INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning keeps finding new winning formulas, and the Colts keep making history.

Instead of another patented comeback or impressive air show, Manning opened December by playing keepaway from Tennessee and leading the Colts to a 27-17 victory over Tennessee yesterday for their record-tying 21st straight regular-season win.

"You try to tell these guys that when you win a couple in a row, or three or four in a row, this is not normal," the three-time MVP said. "It's not normal to win 10 or 11 or 12 games every year. But these guys that have been here five years would tell me it is normal for us. That's all they've done."

For Indy (12-0), the milestones all seem commonplace.

Yesterday's list included:

• Matching New England's record, set from 2006-08.

• Extending its own NFL record of consecutive 12-win seasons to seven.

• Remaining undefeated, the first time in league history two teams — New Orleans (12-0) — have been unbeaten this late in the season.

• And tying the 1990s San Francisco 49ers for most wins in a decade (113).

Manning was 24 of 37 for 270 yards and one TD, and Pierre Garcon caught six passes for a career-high 136 yards for Indy, which held the ball for long stretches in the second half.

Tennessee (5-7) was the last team to beat the Colts, on Oct. 27, 2008.

TENNESSEE 3 7 0 7—17

INDIANAPOLIS 7 17 0 3—27

First Quarter

Ind—Addai 8 run (Stover kick), 13:02.

Ten—FG Bironas 20, 6:34.

Second Quarter

Ind—Addai 1 run (Stover kick), 11:42.

Ind—Collie 4 pass from Manning (Stover kick), 1:55.

Ten—Britt 6 pass from Young (Bironas kick), :20.

Ind—FG Stover 43, :00.

Fourth Quarter

Ind—FG Stover 36, 3:14.

Ten—Scaife 17 pass from Young (Bironas kick), 1:23.

A—66,321.

Ten Ind

First downs 24 23

Total Net Yards 375 358

Rushes-yards 33-142 27-88

Passing 233 270

Punt Returns 2-9 0-0

Kickoff Returns 5-175 3-68

Interceptions Ret. 0-0 1-10

Comp-Att-Int 24-43-1 24-37-0

Sacked-Yards Lost 1-8 0-0

Punts 2-39.0 3-39.0

Fumbles-Lost 3-1 0-0

Penalties-Yards 4-50 5-40

Time of Possession 32:59 27:01

RUSHING—Tennessee, Johnson 27-113, Young 4-16, White 2-13. Indianapolis, Addai 21-79, Hart 4-11, Manning 2-(minus 2).

PASSING—Tennessee, Young 24-43-1-241. Indianapolis, Manning 24-37-0-270.

RECEIVING—Tennessee, Johnson 6-28, Scaife 5-56, Washington 4-44, Britt 3-46, Hawkins 2-34, Hall 2-19, Crumpler 2-14. Indianapolis, Garcon 6-136, Wayne 4-48, Collie 4-18, Clark 3-25, Addai 3-17, Hart 2-27, Simpson 2-(minus 1).

MISSED FIELD GOALS—Indianapolis, Stover 52 (WR).