While Steve Slaton tried to carry on as if he could easily manage a 16-game season, coach Gary Kubiak could see his rookie running back struggling.

Instead of having Slaton run until his legs could no longer churn out the yards, Kubiak took a risk for the team and rested him against Baltimore two weeks ago. He gave the rookie only four carries and told him to take a break.

Without their starting running back—and any sort of running game, the Texans suffered their most lopsided loss of the season to the Ravens. But a week later, Slaton showed his appreciation by rattling off 156 rushing yards against Indianapolis. It was the best day of his NFL career and the best outing in the league by a running back over the weekend.

Peyton Manning finally found a way to get the Colts' offense in gear Sunday. He used the pass to create running lanes, mystified the Houston defense with gashing plays, wore down the Texans with a steady repertoire of no-huddle offense and got his teammates playing at full throttle. This is how Manning believes Indianapolis can win.