Peyton Manning has led the Colts to seven consecutive wins.

The Colts have won seven straight and have scored fewer than 25 points in a game just twice -- 16 and 13 in wins over the Jets. The Dolphins are 4-1 at home and have allowed just 69 points there, an average of less than 14 per game.

The oddsmakers seem to believe in the Colts. The Dolphins are a 2-point favorite for Sunday's game, but that's one less than they would normally get for the home field -- and a team as good at home as Miami often gets more.

Step back in time.

The Dolphins beat the Colts in Indianapolis 34-31 with Dan Marino playing like vintage Marino. He put up 23 points in the fourth quarter to rally Miami with the help of a controversial replay call.

But Marino threw five interceptions in Dallas on Thanksgiving in his first game back after missing five weeks with a neck injury. But the Colts' defense seems to have improved.

The Colts offense has been no problem, except against the Jets. And Indianapolis needs this win badly. If the Colts lose, they're tied at 9-3 with the Dolphins, but Miami will hold the tiebreaker.

Here's a hunch: Colts 20, Dolphins 19.

Minnesota (minus 2½) at Tampa Bay (Monday night): Irresistible force (the Vikings offense) vs. immovable object (the Bucs defense). Or movable object (Vikings defense) vs. resistible force (Bucs offense). Jeff George vs. Shaun King. Five-game winning streak (Vikings) vs. four-game winning streak (Bucs). Vikings 24, Bucs 23.

Washington (plus 3½) at Detroit: Conflicting stats. The Lions are 5-0 at home, 2-4 on the road. Detroit has lost 18 straight games to the Redskins, and the Lions last beat them in 1965. Lions 31, Redskins 24.

Pittsburgh (plus 10½) at Jacksonville (Thursday night): The Jags are too good (or the Steelers too bad) in what has been a major rivalry since Jacksonville entered the league. Jaguars 31, Steelers 10.

Dallas (plus 2½) at New England: If the Pats are sinking (three straight losses), why are they favored? Because the Cowboys are 1-5 on the road. Patriots 13, Cowboys 10.

St. Louis (minus 7) at Carolina: The Rams clinch the NFC West early. Rams 31, Panthers 20.

Seattle (plus 1) at Oakland: Somehow, Mike Holmgren won't let the Seahawks lose two straight. Seahawks 24, Raiders 21.

New York Jets (minus 2½) "at" New York Giants: Spouting stars: Keyshawn Johnson is angry with some Jets teammates; Michael Strahan and Jessie Armstead are angry with the Giants offense. Jets 6, Giants 2.

Tennessee (plus 3½) at Baltimore: The Ravens play just badly enough to lose. Jevon Kearse plus Tony Banks equals turnovers. Titans 16, Ravens 13.

Kansas City (plus 4) at Denver: Despite injuries, the Broncos are 4-3 since starting 0-4. Broncos 26, Chiefs 18.

San Francisco (plus 3) at Cincinnati: Know what this spread means? That the oddsmakers consider the 49ers and Bengals equal. Help!!! Bengals 24, 49ers 20.

Green Bay (minus 3) at Chicago: Brett Favre is healthier than he was at Lambeau, and Jim Miller is gone. Packers 24, Bears 20.

Philadelphia (plus 7) at Arizona: A trend: The Eagles follow tight losses with big losses. Cardinals 30, Eagles 10.

New Orleans (plus 4) at Atlanta: Just like the old days. Who cares? Falcons 22, Saints 12.

Cleveland (plus 7½) at San Diego: The Chargers have a longer losing streak (six games) than the Browns (two), and both of Cleveland's wins are on the road. Browns 20, Chargers 9.