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INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) --
Chad Pennington
earned his first playoff win at the expense of
Peyton Manning
last January. The two quarterbacks duel again on Sunday when the
New York Jets
visit the
Indianapolis Colts
.
Manning, a three-time Pro Bowler and the only quarterback in NFL history with 3,000 passing yards in each of his first five seasons, fell to 0-3 in the playoffs in quite embarrassing fashion - a 41-0 loss to the Jets in the wild card round last January.
That was the first postseason game for Pennington, who passed for three touchdowns and directed the Jets to seven scores in nine possessions. He completed 19-of-25 passes for 222 yards for a quarterback rating of 142.0.
The Jets recorded their first-ever postseason shutout and more than doubled Indianapolis in yardage, 396-176.
While Pennington showed maturity beyond his years, Manning appeared confused by New York's coverages and had little success with his constant audibles, completing just 14-of-31 passes for 137 yards with two interceptions for a quarterback rating of 31.2.
"I remember not a whole lot went right that day," said the 27-year-old Manning. "We couldn't get going offensively and the Jets offense got into a rhythm."
It didn't help Manning that he had no support from his running game. Two-time rushing champion
Edgerrin James
was rendered a non-factor by the Jets, rushing for just 12 yards on eight carries in the first half.
The Jets also held Colts Pro Bowl receiver
Marvin Harrison
to just four catches for 47 yards. In 2002, Harrison set an NFL single-season record with 143 catches for 1,722 yards.
While Manning received little help from his supporting cast, Pennington benefited from a rushing attack which produced 180 yards.
Curtis Martin
gained 67 yards on 15 carries and backup
LaMont Jordan
had 102 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
But the Colts get a chance to show how far they have come from that playoff game Sunday on their home turf. In Tony Dungy's second year as coach, the Colts are tied with Tennessee (7-2) for first place in the AFC South.
After making the postseason in each of Herman Edwards' first two years as coach, the Jets do not appear headed to the playoffs this time, but they are 1-1 in the two starts by Pennington, who was sidelined with a broken and dislocated wrist.
In his first start two weeks ago, Pennington threw for four touchdowns, including three to
Santana Moss
, in a 31-28 overtime loss to the
New York Giants
. Last week, Pennington passed for 269 yards and two scores in a 27-24 win at Oakland. Moss had six receptions for 146 yards, including a 65-yard TD.
Manning has passed for 2,475 yards and 18 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Harrison is again his top receiver with 56 catches for 777 yards and seven touchdowns.
But Harrison left last week's 28-23 loss to Jacksonville with a hamstring injury after catching a 30-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and is questionable for this Sunday.
James needs just 75 yards to surpass Lydell Mitchell as the Colts' career rushing leader (5,487 yards). But James had just 44 yards on 15 carries in the loss to Jacksonville and was not on the field when Indianapolis held a 23-21 lead in the final minutes and needed a first down to seal the win.
The Colts lead the series, 38-27.
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