Addai, Rhodes wear down Bears

MIAMI — Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes split the carries all season.

On Sunday, they shared the credit for Indianapolis' first Super Bowl victory.

Addai played the role of setup man and Rhodes finished it off against the Chicago Bears, giving two-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning enough balance in rainy Miami to finally bring home the Lombardi Trophy.

While Manning was selected the game's MVP, Rhodes and Addai showed what a successful tag-team backfield looks like.

Addai, who led all rookies in rushing during the regular season despite not starting a game, ran 19 times for 77 yards and softened up a defense considered one of the strongest in the league. He also caught 10 passes, more than any of his more notable teammates, for 66 yards.

Rhodes, who graciously accepted his new role as the backup in the playoffs, was even better. He ran 21 times for 113 yards and scored one touchdown.

"What makes it work is that we're two unselfish guys," said Rhodes, who will now become an unrestricted free agent. "Defenses can't look to just stop one style, and that makes it harder for them."

After overpowering Kansas City, Baltimore and New England in their previous playoff games, the Colts came up with a performance Sunday that will be forever etched into the memories of their fans.

They repeatedly ran into the middle of the wet field, challenging the Bears' strengths, and then quickly cut outside. They put Manning in position to repeatedly convert third downs and, when they had to close out the game late, they did that, too.

It was no surprise to the Colts.

"All year they've been splitting carries because we wanted them healthy for the end of the season," left tackle Tarik Glenn said. "They certainly did their job today."

In fact, without Addai and Rhodes, the Colts might not have made it this far.

After all, Addai's 3-yard touchdown run against New England two weeks ago was the one that earned them a ticket to Miami.

"We just try to take advantage of what they give us. That's what we've been doing all year," Addai said. "It's just going out there and believing in each other that we can get the job done for our teammates."

With a combination of short, powerful runs and an occasional big one, they excelled in the second half when the Colts protected the lead.

Rhodes' 36-yard dash late in the third quarter set up Adam Vinatieri's field goal that gave the Colts a 22-14 lead.

And on their last possession, Manning didn't even have to throw a pass.

"They blocked for us, and he [Manning] put us in some great plays," Rhodes said. "We knew it would be a running football game, and I'm glad we got it done."