On the first play after a Donovan McNabb interception, Peyton Manning came out slinging. He hit wide receiver Pierre Garcon on a 57-yard bomb to give the Colts an early 7-0 lead.
To start the game, as the commentators persisted in criticizing the Redskins for deferring on the coin toss and electing to receive the ball to start the second half, the Washington defense forced a three-and-out on Indianapolis' first possession. The Redskins drove the ball into Indianapolis territory, but an interception by Jerraud Powers gave the Colts the ball back, and that was all Manning needed to take advantage.