Peyton

Colts QB Peyton completed 30-of-44 passes for 246 yards, two touchdowns and one interception to lead the Indianapolis Colts over the Ravens in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, 20-3.

Manning averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt against a tough Ravens defense, but he was able to lead the offense on multiple scoring drives with a short, time consuming and controlled attack.

Manning even convinced the typical conservative coach Jim Caldwell to eschew a field goal attempt in favor of one more shot at the end zone just before the half, effectively putting a low-scoring game out of reach. Manning and the Colts will host the Jets-Chargers winner next week for the right to play in the Super Bowl.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New Orleans: Saints RB Reggie Bush rushed five times for 84 yards and a touchdown, caught four passes for 24 yards, and returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown to lead the New Orleans Saints over the Cardinals in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, 45-14.

Arizona: Anquan Boldin said Saturday night that he would not request a trade this offseason, heading into the final year of his contract. “I’m going to let it play out,” said Boldin.

Scheduled to make $3 million in 2010, he has been quiet on the issue of his contract since changing agents to Tom Condon. The Cardinals are sure to explore the trade market this offseason with the oft-injured Boldin pushing age 30 and Early Doucet emerging as a passable replacement. Boldin could probably be landed with a high second round pick.

Arizona: Kurt Warner said after Saturday’s loss to the Saints that he doesn’t have a target date for a retirement decision, but it won’t be a “long process.” “I have some ideas in my head. But you want to get away from the season a bit,” said Warner.

Half-time X-rays on his chest were negative, and he only had the wind knocked out of him after a devastating hit by Bobby McCray Saturday. Expect a decision on Warner’s retirement in a month or two, and he should stick to his decision.

Cincinnati: Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was named the 2009 NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press on Saturday.
Lewis led the Bengals to a 10-6 record and an AFC North title after a disappointing 4-11-1 2008 season

Palo Alto: Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh reportedly turned down an offer from the Bills to be their next head coach. Harbaugh recently signed an extension at Stanford and will stay with the Cardinal.

He’s the latest in a line of coaches to spurn Buffalo, after Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher, Brian Schottenheimer and possibly Russ Grimm also passed on the opportunity. The Oakland Raiders were also rumored to be interested in Harbaugh, as he previously served as the teams quarterback coach.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Green Bay: Green Bay Packers RB Ryan Grant was back at Packers practice on Tuesday. He suffered a stinger last week but looks to be ok for Thanksgiving Day in Detroit. Grant should have a big day in the spotlight on Thursday.

Denver: Broncos QB Kyle Orton expects to start against the Giants on Thanksgiving, assuming his ankle continues to get better. “Feeling good, feeling better, should be ready to roll,” Orton said Tuesday. No reason for fantasy owners to start him against the Giants defense.

New York: New York Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw’s latest ankle sprain is to the opposite foot, putting his status for Thursday’s game in doubt. He is now in a boot on his left foot. Even if he does play, he isn’t worth a flex spot with Danny Ware seeing increased reps these days.

St. Louis: According to ESPN’s Mike Sando, there’s “no way” Marc Bulger will be a Ram in 2010 at his scheduled salary of $8.5 million.
Sando isn’t going out on a limb here, but it’s noteworthy because Bulger’s season is potentially over due to a fractured tibia. He may have played his last snap in a St. Louis uniform. The Rams could approach the 32-year-old about a pay cut this offseason, but we’re guessing that Bulger would refuse.

Indianapolis: Colts coach Jim Caldwell attributes Joseph Addai’s improved production to finally being healthy. Addai has moved well ahead of Donald Brown, taking over as the every-down back. He has eight TDs in his last seven games. “Physically, he feels good,” Caldwell said. “He just appears to be getting stronger as the game goes on. Particularly when he gets down in the red zone, he’s been a real force.”

Texans coach Gary Kubiak attributed Chris Brown’s extra playing time Monday night to his ability to hold onto the football and pick up blitzes in previous weeks.Neither Steve Slaton nor Brown is giving the team much as a runner, so Kubiak decided to go with the player who would make the fewest mistakes in a physical game.