INDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Peyton Manning made things look easy Sunday. Sixteen plays, 10 points, take a breather.
Everyone else found out how tough the NFL really can be when you’re not the four-time league MVP — even if it is only the preseason.
Running back Michael Robinson fumbled on the 49ers’ first play, David Carr was sacked three times and the San Francisco receivers struggled to hold on to Alex Smith’s passes.
Fortunately for San Francisco, Manning’s backup, Curtis Painter, played even worse. The 49ers took advantage of Painter’s three interceptions and a botched handoff late in the first half, scoring 34 straight points to rally for a 37-17 victory.
“I think he didn’t play as well as he’d like to, but he needed some help too,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said of Painter. “The things that are hidden, dropped passes, the things you need to extend drives, you need guys to do their jobs, and we certainly didn’t play as well as we wanted.”
The game did rekindle some old memories, though.
Manning was in midseason form, going 8-of-10 for 91 yards and leading the Colts to scores on their first two drives just minutes after accepting the MVP trophy.
