MINNEAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts were overwhelmed at the line of scrimmage again, and the swarming Minnesota defense frequently pounded Peyton Manning into the Metrodome turf.
But the Colts put the Manning touch on another impressive rally, thanks to a handful of clutch completions near the end by their stalwart quarterback, and reminded the Vikings it’s just not possible to win without throwing the ball.
Manning passed for 311 yards and moved Adam Vinatieri in position for the winning field goal with three seconds left, leading Indianapolis to an 18-15 victory Sunday after Minnesota led 15-0 late in the third quarter.
“We played a lot of man, got in their face, got a lot of pressure, but it wasn’t enough,” said Antoine Winfield, who had one of the two interceptions off Manning. “He’s been around. He’s seen it all. You can never rattle him, I don’t think.”
Not since his rookie season in 1998 have Manning and the Colts started a season 0-2.
The Vikings (0-2) wasted more dominant defense, done in by a handful of critical lapses and repeated failure to figure out that pesky old forward pass. Adrian Peterson rushed for 118 of his 160 yards in the first half, and Minnesota was across midfield on its first eight possessions.
The prize for that? Five field goals by Ryan Longwell and three punts.
“It’s real frustrating,” said wide receiver Bernard Berrian, who had no catches. “It’s kind of embarrassing, actually, to go out there and just have field goals all day.”
Outgained on the ground 183 to 53 yards in last week’s 29-13 loss to Chicago, the Colts were outrushed this time 180-25.
Three-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday (knee) sat out again, tight end Dallas Clark (knee) didn’t play and left tackle Tony Ugoh (groin) was also lost to injury. The defense lost star safety Bob Sanders (ankle), too.
Manning hasn’t looked all that sharp since coming back from summer knee surgery, but he’s clearly still one of the NFL’s best.
He finished 26-for-42 and was sacked by Jared Allen and E.J. Henderson.
“Our running game is — it’s hard to call it a running game right now,” Manning said. “We don’t have much of that. We have a pretty one-dimensional team.”
