Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos. (MARK LEFFINGWELL/Reuters)
The post-game atmosphere in Baltimore Sunday was warm and fuzzy for the victorious Ravens, one and all basking in the glow of Ray Lewis's moment in the sun, just as the Indianapolis Colts had revelled in the return of their head coach, Chuck Pagano, the week before.
And just as reality came home to roost for the overmatched Colts in Baltimore, the Ravens are due for their own comeuppance next Saturday in Denver.