NASHVILLE, Tenn. — So much for the worst slump of Peyton Manning’s career.
Manning threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and the Indianapolis Colts snapped their three-game skid by beating the Tennessee Titans 30-28 on Thursday night to stay just a half-game back in the AFC South.
“Hopefully we can sort of build off this win,” Manning said. “Nobody likes losing three in a row.”
The four-time NFL MVP put his atypical struggles behind him with a crisp performance against a defense that hasn’t intercepted a pass in 14 consecutive quarters. He completed 25-of-35 passes in his 63rd 300-yard game, tying former Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino for tops on the career list.
Manning nearly had a third touchdown pass but rookie receiver Blair White broke up a pass intended for Reggie Wayne in the end zone.
“I was throwing to Reggie. I can assure you I was throwing to Reggie,” Manning said. “But like I said, that’s part of the learning process.”
The Colts (7-6) haven’t lost four straight since 2001, when their five- game slide prompted Jim Mora’s famous rant about the playoffs. They will defend their AFC South title if they win out.
“I think we’re in a four-game playoffs and this was a playoff game tonight,” Manning said.
The Titans (5-8) can blame themselves for mistakes that led to each of the Colts’ first three touchdowns, including two defensive penalties on third-and-goal and a high snap over the punter’s head.
Tennessee closed to 27-21 when Kerry Collins tossed his second TD pass of the night, a 4-yarder to Bo Scaife with 7:59 left in the game. The defense forced the Colts to go three-and-out, and the momentum seemed to swing to the Titans for the first time.
But Tennessee went three-and-out, and Manning made the Titans pay with a short pass to Pierre Garcon, who shook off Jason McCourty and Chris Hope while safety Michael Griffin whiffed as the receiver slipped up the right sideline for a 43-yard play. Adam Vinatieri kicked his third field goal, a 47-yarder that made it 30-21 with 2:55 left.
The Titans used up every second trying to rally. Collins found Scaife again for a 2-yard TD pass as time expired, and Rob Bironas kicked the extra point for the final margin.
Indianapolis 7 14 3 6 — 30
Tennessee 0 7 7 14 — 28
First quarter
Ind — James 1 run (Vinatieri kick), 2:04.
Second quarter
Ind — Garcon 1 pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick), 10:17. Ind — Garcon 19 pass from Manning (Vinatieri kick), 2:25. Ten — C.Johnson 1 run (Bironas kick), :49.
Third quarter
Ten — Stevens 7 pass from Collins (Bironas kick), 11:09. Ind — FG Vinatieri 21, 7:22.
Fourth quarter
Ind — FG Vinatieri 28, 12:55. Ten — Scaife 4 pass from Collins (Bironas kick), 7:59. Ind — FG Vinatieri 47, 2:55. Ten — Scaife 2 pass from Collins (Bironas kick), :00. A — 69,143.
Ind Ten
First downs 21 22
Total net yards 399 365
Rushes-yards 32-87 25-121
Passing 312 244
Punt returns 1-0 1-0
Kickoff returns 2-29 7-173
Interceptions ret. 0-0 0-0
Comp-att-int 25-35-0 28-39-0
Sacked-yards lost 1-7 0-0
Punts 3-42.0 4-41.3
Fumbles-lost 1-0 3-2
Penalties-yards 7-60 5-29
Time of possession 32:31 27:29
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Indianapolis, James 17-49, D.Brown 15-38. Tennessee, C.Johnson 22-111, Ringer 2-10, Kern 1-0.
PASSING — Indianapolis, Manning 25-35-0-319. Tennessee, Collins 28-39-0-244.
RECEIVING — Indianapolis, White 7-52, Garcon 6-93, Wayne 4-106, Tamme 4-36, D.Brown 3-24, Eldridge 1-8. Tennessee, C.Johnson 8-68, Britt 4-39, Scaife 4-20, Washington 3-48, Hall 3-26, Stevens 3-20, Cook 1-9, Ringer 1-8, Gage 1-6.
