By George Bremer, Herald Bulletin Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning warned this day was coming. Though few cared to listen.
As the Indianapolis Colts’ early-season hot streak continued, each win seemingly more clinical and efficient than the last, Manning remained a voice of reason.
Tougher days lie ahead, he cautioned. Even a team this talented can’t remain this dominant for long.
The San Francisco 49ers lived up to Manning’s words Sunday, forcing the Colts to the wire in an 18-14 victory. And Manning again said even stronger battles lie ahead.
“Certainly, it’s been a good start,” he said. “Coach (Jim) Caldwell knows we’re heading into the teeth of our schedule. That started today. We’re playing well, and we’re working hard. We’re going to continue to work hard and follow (Caldwell’s) lead.”
Caldwell became the first Colts head coach to win his first seven career games and the first to do it in the NFL since 1920. But the next five won’t get any easier.
Indianapolis hosts red-hot Houston next week before a big Sunday Night Football date with New England at Lucas Oil Stadium. A trip to Baltimore — which handed Denver its first loss of the season Sunday — follows before a rematch with the Texans in Houston.
The stretch closes at home against a struggling Tennessee team with nothing to lose and plenty of Colts’ hopes to spoil.
One big factor in Indianapolis’ favor is the play of its resurgent defense that forced two turnovers and held onto a four-point fourth-quarter lead Sunday.
“Our defense rose to the occasion when we needed it most,” Caldwell said. “We needed a couple of big stops (in the fourth quarter) to knock them out of field-goal range. That was huge. We were pleased with their effort. We may not have been perfect, but we found a way to win.”
