The Colts make their way to San Diego for the second time in three seasons looking to narrow the Chargers' advantage in this always-interesting series as these teams meet for the ninth time (including playoffs) in the last eight seasons.

While the Chargers own a 12-7 overall edge in the series standings (one of those losses a 35-20 setback in the 1995 AFC First Round Playoffs at San Diego), Indianapolis managed a 17-12 triumph last season at the RCA Dome (Week 5) in the celebrated first encounter between then-rookie QBs Peyton Manning (Colts) and Ryan Leaf (Chargers).

Including playoffs, the Colts are 5-3 lifetime at San Diego, their last appearance at Qualcomm Stadium resulting in a 35-19 loss in 1997.

Including playoffs, the road team owns a surprising 14-5 record in this series.

Numbers: After throwing just three touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in his first 4 games, Colts QB Peyton Manning has thrown 28 TD passes and 21 interceptions in his last 14 contests dating back to '98, throwing two or more touchdown passes in nine of his last 13 games. However, Manning has thrown two or more interceptions in eight of his last 11 contests. fter allowing an AFC-high 62 sacks in 16 games in 1997, Colts have allowed just 22 sacks in their last 18 games dating back to '98. After allowing 11 sacks in their first 4 games in 1998, Colts have allowed just 11 sacks in their last 14 contests, giving up zero sacks in nine of those 14 games.

After committing 24 turnovers in their last four contests in '98, the Chargers did not commit a turnover in their Week 2 victory at Cincinnati. The Chargers won five games in '98 by a combined total of 13 points, one game in 1999 by 27 points. They have committed 19 turnovers in 18 wins, 99 turnovers in 31 losses since '96. The Chargers' offense has scored 41 touchdowns in their last 33 games (10-23), while their defense/special teams has scored 12 touchdowns dating back to '97. They have totaled 15 takeaways and 23 sacks in six wins, 17 takeaways and 19 sacks in 11 losses dating back to '98.

Things To Look For: Jim Mora's biggest obstacle in this contest will be making sure his up-and-coming club puts last week's disappointing finish at New England behind them in a hurry. Meanwhile, the Mike Riley Era got off to a great start last week at Cincinnati, but the Chargers should find this week's opposition a little more formidable. Look for Colts' QB Peyton Manning to test the San Diego secondary early.

Etc.: The Colts have lost 10 straight road games dating back to '97. Since 1994, (including playoffs), 50 of the Colts' 86 games have been decided by 7 or fewer points, 6 of those in overtime. Including playoffs, Colts are 12-35 (0-1 in playoffs) since opening 4-0 in '96.