost four straight since 2001 when their five-game slide prompted Jim Mora’s famous rant about the playoffs. Now the only NFL team to reach the postseason in 10 of the last 11 seasons is back on track and will defend its AFC South title if it wins out.
“I think we’re in a four-game playoffs, and this was a playoff game tonight,” Manning said.
Tennessee (5-8) has lost six straight to drop 2 1/2 games behind Jacksonville in the division with three to play. The Titans can blame themselves for mistakes that led to each of the Colts’ first three touchdowns, including two defensive penalties on third-and-goal and a high snap over the punter’s head.
“Every time we play the Colts, it’s been the same thing,” safety Chris Hope said. “By the time we figure out we can play with them and compete with them, we run out of time. It’s been the same story the last few times we’ve played them.”
One fan showed up wearing a grocery bag over his head with “Jeff Fisher: A commitment to mediocrity” written on it, referring to the Titans coach.
The Titans did break out of their scoring slump, ending a 14-quarter drought without an offensive touchdown when Chris Johnson finished off a 55-yard drive with a 1-yard run with 49 seconds left in the first half. Johnson finished with 111 yards rushing.
Tennessee closed to 27-21 when Kerry Collins tossed his second TD pass of the night, a 4-yarder to Bo Scaife with 7:59 left in the game. The defense forced the Colts to go three-and-out, and the momentum seemed to swing to the Titans for the first time.
But Tennessee couldn’t pick up a first down, and fans booed when Fisher sent out the punting unit on fourth-and-1.
Manning made the Titans pay with a slant to Pierre Garcon, who shook off Jason McCourty and Hope while safety Michael Griffin whiffed as the receiver slipped up the right sideline for a 43-yard play. Adam Vinatieri ended the drive with his third field goal, a 47-yarder that made it 30-21 with 2:55 left.
“Peyton was Peyton. I’m sure he felt good about his performance, and certainly we did as well,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said.
Injury-riddled Indianapolis finished the game with just five healthy offensive linemen, making the win even more precious.
“It’s tough to do in this league,” Caldwell said. “It feels good, particularly our guys had to fight through some injuries.”
The Titans used up every second trying to rally. Collins found Scaife again for a 2-yard TD pass as time expired.
“It was good,” Fisher said. “It just happened too late.”
Collins finished with 244 yards passing and three TDs, giving him 200 for his career.
But it was Manning who really got back on track, putting the Colts up 21-7 at halftime with TD passes of 1 and 19 yards to Garcon after tossing a career-worst 11 interceptions during Indianapolis’ slide. The first TD pass was his 25th on the year, becoming the first quarterback to reach the mark in 13 consecutive seasons.
Javarris James also scored on a 1-yard plunge, his NFL rookie-best sixth rushing touchdown of the season.
Tennessee started Kenny Britt for the first time since he strained his right hamstring on Halloween, sitting Randy Moss. Collins connected with Britt twice for 23 yards. But Collins tossed a screen to Britt to open the second quarter, and Dwight Freeney hit him, knocking the ball loose. Tyjuan Hagler recovered the ball at the sideline for the Colts.
Moss finished the game without a reception.
NOTES: The Colts improved to 12-5 against the Titans with Manning. … Colts LT Charlie Johnson hurt a shoulder and backup guard Jamey Richards also hurt a hip. They did not play in the second half. … Titans DT Jovan Haye had a stinger in the first half. … Fisher tied Steve Owen for eighth all-time with 270 games coached with one team. Owen coached with the Giants between 1930 and 1953. … Collins became the 31st player in NFL history with 200 TD passes.
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