NASHVILLE, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Peyton Manning shook off his recent problems Thursday to throw two touchdown passes and carry Indianapolis to a vital 30-28 victory over Tennessee.
The Colts had lost three in a row and found themselves in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years, but Manning completed 25-of-35 passes for 319 yards and was free of interceptions.
During the three consecutive losses, Manning had suffered 11 interceptions, four of them returned for touchdowns.
The Colts took a 9-point lead on Adam Vinatieri's third field goal with 2:55 to go and Tennessee produced a meaningless touchdown on the final play of the game.
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Indianapolis improved to 7-6, a half game behind division-leading Jacksonville in the AFC South. Jacksonville hosts Oakland Sunday and will visit Indianapolis the following weekend.
If the Jaguars defeat both the Raiders and Colts, they will clinch the division title and Indianapolis will likely fail to make the playoffs one year after reaching the Super Bowl.
Manning hit Pierre Garcon with touchdown throws of 1 and 19 yards in the second period to give Indianapolis a 21-0 lead. The second of those throws came two plays after Tennessee (5-9) had fumbled away a punt.
The Titans rallied within 21-14 in the third period and then trailed 27-21 after Kerry Collins hit Bo Scaife with a 4-yard touchdown throw midway through the fourth quarter.
Tennessee got the ball back with a chance to take the lead, but failed to pick up a first down and punted. Indianapolis responded by driving to the game-clinching 47-yard field goal by Vinatieri.
