INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Peyton Manning threw five touchdown passes Sunday afternoon as Indianapolis buried the Atlanta Falcons, 38-7, to clinch a playoff spot.
Manning, who was nearly flawless, threw two scoring passes each to Brandon Stokley and Marvin Harrison. He completed 25-of-30 passes for 290 yards with no interceptions, and his 83.3 completion percentage was the third highest in franchise history behind only Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas.
Manning became the first quarterback in NFL history with 25 or more touchdown passes in five straight seasons, breaking a tie with Brett Favre and Dan Marino.
Atlanta's Michael Vick, the No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft, was just 6-of-19 for 47 yards, spoiling the debut of Falcons interim coach Wade Phillips, who took over after Dan Reeves was fired on Wednesday.
Edgerrin James rushed for 126 yards on 20 carries, his fifth 100-yard game of the season, and Harrison caught seven passes for 117 yards, his sixth 100-yard contest.
