Mark Duncan / AP

Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco, center, is sacked by Indianapolis linebacker Gary Brackett, left, and defensive end Dwight Freeney on Saturday.

Baltimore, with rookie Joe Flacco at quarterback, won two road games last January to get to the AFC championship game, where it lost to Pittsburgh. Flacco struggled in this postseason and was intercepted twice Saturday night.

Stover, the career scoring leader for Baltimore who joined Indianapolis in October, also had a 44-yard field goal. Billy Cundiff had a 25-yarder for the Ravens’ only points.

The Colts have won eight straight against Baltimore, a city they once called home. The last time they were so stingy in a playoff game was as the Baltimore Colts 39 years ago, a 20-3 win over Cleveland — where the Ravens once lived as the original Browns.

“The better team won today,” Rice admitted. “You shouldn’t be afraid to say that.”

The Ravens threw a wrinkle at Indianapolis on their first possession, using a no-huddle offense for portions of the 15-play drive that kept Manning on the sideline for nearly 8 minutes. What Baltimore didn’t do was finish the drive with a touchdown, and it was fortunate to get Cundiff’s field goal after Antoine Bethea dropped an interception at the goal line.

Manning must have been jealous of that series, because he soon led the Colts on an 8-minute, 75-yarder, converting a fourth-and-4 pass to Joseph Addai along the way. His pinpoint throw to Collie in the left corner of the end zone — the kind of pass that has become a Manning trademark — made it 10-3.

Then it was back to the quick pace the Colts are known for. After Baltimore’s three-and-out, Manning needed just 1:23 to make it 17-3. The drive was aided by Ray Lewis’ personal foul on a helmet-to-helmet hit against Collie in the end zone, and Wayne then leaned in with a 3-yard pass with 3 seconds remaining in the half.

Following its impressive first possession, Baltimore had the ball for less than 4 minutes in the opening half, gaining 9 yards in the second period.

“We didn’t play well enough to win this game against this team on this day,” coach John Harbaugh said. “They played defense the way they always do, they just played it well.”

Notes: It was Indy’s first postseason win since the Super Bowl in January 2007. ... Manning is 8-8 in the playoffs. ... Baltimore has never allowed a 100-yard rusher in 13 playoff games. ... Indy allowed a league-low 13 sacks, but gave up two on Saturday.

More news

NBC Sports

What's up with Alex and Cam?

  SportsTalk: 49ers quarterback Alex Smith rips on Panthers' second-year QB Cam Newton.

NBC Sports

Sanchez looking over his shoulder at Tebow?

  SportsTalk: Is Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez concerned about being benched for Tim Tebow? It's possible.

Headlines

• Label

PFT: Jeff Garcia still wants to play in the NFL

PFT: Ex-Dolphin testifies in bizarre murder case

PFT Live: Top picks bring QB competitions

PFT: Williams tape may hinder 'Hard Knocks'

PFT Live: Cardinals' DB Campbell is excited

PFT: Polamalu thinks kids should play football

PFT: Vanderjagt attacks kid for 'wide left' taunt?

PFT Live: Is Cowboys' title window closing?