"The opportunity to get up close and personal with a Manning wasn't wasted by Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

Unable to lay a hand on quarterback Peyton Manning during Indianapolis Colts' practices, the Pro Bowl defensive ends took out their frustrations on Manning's little brother. Each had two sacks against Eli Manning, the New York Giants' beleaguered quarterback, during Sunday night's 38-14 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"Yeah, finally got that opportunity,'' Freeney said, smiling. "I got him one time in the Pro Bowl, but that doesn't count.''

Occasionally, Peyton Manning will saunter up to his pass-rushing teammates and urge them to turn up the heat.

"He didn't say anything,'' said Freeney, who has three sacks in two games. "I'll have to give him a little bit (today).

"He normally gives me a little tap, 'Go get after the quarterback.' ''

Mathis insisted "it's good to get a quarterback, period.

"No matter what name is on the (jersey), you just want to do your job, and that's to get sacks.''

Like Freeney, Mathis has opened the season with three sacks.

Mathis' second-quarter sack forced an Eli Manning fumble that was recovered by defensive tackle Eric Foster at the Giants 45 with 1:07 remaining. Eight plays and 58 seconds later, Peyton Manning and Austin Collie gave the Colts a 24-0 halftime lead with a 3-yard touchdown.

The first of Freeney's two sacks led to points as well, just a bit more directly.

Freeney used a nifty duck-under move against Giants left tackle David Diehl, zeroed in on Eli Manning from behind and tomahawk-chopped the football free. It bounded near the end zone, with defensive tackle Fili Moala being credited with a 1-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

Tightening the vise on Eli Manning was a primary objective of the Colts' defense.

"That was one of the biggest points of emphasis coming into this game, getting pressure on the quarterback and making him uncomfortable,'' Moala said.

The touchdown, he added, was a case of being in the right place at the right time."