Manning lifts Colts past Saints

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: Indianapolis scored 24 straight points in the second half and opened up defence of their Super Bowl title with a 41-10 win over New Orleans in the opening game of the NFL season.

Quarterback Peyton Manning shrugged off a lacklustre first half on Thursday and carved up the Saints' defence following the intermission, leading four straight scoring drives as Indianapolis (1-0) improved to 8-1 in its last nine season openers.

The Super Bowl MVP, Manning completed 18-of-30 for 288 yards and three touchdown passes. Reggie Wayne caught two TD passes and finished with seven receptions for 115 yards. Marvin Harrison added 83 yards and one TD on four catches.