The Indianapolis Colts finally have sole possession of first place in the AFC South, but they are not about to take anything for granted.
That’s especially true with Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles waiting.
Despite dominating the Eagles of late, the Colts expect a serious challenge while trying for a fourth consecutive victory Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Indianapolis (5-2) has overcome two early losses and a rash of injuries to win three in a row — all against teams with at least four wins — and sit alone atop the division for the first time in 2010.
The Colts have won six of eight AFC South crowns and been in first place for all but 28 weeks over the past 8 1/2 seasons.
“We’re not concerned about standings,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “We’re concerned about getting better and getting ourselves in the best position to play well on Sunday.”
A fifth consecutive victory over Philadelphia (4-3) would put the Colts back on pace for an eighth straight 12-win season.
“We do have a group that I think has always been extremely focused,” Caldwell said. “The fact of the matter is it’s what we do.”
Facing the Eagles for the first time since a 45-21 home win on Nov. 26, 2006, Indianapolis has outscored Philadelphia 161-61 during a four-game series winning streak. That included a 35-13 win in its last trip to Philadelphia on Nov. 10, 2002.
The Eagles have not beaten Indianapolis since Dec. 19, 1993, and at home since Oct. 14, 1984.
Peyton Manning has completed 69.6 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and one interception in three games against the Eagles. Six of those scoring passes have come on the road.
Manning, second in the NFL with 15 touchdowns, makes his 200th consecutive start Sunday.
“Some days it does feel like it (200 games), and some days it doesn’t,” Manning said. “The fun part is that a lot of those 200 have been wins and hard-fought wins, and it’s been fun preparing for those games with all my different teammates.”
Injuries have forced Manning to count on some new faces this season.
After missing the last three games following a rib injury suffered against Washington on Oct. 3, Vick is expected to start in place of Kevin Kolb.
Vick has thrown 96 passes without being intercepted — every other quarterback who has thrown at least 20 passes has been picked off at least once. He has thrown six TDs and has a 108.8 passer rating. Vick also has rushed for 187 yards, but knows he must be more cautious.
“I definitely have to be smarter when running with the football, trying to get down,” Vick said. “I just have to be conscious of what’s going on out there and try and protect myself.”
In his only previous appearance versus Indianapolis, Vick threw for 47 yards with an interception and rushed for 30 during a 38-7 loss with Atlanta in 2003.
Vick hopes to have DeSean Jackson back after a concussion kept the star receiver out of Philadelphia’s most recent contest, a 37-19 loss at Tennessee on Oct. 24. He’s averaged 44.3 yards per score on his 22 touchdowns in three seasons. Eleven of those TDs have been from 50 yards or longer.
“Anytime you get a concussion, obviously it’s not that good,” Jackson said. “I’ll be right back to where I need to be, just going out there and still being able to play and stuff like that.”