Some of those Macarena-style movements on both sides will be pure deception when Manning's 9-0 Colts face Lewis' 5-4 Ravens in Baltimore.

"Some of it is a bunch of baloney from him and me," says Lewis. "But then some of it means a lot, and that's kind of a chess match. And it comes down to if we bait him into thinking we're in something (defensively) that we're not, we win that down. If he baits us into finding a weakness, then he wins that down."

Manning's calls have been clicking this season. In eight of the Colts' nine victories, he has thrown for more than 300 yards. He is coming off a 327-yard, four touchdown passing performance in a startling 35-34 comeback win against the New England Patriots.

In his 12th NFL season, is Manning playing his best ever?

"I don't think there's any question about it when you look at the numbers," says first-year Colts coach Jim Caldwell, formerly Manning's quarterback coach..

"He's had some great year around here now, but you look at his numbers this year and obviously the number of 300-yard games … that's highly unusual.

"But he's also had some great years as well, when he threw the 49 touchdown passes (2004). He's done some tremendous things in his career. But right now he's moving along and playing at a real, real high level."

Lewis, whose team has lost six in a row to the Colts going back to 2002, says Manning's "knowledge of the game" sets him apart.

"He reads coverages probably better than any quarterback in the history of the game," says Lewis.

"And that's why disguising is most important and not letting him know what you're in because he has the ability to check from run to pass and pass to run and things like that. He knows where the weaknesses are in defenses. So you've got to give all credit to him, and that's why you've got to prepare totally, totally different when you prepare for a guy like this."

Manning still has familiar targets in wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark. But the Colts top receivers this year also include rookie Austin Collie and second-year pro Pierre Garcon.

"Every practice, meeting and even a walk-through that we do, every one of them is a great learning experience for everybody, including me because you're trying to be sure you're on the same page with these young receivers," Manning said this week in a teleconference.

"For a number of years here we had such a veteran corps of receivers that you kind of knew before practice and after practice and into the game everybody was going to be on the same page. So you're constantly reviewing things and going over things with these young guys, and it does keep you on your toes."

The Ravens will be without pass-rushing linebacker Terrell Suggs on Sunday. He's recovering from a knee injury. Baltimore is 13th in the league in pass defense. Manning has 20 touchdown passes and 2,872 passing yards, both league highs.

The Ravens hope noise from the home crowd will be a hindrance to Manning.

"The home crowd can do some things to disrupt him, yes," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.

"They can be very loud. … It's going to be with about 20 seconds on the play clock, and it's got to be just completely ear drum-shattering loud and make him at least make the hand signals and make it tough to communicate and get him off kilter a little bit."

Manning knows what to expect.

"I think it's always tough playing on the road, and I think Baltimore is an extremely tough place to play," he said. "It's always very loud, and throw in the fact that they have a great defense, it makes for a tough combination."

Enlarge By Andy Lyons, Getty Images Peyton Manning and the Colts have won six straight games against the Baltimore Ravens.