Colts defense again proves it's up to task

BALTIMORE (AP) -The Indianapolis Colts took a page right out of the Baltimore Ravens' playbook.

The Colts' defense answered every Ravens challenge, proved more stout and more opportunistic in a game of field goals that sent Indianapolis into next week's AFC championship game with a 15-6 win at Baltimore on Saturday.

Worlds apart during the regular season, the teams' defenses were similarly tough.

But it was the second straight week the Colts' defense - long considered the team's biggest obstacle to making a Super Bowl run - delivered a surprisingly suffocating performance.

Energized by safety Bob Sanders and motivated by Baltimore's usually brash talk, Indianapolis (14-4) limited the Ravens (13-4) to two field goals, kept them out of the end zone and allowed them to convert only two third downs.

The NFL's worst rushing defense allowed a Baltimore team that thrives on running to only 83 yards on the ground.

It wasn't as impressive as last week's surprise, when the Colts held Kansas City's Larry Johnson to 32 yards rushing, but it proved every bit as effective.

The Colts (14-4) sprinted to the football, held Jamal Lewis in check, hit Steve McNair repeatedly and offset another subpar performance from two-time MVP Peyton Manning by forcing four turnovers - including two that killed potential Baltimore scores.

How good were they? Baltimore's first third-down conversion came with 4:21 left in the third quarter.

Now, instead of being the subject of jokes, it's Indianapolis' defense that has Manning one win from reaching his first Super Bowl.