Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning was too much to handle down the stretch for the New York Jets defence. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The last time Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts played the New York Jets, the future Hall of Famer was on the sidelines in the fourth quarter.

Not this time.

With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, Manning led a potent Colts offence that scored 24 unanswered points en route to a 30-17 victory Sunday, putting the game out of reach with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Dallas Clark at 8:57.

Colts rookie head coach Jim Caldwell took a gamble when the 14-0 Colts faced the Jets in Week 16. With the game, and a perfect season on the line, he sat Manning and other starters in the fourth quarter. The Jets came back to win, ending the Colts' record 23-game regular-season winning streak.

Caldwell wanted to make sure his players were fresh for the playoff grind ahead of them.

It seems to have paid off.

Colts hitting stride

Manning and his core of receivers showed no signs of fatigue, demonstrating that they are peaking at the right time. With his prime target Reggie Wayne facing tight coverage from the Jets' Darelle Revis the entire game, Manning connected with Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon for two of his three TD strikes.

The Colts quarterback finished the game 26 for 39 attempts, passing for 377 yards.

The Jets got off to a strong start, building a 17-6 lead in the second quarter.

Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez exploited the Colts secondary for a few big plays, leading to two touchdowns. One was an 80-yard strike to Braylon Edwards, the team's longest TD of the season.

New York also used some trickery in its offence. Receiver Brad Smith took a direct snap and found Jerricho Cotchery behind the coverage for a 45-yard gain. It set up a Dustin Keller touchdown to give the Jets a 14-6 second quarter lead.

After kicker Jay Feeley extended the lead to 17-6, Manning responded with a quick three-play drive inside the two-minute warning, hitting the rookie Collie for two crucial receptions, including a 16-yard TD.

"We talked about being patient against these guys," Manning said. "We knew it would be a four-quarter game. They have an excellent defence."

Jets grounded in 2nd half

Prior to the game, much of the talk surrounded the Jets' defence, which was billed as the best in the NFL. But in the second half of Sunday's contest, the Indianapolis D stole the show, shutting out the Jets offence.

"The guys have always been a very confident bunch and they do a great job of hanging in there," Caldwell said.

"Peyton had just an outstanding game," Caldwell said. "He's one of those guys that can adjust to different situations. ... A real champion."

Sanchez played with the poise and patience of a veteran, making perfect throws to receivers especially when they had defenders draped around them.

Sanchez, who was 17 for 30 for 257 yards, played mistake-free football until late in the fourth quarter, throwing his first interception after the outcome was already decided.

Despite his strong play, the Jets (11-8) were unable to score any points in the second half. Feeley missed two of three field goals, including a 52-yard miss in the third quarter that led to the Colts' go-ahead touchdown.

"Today wasn't our day. There's no question," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "You have to give credit to the Colts. Obviously, they're the cream of the crop right now."

The Colts (16-2) will face the New Orleans Saints — winners of the NFC championship over Minnesota — in the Super Bowl Feb. 7 in Miami.

It's the second Super Bowl appearance in the past four years for the Colts, who beat the Chicago Bears for the NFL championship in 2007. Manning was the MVP.