INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Peyton Manning threw for three TDs and the Colts dominated the second half Thursday night as Indianapolis began the NFL season by routing New Orleans, 41-10.
The defending Super Bowl champions displayed the same stingy defense they did in last season's playoffs, with safety Matt Giordano scoring the game's final touchdown on an 82-yard interception return.
But it was Manning who was the key during the final two quarters.
In a 10-10 game early in the second half, Manning hit Marvin Harrison on third down for 42 yards to the New Orleans two. Joseph Addai scored two plays later, and Indianapolis pulled away from there.
Manning threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Harrison in the first period and added second-half scoring throws of 29 and 45 yards -- both to Reggie Wayne. The Indianapolis quarterback completed 18 of 30 passes for 295 yards.
Addai gained 117 yards on 23 carries and Wayne caught seven passes for 122 yards.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, who led the NFL with 4,418 passing yards last season, managed 192 yards in 41 attempts Thursday night -- but most of that came long after the game was decided.
