Top > Sport > 2006 > December > 2006-12-20

Dome, sweet dome

Four touchdown passes, a near perfect 29-36 passing and no interceptions. Three touchdown receptions and 86 yards in the air. On a regular Sunday, these could be the stat lines of quarterback Peyton Manning and receiver Marvin Harrison, respectively. The most prolific passing duo in the game`s history. This week, though, coming off two road losses, it was sweeter than ever.

The Colts beat Cincinnati Bengals 34-16 Monday night, improved to 11-3 (7-0 playing at home). Not only did their offense return to winning form, so did the colts defense. The Bengals gained 278 yards, much of it after the game was already decided. Cincinnati, dropping to 8-6, are back to the tight wild card race for the playoffs.

Manning threw for four touchdowns for the 15th time in his career. His quarterback ranking of 136.3 and an eighth place in all-time career touchdown passes with 270 TDs were sweet coating. With the undefeated season dreams behind them, and getting back to form at home, the Colts seem prepared for the playoffs. "We`re playing for a lot of momentum going into the postseason and for seeding," Manning said.