EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The Giants are gushing over Peyton Manning. On Sunday, they will be trying to rush over the Indianapolis Colts quarterback, who is having a remarkable season in only his second year.

"He is the best quarterback in the league right now," said Phillippi Sparks, the New York cornerback who will be thinking interception on Sunday. "He's very accurate."

"It's hard to confuse him. He's got confidence," said linebacker Jessie Armstead, who will be thinking sack. "You don't see too many young guys who can read the defense so quick and change his play if he has to."

Giants coach Jim Fassel, who must devise a game plan to slow down the potent Colts, agreed.

"He's making a difference in a lot of areas," said Fassel "They are the best in the league at preventing sacks, and he has a lot to do with it. He gets rid of the ball so quickly."

Colts coach Jim Mora keeps saying how surprised he is that Manning has developed so quickly and so well. Mora said it again in talking about Sunday's game, adding that Manning has his full confidence when it comes to changing plays.

"We give Peyton complete freedom at the line of scrimmage. He comes into games as well prepared as anyone," Mora said.

The coach said the matchup at Giants Stadium figured to be Manning's toughest test so far this season, and the Colts' toughest in what will be a battle of their productive offense against the Giants' tough defense.

"The Giants defense is as good as we will play. There's not a better defense in the league." Mora said.

The Colts (6-2) are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They have won four straight in a string that started at Giants Stadium when they beat the Jets.

The Giants (5-3) have a three-game winning streak that carried them to a share of the NFC East lead. But they are coming off a bye week, and are 2-8 in previous return games.

About the Giants' dismal record after a bye week, Fassel said, "Hopefully, this team is maturing and can handle situations differently."

New York must handle Marvin Harrison, Manning's primary target and the No. 1 receiver in the AFC with 58 catches for 887 yards and nine touchdowns.

Rookie Edgerrin James is tied for the AFC's rushing lead, and is one of the season's top surprises. He's carried 196 times for 746 yards, the entire total for Colts running backs, and five touchdowns.

Manning has passed for 2,282 yards and 15 touchdowns. But he has thrown nine interceptions.

In addition to the Giants defense, Manning will be facing mid-November conditions in the Meadowlands, which often mean gusting, tricky winds.

Manning's last three games have been in the windless environment of the RCA Dome. If it is windy, he didn't think it would be a problem after playing in less than favorable weather conditions several times in college at Tennessee.

The Giants regard the game as pivotal to their hopes for a season that threatened to turn into a disaster in September after a 50-21 wipeout by the Washington Redskins and a 16-14 loss to New England.

"This is a critical game for us and the playoffs," Armstead said. "This is the test of whether we will step up and play one of our big games, whether we are contending or pretending."

Fassel said he gave his team a plan on how to beat the Colts.

"You have to hold them down," he said, making it clear the defense again will have to save the day. Fassel's offense has shown it cannot be counted on to run up any decent numbers.

Among quarterback Kent Graham's concerns this time will be defensive end Chad Bratzke, who left the Giants after four seasons to become the anchor of Indianapolis' defensive line. He leads the team with seven sacks.

The coach said LeShon Johnson again will be his starting running back, "But we will use Sean Bennett and Tiki (Barber), too."

INDIANAPOLIS Season schedule and results

NY GIANTS Season schedule and results

September 12 Buffalo W 31-14 September 19 @New England L 28-31 September 26 @San Diego W 27-19 October 10 Miami L 31-34 October 17 @NY Jets W 16-13 October 24 Cincinnati W 31-10 October 31 Dallas W 34-24 November 7 Kansas City W 25-17 November 14 @NY Giants 1:00pm ET November 21 @Philadelphia 1:00pm ET November 28 NY Jets 4:15pm ET December 5 @Miami 1:00pm ET December 12 New England 1:00pm ET December 19 Washington 1:00pm ET December 26 @Cleveland 1:00pm ET January 2 @Buffalo 1:00pm ET

September 12 @Tampa Bay W 17-13 September 19 Washington L 21-50 September 26 @New England L 14-16 October 3 Philadelphia W 16-15 October 10 @Arizona L 3-14 October 18 Dallas W 13-10 October 24 New Orleans W 31-3 October 31 @Philadelphia W 23-17 November 14 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET November 21 @Washington 4:15pm ET November 28 Arizona 1:00pm ET December 5 NY Jets 1:00pm ET December 12 @Buffalo 1:00pm ET December 19 @St. Louis 1:00pm ET December 26 Minnesota 1:00pm ET January 2 @Dallas 4:05pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

Copyright 1999 STATS, Inc. Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited.