NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bill Polian stood outside the Indianapolis Colts locker room Sunday night, pressing the flesh with his players as they filed past.

The team president seemed a bit more upbeat every time he slapped hands with a member of his defense following a 31-9 whipping of the Tennessee Titans at LP Field.

“Way to shut ‘em down, big guys,’’ Polian said. "Way to shut ‘em down.’’

The Peyton Manning led offense provided the fireworks - 367 total yards, including 309 yards and three touchdowns through the air by Manning — but it was the defense that offered the muscle. It limited the Titans to just 245 yards and kept them out of the end zone.

Most impressive was that the defense extended its stellar play against the run. It yielded just 90 yards on 21 carries, and has allowed only 163 rushing yards the past three games, the second-smallest three-game rushing total in club history.

“We ain’t jumping the gun, yet,‘’ said linebacker Clint Session . "We’re just going to keep it going. That’s what you’ve got to do if you’re going to be successful in this league.

“You’ve got to stop the run.’’

Titans running back Chris Johnson had the Colts’ attention from the outset. The league’s leading rusher coming in with 434 yards was limited to 34 yards on nine carries.

“We knew the beast we were going against,‘’ Session said. "Our whole mind-set was to plug a hole up and chase (the play) to the outside. We’ve got guys on the defense that can run, and that’s what we did.’’

Freeney streak intact

Defensive end Dwight Freeney had the Colts’ only sack of quarterback Kerry Collins , and it extended a personal streak.

Freeney has had at least one sack in each game this season — six total — and at least one in his past six games.

“Shhhh, don’t tell anybody,‘’ he said. "Let’s keep it a secret.’’

Jennings atones

Cornerback Tim Jennings aided Tennessee’s first-half effort when a Pat McAfee punt glanced off him and the Titans recovered at the Colts 34-yard line.

“I didn’t know where the ball was,‘’ he said. "I was just blocking my man. When I heard the call (for a short punt), it was too late.’’

The Titans capitalized with one of three Rob Bironas field goals.

Jennings made up for the mistake early in the third quarter. With the Collins attempting to convert a third-and-6, Jennings sliced in front of wide receiver Nate Washington for his first interception of the season. Seven plays later, Manning’s 6-yard touchdown pass to rookie Austin Collie stretched the Colts’ lead to 28-9.

“We were in man-to-man coverage, it was third-and-short and I knew they had to go to the sticks,’’ Jennings said. "They had been curling up on me at the sticks the last couple of games and I knew they were just trying to get a first down.

“(Washington) sat on the route, so I sat, too.’’

Medical update

Running back Joseph Addai suffered a shoulder injury on the Colts’ first play of the third quarter but returned later in the period. He was slow to get up after a 2-yard run. Addai finished with 27 yards on 14 carries and had a career regular-season high 10 receptions for 53 yards.

Left tackle Tony Ugoh exited the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. He was replaced by Dan Federkeil .

Titans cornerback Nick Harper suffered a broken forearm midway through the third quarter.

A Young sighting

The crowd stirred and cheered with 7:26 remaining and the Titans trailing 31-9. Vince Young replaced Collins at quarterback. It was Young’s first appearance of the season.

Sanders out

Bob Sanders made the trip, but didn’t make the cut. The veteran safety was one of the Colts’ pre-game inactives.

The other inactives: cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson , defensive tackle Fili Moala , running back Mike Hart , offensive tackle Charlie Johnson and wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez .

Etc.

The Titans are the first team since the 1970 merger to start one season 10-0 and start the next 0-5. . . . Session led the Colts with nine tackles.