Indianapolis ? Peyton Manning’s new challenge is living up to his nickname.

After setting all those records, winning all those games, meeting all that hype, Manning has a chance to prove to the NFL he really is Perfect Peyton.

“I can’t remember the last time I was 12-0,” Manning said Wednesday. “I remember being 11-0 my senior year in high school and playing another team that was 11-0 in the second round of the playoffs and we got beat. But I really can’t remember the last time I was 12-0.”

When the Colts made Manning the No. 1 choice in the 1998 NFL draft, he already had a reputation as a winner. He was 39-6 as a college starter at Tennessee, 34-5 as a high school quarterback in New Orleans. His only real nemesis was Florida, against whom he was 0-4.

Six times in his NFL career he’s won at least 10 games, including 12 victories each of the last three years. But a perfect season? Never.

That could change this year.

Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning calls a play at the line of scrimmage over guard Jake Scott in a game against Pittsburgh. Manning, shown Nov. 28 in Indianapolis, endured the spotlight last year while chasing the NFL record for touchdown passes. But the scrutiny that comes with going 12-0 is something new.

Indianapolis is 12-0, already in the playoffs and closing fast on a division title, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. With that much success, Manning now finds himself in the awkward position of answering questions he would rather avoid.

His approach hasn’t changed. Manning spends countless hours scouring videotapes to unlock the secrets of opposing defenses and squirms at the thought of looking ahead.

But it’s hard not to think about perfection now. With four weeks left and the Colts having accomplished most of their

regular-season goals, the questions about the chase are becoming increasingly persistent with each victory.

“I think you understand it, it’s exciting,” he said. “Our home crowd has been outstanding, you see the signs around, and it’s great for the fans. All we can do is show up every week.”

This year, with his statistics decreasing for the first time in his career, Manning’s efficiency has been better than ever. He tops the NFL with a passer rating of 107.6, ranks second with 25 TD passes and needs 34 yards to become the fourth player this year to top 3,000 yards.

“I think he’s actually playing better,” coach Tony Dungy said. “We had some situations last year where we put up some big numbers, but we’ve had to deal with a lot of different types of defenses this year, and he’s been in control out there. He’s putting us in the right plays.”

All anybody cares about now, though, is whether the Colts can match the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ undefeated season. Indy visits division rival Jacksonville on Sunday, then hosts San Diego, visits Seattle and hosts Arizona.

Four more wins and the Colts will put themselves in the record books thanks in large part to Manning’s uncanny abilities.

“We’re 12-0, so you can’t get better than that,” receiver Brandon Stokley said of Manning. “Most people don’t understand how much he’s responsbile for. He’s making the right reads and the right calls.”