Colts Extend Lead on Giants to 23-14

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Dominic Rhodes scored from 1 yard out early in the fourth quarter on Sunday night as the Indianapolis Colts extended their lead to 23-14 over the New York Giants.

Billed as Manning vs. Manning, Peyton had a slight edge over younger brother Eli through three quarters.

Peyton had completed 22-of-36 passes for 255 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Eli was 15-of-24 for 189 yards and two scores.

Trailing 16-7 at the half, Eli followed his brother's lead and took his team on a long scoring drive to open the second half. Eli found Jeremy Shockey for a 15-yard score to cut the Colts' lead to 16-14.

Peyton had opened the game by taking the Colts on a 17-play drive that took nearly nine minutes and ended with a field goal.

Not to be outdone, Eli Manning drove the Giants 69 yards on 11 plays to open the second half.

In the second quarter, Peyton Manning capped a 70-yard drive by hitting tight end Dallas Clark from 2 yards out to extend the lead to 13-0.

Late in the second quarter, Eli Manning found Plaxico Burress for a 34-yard score to pull the Giants within 13-7. On the play, Burress tipped the ball to himself.

The Colts' Adam Vinatieri ended the half with a 49-yard field goal, his third of the game on three attempts. He also hit from 26 and 32 yards.

After weeks of hype leading up to the game, there were no pregame fireworks. About two hours before the game, both Mannings spoke briefly on the field as players loosened up. An hour later, when the teams returned to the field in full uniform, Peyton Manning was booed by the sparse crowd that had begun to filter into Giants Stadium when he was the first Colts player to emerge from the tunnel.

Kate Mara, granddaughter of late Giants owner Wellington Mara, who died last year, sang the national anthem. When she finished, three Black Hawk helicopters flew over the stadium as part of a tribute marking the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.