Manning Sharper In Colts' Win

CINCINNATI -- Looking for improvement, rookie quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts found it Monday night at Cinergy Field.

Thanks for the boost, Cincinnati.

Manning, eager to build on last week's uneven preseason debut in Seattle, did so by steering the Colts' No. 1 offense to a 236-yard, 23-point first half.

The Colts, still smarting from the unsightly loss to the Seahawks, made partial amends by using the prolific start to ease past the Bengals 30-27 before a crowd of 41,076.

"We were a much better football team tonight than we were in Seattle," coach Jim Mora said.

The reason: a more poised Manning, a more potent offense, a more reliable kicking game.

Manning blamed his erratic play in Seattle on a hurried approach. He lowered his RPMs against the Bengals and revved up on offense that produced points -- two touchdowns, three field goals -- on five of seven possessions en route to a 23-14 first-half lead.

When Manning wasn't mixing in the pass (5-of-11, 112 yards, one touchdown), the Colts were running roughshod through Cincinnati (46 carries, 255 yards). Five different running backs rushed for at least 28 yards, led by Keith Elias' 63 yards on nine carries. Marshall Faulk carried 10 times for 49 yards and one touchdown, then spent the final three quarters watching while others worked.

Afterward, Manning had some advice for Colts fans and foes alike: Get used to it.

"That's the plan this season, to establish the run," he said. "Anytime you're running the ball, you're going to dictate some defenses. Usually that means a lot of man-to-man coverages. Then you feel like you ought to be able to throw the ball."

Which Manning did well enough to please Mora. Limited primarily to short dump-off passes against Seattle, Manning took his shots downfield Monday. All five of his completions covered at least 12 yards, that being his touchdown strike to Marvin Harrison.

Manning's bullet to Harrison was a case of deja vu. Like on their 48-yard hookup a week ago in Seattle, Manning took his three-step drop, Harrison bolted off the line of scrimmage, got inside position on the cornerback and took Manning's pass in stride and into the end zone.

Mora didn't necessarily anticipate lightning striking twice, but detected a more primed Manning during pre-game warm-ups.

"He seemed more relaxed, more poised, more confident, more in control as far as what he was going to do," Mora said.

Manning acknowledged he was a better quarterback this week than last -- "I slowed things down a little bit," he said -- but was more pleased with the progress shown by the entire team.

"I think we were hungrier after the loss," he said. "We wanted to come out, get a win and feel better about ourselves."

Sharing centerstage with Manning and the ground attack were Cary Blanchard and Mike Vanderjagt. Both are immersed in a kicking derby. Neither stumbled.

Blanchard, the incumbent, converted a 43-yard field goal in the second quarter. Vanderjagt, the challenger from the Canadian Football League, knocked down a 49-yarder in the first quarter and a 48-yarder just before halftime. He also averaged 45 yards on three punts.

Lest the Colts felt too good about themselves following their victory, Mora had ample areas to criticize.

After Faulk capped a game-opening 11-play, 71-yard drive by burrowing in from the 1, two preseason concerns enabled Cincinnati to answer in kind. First, Tremain Mack returned the ensuing kickoff 60 yards to the Colts 37. From there, the defense couldn't stiffen as running back Corey Dillon carried five times for 33 yards. His 1-yard TD knotted things at 7-all.

The Colts limited the Bengals offense to a modest 113 yards in the first half, but allowed successful conversions on 4-of-7 third-down situations.