The Indianapolis Colts are going to the Super Bowl and New York Jets coach Rex Ryan believes it was made possible by the four-time NFL MVP wearing No. 18 for the Colts.

"Today wasn't our day. You gotta give credit to the Colts. They are the cream of the crop right now," said Ryan, whose top-ranked defense was torched by Peyton Manning for 377 yards and three touchdowns.

"They went to three wides, and when you got Dallas Clark as your tight end you basically have four receivers out there," Ryan said of the Colts' ninth-rated offense. "Those guys are tough. Individually they're tough. We tried everything. Tried man, tried two man, tried zone...you name it. You have to give [Manning] credit man. He's one heck of a quarterback."

With Jets All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis shadowing Colts Pro Bowl wide receiver Reggie Wayne most of the afternoon, Manning relied on second-year receiver Pierre Garcon and rookie Austin Collie to move the ball. Garcon caught 11 passes for 151 yards and Collie made seven catches for 123 yards. Manning completed 26 of 39 passes and posted a NFL-record seventh 300-yard game in the playoffs, moving ahead of Kurt Warner and Joe Montana.

"We went into halftime with a lead. But again, would that have been enough? I don't know. I don't think so. Give them credit. They made some adjustments," Ryan concluded. "Indianapolis just kept marching on the field on us. That's Peyton Manning." --- JOEL HUERTO.