Indianapolis ? Peyton Manning stood at his postgame news conference with a rare smile and an unusual twinkle in his eyes. He finally had won at New England, and, for once, Manning wanted to savor the moment.

By Tuesday morning, the celebration ended as the Indianapolis Colts looked ahead to their next game against Houston.

“I love plane rides in the NFL after a win,” Manning said Monday night. “Hopefully we’ll fly slow – a two-hour flight – and then touch the ground and it’s on to Houston.”

For Manning and the Colts (8-0), the expectations following a 40-21 victory over the two-time defending Super Bowl champs now pose the biggest threat.

Indy fans treated the Patriots game as if it was the Super Bowl, and a conveniently timed bye week played into the buildup. Some figured a victory at New England also meant the Colts punched their ticket to Detroit, site of this year’s Super Bowl.

On Tuesday, coach Tony Dungy wasted no time in debunking such thoughts as premature.

“You get all these stats about the last team that won their first eight or nine games or the last unbeaten team going to the Super Bowl,” Dungy said. “It’s like the Indy-New England spiel, it really doesn’t mean anything.”

Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning gives the thumbs-up sign after beating New England. The Colts beat the Patriots, 40-21, Monday in Foxborough, Mass.

Nonetheless, Dungy still was peppered with questions about whether the unbeaten Colts could challenge the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ perfect record, especially with a tough stretch ahead – a Nov. 20 date at Cincinnati followed by a Monday night game at home against Pittsburgh. He tactfully avoided the bait.

No matter the circumstances, Manning always seems to find the right words to challenge his teammates, and Monday night proved no exception.

Much as he enjoyed his latest personal milestone, winning at New England for the first time in eight games, Manning’s quick mention of Houston was an indication that everyone needed to move on.

“There always will be something else, like this was not a playoff game,” Manning said. “I am very content to have won this particular game.”

The difference between this season and past seasons is that the Colts no longer must rely on the strength of Manning’s right arm to win games.

They’re winning now with a new attitude, growing confidence, an improved defense and a greater ability to run the ball effectively. Manning welcomes the change.

“There’s a lot of youth and enthusiasm on the defense and in practices guys are flying around,” Manning said. “I sleep a little better at night knowing Dwight (Freeney) can get a sack any time he wants or Bob Sanders can force a fumble. You think those plays will happen now.”