NFL Manning enjoys third perfect passing rating in Colts' victory

His six TD passes in a road game exceeded coach Tony Dungy's expectations.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Peyton Manning had a perfect day, and the Indianapolis Colts gave coach Tony Dungy what he had been expecting.
"It was one of those days where our offense probably played about as well as we could," Dungy said Monday, after Sunday's 55-21 victory over New Orleans left the Colts at 4-0.
Peyton Manning produced his first perfect passer rating -- 158.3 -- since Nov. 10, 2002 and the third of his career. His six touchdown passes were a franchise record and one short of tying the NFL record.
The NFL rating is based on a combination of factors that include percentage of completions, yards gained per attempt, percentage of touchdown passes and percentage of interceptions.
Optimistic
Unhappy with a three-field goal performance in the season opener and a mediocre offensive performance against Tennessee in the second game, Dungy predicted the offense would be in sync within two to three weeks.
But six TD passes in a road game exceeded that expectation.
"We've been able to stay away from penalties and turnovers and we've got a lot of guys who can make plays," Dungy said. "We've just been practicing well, and our running game has been making strides."
The three-pronged rushing attack of Ricky Williams, Dominic Rhodes and James Mungro ran 25 times for 100 yards in place of Edgerrin James, who has a back injury. Williams and Rhodes also caught TD passes.
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison burned the Saints with six receptions for 158 yards and three touchdowns.
Indianapolis faces defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay and the league's top defense next Monday night. Six days later, the Colts host the Carolina Panthers, who have another one of the league's top-ranked defenses.