Colts pound Cardinals 31-10 to stay undefeated

BY GARY L. SNYDER

In last weeks win at Miami, the Colts' had the ball less than 15 minutes, almost a modern day record in futility for time of possession.  So if you assumed the Colts' offense was well rested, you would be correct.  Manning completed 24 of 35 passes for 379 yards and four touchdowns while the running game finally got on track, going for a buck-twelve as the Colts stayed undefeated at 3-0 with a 31-10 win in Arizona.

Arizona would get on the board first with a Neil Rackers 38-yard field goal and were driving again when Colts strong safety Melvin Bullet would put a hit on the Cardinals Tim Hightower, jarring the ball lose for a Colts recovery inside their own 5-yard line.

The Colts would take advantage of the first of two Arizona turnovers inside the redzone and drive 95 yards, capped by a circus one-handed grab by Reggie Wayne on a 20-yard strike from Manning and the 7-3 lead. 

It would be more of the same when the Colts touched the ball again, Manning would surgically pick apart the Cardinal defense, leading the Colts on a 57 scoring drive, ending with a 10-yard Manning to Clark touchdown and a 14-3 advantage.

The Colts would make it three scoring possessions in a row when Manning would hit a streaking Pierre Garcon down the right sideline for 53 yards and the 21-3 halftime lead.  Arizona would try to get on the board again before half, but a pick off a tipped ball in the end zone from the Colts 4-yard line would end the threat.

The Cardinals would try to make a game of it to open the second half, putting together a 74-yard scoring drive and cutting the Colts lead to 21-10 on a Warner to Boldin 10-yard strike.

The Colts would again show their quick strike ability in the third quarter, moving 80 yards on just four plays, the key play being a 71-yard strike from Manning to rookie Donald Brown.  Manning and Addai would finish the drive on Manning's fourth touchdown pass of the evening, a 4-yard toss to Addai and the 28-10 lead.  The Colts would add a late Vinatieri field goal for the 31-10 win.

The Colts return to Lucas Oil Stadium next Sunday as the Seahawks come to town while the Cardinals get a much needed bye week.