Game Preview
Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers
sunday, november 23, 2008 - 8:15 pm
*Colts QB Manning returns to site of worst game*
INDIANAPOLIS (6-4) AT SAN DIEGO (4-6), 8:15 pm EST
SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- As far as Tony Dungy is concerned, the reason for the Indianapolis Colts' mini-resurgence is simple - no turnovers.
The Colts seek their fourth straight victory Sunday when they visit the San Diego Chargers in a rematch of last season's playoff game won by San Diego.
Not coincidentally, Indianapolis has gone through three straight games without committing a turnover, beating New England, Pittsburgh and Houston.
"We've turned the ball over less and less," Dungy said. "We're getting the ball quick, cutting down on our sacks. We're cutting down on a lot of the long-yardage situations we've been in."
The Colts were far from perfect in last season's regular-season game in San Diego, in fact it turned into the worst game of Peyton Manning's Hall of Fame career.
Manning threw a franchise-record six interceptions in the Colts' 23-21 loss. Remarkably, Indianapolis still had a chance to win until Adam Vinatieri missed a 29-yard field goal with 1:31 remaining.
San Diego then posted a 28-24 victory at Indianapolis in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Colts (6-4), who have pulled into a four-way tie for the AFC wild card, look to avenge both defeats Sunday and hope Manning doesn't suffer any flashbacks.
Manning has thrown seven TDs during Indianapolis' season-high three-game winning streak.
The Colts' offense is starting to look like the well-oiled unit that fans have grown accustomed to watching in recent years.
Manning engineered four consecutive scoring drives in the second half as the Colts gained a season-high 474 yards. He completed 30-of-46 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns.
In addition, Joseph Addai snapped out of his season-long slump, rushing for 105 yards and a TD on 22 carries. It marked the first time Addai has surpassed the century mark this season.
"I thought our offense really clicked - maybe for the first time all year," Dungy added. "We got our running game going and that got us some looks at one-on-one coverage on the outside."
While the Colts' five-year run in the AFC South is likely over - undefeated Tennessee still has a four-game lead in the division - they have improved their wild card hopes.
Indianapolis has pulled into a tie with the two wild-card spots with Baltimore, Miami and New England.
The Chargers (4-6) limped back to the West Coast following a bizarre 11-10 defeat in Pittsburgh - the first NFL game to end by that score.
San Diego's season could be on the line Sunday, as it has dropped two games behind Denver in the AFC West. The Chargers do play four of their final six games at home, including the next three.
Philip Rivers passed for just 159 yards - matching a season low - with two interceptions as the Chargers dropped to 0-13 all-time in Pittsburgh during the regular season.