Record-Setting Day for Colts’ Manning

Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes, broke John Unitas’ franchise record for completions and led the Indianapolis Colts to scores on six of their first seven possessions in a 43-24 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday.

“The main thing our veterans are having to battle is enjoying regular-season victories,” Manning said. “All everybody wants to talk about is what are you going to do when you get to the playoffs? You hang 43 on a team, you ought to be happy about it.”

The Colts dominated the Texans, who have lost all nine games in the series.

Indianapolis (2-0) produced 515 yards, converted on eight of its first 10 third-down chances and didn’t punt until early in the fourth quarter as the record-setting combination of Manning and Marvin Harrison had another milestone day.

Manning’s second touchdown pass, 21 yards to rookie Joseph Addai in the first quarter, gave him 2,797 completions, one more than Unitas had with the Colts.

Manning was 26 for 38 for 400 yards, his seventh-highest yardage total as a pro. He has 2,820 completions in his career.

“I always feel uncomfortable, a little awkward when you’re talking about records of Johnny Unitas,” Manning said. “That’s a real special mention any time you can be in the same sentence as him.”

Harrison and Reggie Wayne also were busy.

Wayne caught six passes for 135 yards, and Harrison had seven catches for 127 yards and passed Art Monk for fifth on the NFL’s all-time receptions list. Harrison now has 943 receptions.

Houston (0-2) misfired from the start.

Less than 12 minutes into the game, David Carr had been sacked twice, the Texans had three fumbles and they trailed, 14-0.

“You can’t have things happen to you like we let happen early. That’s nervous stuff,” Coach Gary Kubiak said. “That’s no excuse, we can’t use it as an excuse.”

Adam Vinatieri connected on field goals of 39, 43 and 38 yards for the Colts.

Carr was 22 for 26 for 219 yards and was sacked four times.