Published: November 03, 2009 11:17 pm      

NASON: Reflections on Colts’ latest win

Manning’s “off” day still pretty good.

Forty-nine degrees was the temperature at kickoff for the Colts-49ers game Sunday afternoon, and the paid attendance was 66,229. The Colts looked as if they just came off a bye week when they actually were coming off a domination game against the St. Louis Rams.

I’ve gotten some feedback from people that thought Peyton Manning was off. I didn’t think it was that bad, if you call 31 of 48 and 347 yards a bad game then I guess he did. Manning didn’t have a touchdown for the first time in over 10 games, I’ll give you that, but 347 passing yards was good enough for Matt Stover to kick four field goals.

In the postgame interviews, Manning was a little frustrated, no doubt. Manning is taking limited practice time on Fridays that started last week and he was asked if he thought that change had anything to do with his being off. Manning stated that he participated in the practices that he needed to participate in and didn’t think it had anything to do with the outcome. With Manning getting sacked and hit more than usual this game, I asked him how his knee and body felt. Manning replied that his knee was fine and was not that sore.

Joseph Addai had 20 carries for 62 yards and an average of 3.1 yards a carry. Addai also had a 22-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne in the fourth quarter to propel the Colts to an 18-14 win.

In postgame interviews, Addai stated that he was a quarterback in high school and could throw the ball left- or right-handed. Addai was asked what is more fun, running for a touchdown or passing for a touchdown. Addai stated, “I get paid to run the ball.”

The defense definitely won the game as it was a low-scoring game. Dwight Freeney got a sack and that takes him to eight consecutive games that he has gotten a sack. The Colts had four sacks and one forced fumble as well as one interception. The Colts are first in scoring defense with an average of 13 points a game. The defense allows only 112 yards rushing per game, 17th in the NFL, and like clockwork the 49ers averaged 113 yards with only one big play by Frank Gore for 64 yards in the first quarter.

All and all, the game was successful with the Colts dominating the time of possession with 33:34. The Colts had 410 total net yards. Stover earned his keep with the four field goals. The red-zone efficiency was 0-for-4 and was not like the Colts. The Colts were victorious and like great teams do they sometimes have to rely on the other side of the ball.

As always, my articles are on JeffHerrod.com.

• Ed Nason provides Colts columns to the Pharos-Tribune. He may be reached at 574-732-4100.