Edgerrin James lit up the Seahawks for three touchdowns on Sunday.(AP)

James broke out in a big way Sunday, rushing for three touchdowns and a franchise-record 219 yards, leading the Colts over the Seattle Seahawks 37-24.

James carried 38 times and scored on runs of 26, 3 and 2 yards, the second time in his two-year career he's had three TDs in a game. He easily topped the 198-yard performance by Norm Bulaich against the Jets on Sept. 17, 1971.

"The last couple of weeks, I've been trying to make stuff happen, instead of waiting for things to open up," James said. "I always hope to have a big game. But this won't be the last time I have a game like this.

"This is the beginning of my career."

It was James' first game against Seattle, and the Seahawks cannot be looking forward to the next one. Seattle (2-5) had not allowed a single back to gain 200 yards against them since Denver's Terrell Davis had 208 on Oct. 1, 1998.

James ran for 82 yards in the first quarter alone as Indianapolis (4-2) completed a three-game road trip.

He had clear running lanes, thanks in part to a solid passing game. Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison had 134 yards on seven receptions, his fifth 100-yard performance in six games this season, and ninth out of 11 going back to 1999.

"I give all the credit to the offensive line and the receivers. They stayed on their blocks, and that gave me the chance that I needed," James said. "We were committed to the run."

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning bounced back from his poor performance a week earlier, when he threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter of a 24-16 loss to New England. He threw one touchdown pass against the Seahawks and finished 20-for-30 for 281 yards.

For Seattle, the loss spoiled Brock Huard's solid home debut as the Seahawks quarterback. Huard, who supplanted Jon Kitna as the starter a week ago, threw three scoring passes in his first NFL start at Husky Stadium, where he played in college for the University of Washington.

Huard left the game twice with an injured right knee in the fourth quarter. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said an MRI was planned Monday.

After leaving the game briefly, Huard's third touchdown pass, a 6-yard strike to Karsten Bailey, cut the Colts' lead to 37-24 with 5:12. Seattle recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but Huard was picked off two plays later by Chad Cota and left the game for good.

"We're kind of on the ropes. And we need to get a win," Huard said. "We're reeling as a team. A win could heal a lot of wounds."

The Colts, after taking a 20-17 lead at halftime, took command in the third quarter. James ran for 38 yards on six carries, and Manning capped an 11-play drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ken Dilger.

James opened the scoring with a 26-yard run with 11:05 left in the first quarter, capping an 87-yard drive in which he rushed for 44 yards on five carries.

James scored on a 3-yard run with 6:54 left in the first half to put the Colts up 17-7. He added a 2-yard scoring run with 12 seconds left in the third quarter that gave Indianapolis a 34-17 lead.

Huard, who completed 19 of 26 pass attempts for 226 yards and one interception, kept the Seahawks close in the first half.

He threw two scoring passes in the second quarter, an 8-yard pass to Darrell Jackson and a 7-yard pass to Itula Mili. Kicker Rian Lindell, who missed a 21-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter, booted a 51-yarder with 5 seconds left in the half.

But Seattle self-destructed in the third quarter.

Charlie Rogers opened the second half with an 81-yard kickoff return, and Seattle had visions of at least tying the game. But running back Ricky Watters fumbled on the Colts 21.

"We've not done a good job with takeaways, so that was a big play," Colts coach Jim Mora said.

Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt kicked field goals of 23, 38 and 40 yards.

Notes

• Seahawks fans could be forgiven for being a little distracted. Many listened on the radio to the baseball playoff game across town between the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees.
• Manning got his 20th win in his 38th start.
• Rogers had six kickoff returns for 198 yards.

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