Replay: Indianapolis 18, Vikings 15

GAME BALLS

Peyton Manning, Colts: You could see it coming from southern Canada. The superstar quarterback was given an opening and threw for 311 yards as Indy rallied to an 18-15 victory.

Anthony Gonzalez, Colts: The second-year WR had nine catches for 137 yards and a gutsy (stupid?) lateral that set up the Colts' first TD.

PLAY OF THE GAME

'THE MOMENTUM CHANGER'

Time: Third quarter, 3:31 remaining

Score: The Vikings led 15-0

Ball: Colts 3rd-and-6 at the Vikings 24

The play: Peyton Manning hit Anthony Gonzalez with a 58-yard pass, and Gonzalez, while being tackled, lateraled to Reggie Wayne, who roared 17 more yards to the Vikings' 1.

The result: The Colts offense finally had life, and scored its first TD to get back in it.

VIKINGS: NEXT WEEK

vs. Carolina

Noon Sunday, Metrodome (TV: Ch. 9)

About the Panthers (2-0)

Carolina rallied from two touchdowns behind to beat the Bears 20-17 as rookie RB Jonathan Stewart rushed for a pair of scores.

Dangerous player

Three-time Pro Bowl WR Steve Smith, right, will return from a two-game suspension for sucker-punching teammate Ken Lucas in training camp. So he's dangerous to both teams.

NEW ... AND IMPROVED?

We'll stick with the theme of our 2008 preview section all season and keep grades on the new guys, and the young players expected to lead:

THE SACK MAN

DE Jared Allen

Had his first sack and two quarterback hurries then deemed the loss "unacceptable" and vowed to win next week.

THE DEEP THREAT

WR Bernard Berrian

Doesn't seem to be the early answer to a struggling passing game. No catches for the $43 million man Sunday.

THE YOUNG QB

QB Tarvaris Jackson

Peyton Manning averages 260.5 passing yards per game. TJack has never gotten close to that in a single game.

THE SOPHOMORE

RB Adrian Peterson

Seems headed for a league rushing title but, like Allen, is furious over the opening two losses. We still love him.