How do you win in the fourth quarter? It helps to have the quarterback some are calling the greatest in league history. Manning perhaps needs a few more Super Bowl titles to earn that distinction, but Sunday he was typically efficient, completing 27 of 35 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns to direct a rally from 17 points down.

“We’re still trying to play that complete game. I’m not sure we’ve done that yet,” said Manning. “One thing we have done is make critical plays at critical times.”

One of those plays was made in the fourth quarter by linebacker Clint Session. Four plays after Manning put the Colts up, 21-20, with a touchdown pass to Dallas Clark, Session picked off a Matt Schaub pass in the flat and ran 27 yards for a touchdown.

It was the third time during the streak that Houston lost a second-half lead against Indianapolis. The Texans felt victimized by the officials who called three pass interference penalties in the second half, all coming on drives that resulted in Manning touchdown passes.

“There were times there when the receiver gave up on the ball,” said Houston defensive end Mario Williams. “We’re all gonna have to have short memories after this. You can’t explain it.”

On Thanksgiving weekend, the Colts had reason to be thankful.

“We do understand we have been fortunate,” said Manning.

“It’s the largest margin of victory we’ve had in a few weeks,” added Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell. “So I should smile a little bit.”