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Colts defense carries Manning past New England

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns, a somewhat mild performance from the two time NFL Most Valuable Player. But it was enough to outshine Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and defeat their most important challenger on the road. Indianapolis defeated New England 27-20 to remain undefeated, with an 8-0 record, and dropping the Patriots to 6-2. It also comes a week after another road win, in Denver.

The Colts defense intercepted Brady four times. The first pickoff on the Pats` first possession (in the end zone) and the last with 1:18 minutes left to play, on the Pats` final chance. They ran the ball well, and matched the colts in most statistics. "But," Brady said, "it all gets negated when you turn the ball over."

The Colts record puts them in good company. The last team to open consecutive seasons with eight straight wins was the Green Bay Packers in 1929-31. Manning, too, has broken a personal record, with 300 passing yards in three consecutive games. With Chicago losing to Miami on Sunday, the Colts are the NFL`s only unbeaten team.