Despite an unending string of injuries, the Indianapolis Colts can always count on one thing: Peyton Manning lining up under center.
Manning will make his 200th consecutive start when the Colts visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Indianapolis (5-2) is back atop the AFC South following a 30-17 victory over the division rival Houston Texans on Monday night - the team's third consecutive victory.
Manning showed why he is the league's only four-time Most Valuable Player, helping the Colts avenge a season-opening loss to the Texans despite a myriad of injuries that decimated their receiving corps and backfield.
The NFL's leader with a 101.4 passer rating this season, Manning has thrown for 2,184 yards and 15 touchdowns while being intercepted just twice in 299 attempts.
Despite playing without tight end Dallas Clark and wide receiver Austin Collie, who have a combined 81 receptions between them, and leading rusher Joseph Addai, Manning threw for 259 yards and a pair of scores in last week’s victory.
Reserve tight end Jacob Tamme filled in nicely, hauling in six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown, and third-string tailback Mike Hart rushed for a career-high 84 yards.
Addai (shoulder) and Hart (ankle) could both sit out this week, leaving the rushing load to former first-round pick Donald Brown, who has already missed three games to injuries this season.
The Colts also may have endured a costly blow on the other side of the ball. Linebacker Clint Sessions suffered a broken arm and dislocated elbow in the Houston game and could be lost for the season.
It’s just another obstacle for Indianapolis to overcome in attempting to win its 14th consecutive game in November and extend its winning streak over the Eagles to five straight games.
Philadelphia (4-3) used its bye week to get a few of its key players healthy. Michael Vick is expected to make his first start in over a month after he was shelved by a rib-cage injury suffered against Washington on Oct. 3.
Vick had been brilliant after replacing an injured Kevin Kolb during Week 1, passing for six touchdowns and rushing for one through the first three games without an interception. He also has rushed for 187 yards, but was hurt on a scramble against the Redskins and promised to play smarter to avoid injury.
Kolb had started the last three games, but committed three turnovers in a disheartening 37-19 loss at Tennessee on Oct. 24. The Eagles appeared well on their way to victory before the Titans reeled off 27 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia also hopes to get back leading receiver DeSean Jackson, who sat out the Tennessee game with a concussion. Jackson passed neurological tests this week and is expected to start Sunday barring any setbacks.
He provides Vick with one of the most dangerous deep threats in the game, scoring three touchdowns and averaging 20.1 yards on his 19 receptions.
Running back LeSean McCoy provides a dual option for Vick and the Eagles with 477 yards rushing and 38 receptions for 293 yards.