Playing Baltimore Ravens a "grind" and a "challenge," Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning says

Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning
Tom Gannam/AP Photo

As Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning sees it, the challenge isn't significantly different from a week ago.

The Colts last week beat the New England Patriots, 35-34, in one of the most memorable, dramatic, controversial games of the 2009 NFL regular season, and while the unbeaten Colts' game this week won't draw the same national attention, to Manning, the circumstances are similar.

That's because as is the case with New England, the Ravens are a familiar opponent, one the Colts seemingly play every season with much at stake.

Manning said the Ravens have something else in common with the Patriots.

They're really good.

“It [playing Baltimore] is a grind,” Manning said Wednesday afternoon as the AFC South-leading Colts (9-0) prepared to play the Baltimore Ravens (5-4) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. Sunday at 1 p.m. “It’s a tough challenge. Like New England, it’s almost become like a division game. W

“It’s a very familiar opponent, but it is a physical and mental challenge.”

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The Colts, one of two unbeaten teams remaining in the NFL along with New Orleans, have won a franchise-record 18 consecutive regular-season games, which is tied with New England (2003-2004) for the longest such streak in NFL history. The Patriots hold the record with 21 consecutive regular-season victories from 2006-2008.

A playoff team the last seven seasons and the AFC South Champions from 2003-2007, Indianapolis leads the AFC South by four games over Houston and Jacksonville. The Cincinnati Bengals currently have the AFC's second-best record (7-2).

Baltimore is in its second season under Head Coach John Harbaugh, and its first under defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who this past offseason replaced Rex Ryan, now the head coach of the York Jets.

“He [Ryan] is not there, so it's a different defensive coordinator and any time that happens, there's going to be change," Manning said. "You don't know if they will play us differently than they have in the past, but the things that are consistent are some of the same players.

"If you have [middle linebacker] Ray Lewis, if you have [safety] Ed Reed – [outside linebacker Jarrett] Johnson's having a good year at the outside linebacker . . . It's a little bit of, 'prepare for what you see, but be prepared as always for something different and be able to adjust to it.' ”

The Colts have won six consecutive games against Baltimore, winning regular-season games in 2002, 2004-2005 and 2007-2008 and winning at Baltimore, 15-6, in an AFC Divisional Playoff game. Indianapolis beat the Ravens 44-20 in 2007 and 31-3 last season.

“With these guys, you kind of have to be aggressive and patient,” Manning said. “It's kind of two opposites, but I believe in that. There can be some negative plays, but you hope your negative plays are throwaways, but not turnovers, not game-changing plays where you put your team in a tough situations. They're an aggressive bunch. You have to always be on your toes at all times.”

“They do a great job of stripped balls, and tipped balls. Ed Reed always seems to come across the field and catch them, then they're looking to lateral and all of that. You have to protect the ball and have to stay out of penalties and 3rd-and-long situations. Those get tough to overcome.

“You just have to be good in the basic fundamentals of football, then you have to make some plays. They're tough against the run. They're tough on third down. They're a stingy bunch.”

And while Manning was asked about a letdown considering the team's 9-0 record and considering the emotional nature of the victory over New England, he said he doesn't see that being an issue.

“We have enough veterans around here that can show the way,” Manning said. “I think it helps that you’re playing the Baltimore Ravens, a team that we are very familiar with and very familiar with how good of a team they are.

“[I] don’t look at their record every time we play them. It’s just a dogfight. Their defense is what we [the Colts’ offense] focus on. They have a lot of the same guys, a tremendous scheme. From that standpoint, it’s really not hard because you better have a good week of practice and a great week of preparation, mentally and physically."

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