McNair Plays Through Pain

If sore ribs and turf toe can’t stop Steve McNair, the Indianapolis Colts certainly didn’t have much of a chance.

McNair missed practice for a second week in a row because of pain in his ribs. But he looked physically sound Sunday, completing 19 of 23 for 237 yards and a touchdown as the Titans beat the Colts, 27-17, Sunday in a matchup of AFC South leaders.

“To do what he did today and last week without the benefit of practice is really unbelievable,” Colt Coach Tony Dungy said.

McNair completed 14 consecutive passes at one point, and kept drives alive by scrambling for 49 yards despite turf toe on his right foot.

“It goes back to high school when my coach told me that when you’re in pain, you tend to stay more focused on what you have to do,” McNair said. “I took that to heart, and I think that’s how I play now.”

The victory gave Tennessee (8-5) -- which also got two rushing touchdowns from Eddie George -- a sweep of its season series with the Colts. The Titans have won seven of their last eight games.

Indianapolis (8-5) outgained Tennessee on offense, 389-348, but 202 of the Colts’ yards came when they were trying to play catch-up. Colt quarterback Peyton Manning, who will have some swelling in his knee checked by a team doctor today, threw for 297 yards and one touchdown but had three passes intercepted.

Colt receiver Marvin Harrison, who dropped one pass in the end zone, improved his reception total to 640 to break Raymond Berry’s franchise record.