INDIANAPOLIS -- It's always been Marvin and then Reggie. Not Reggie and Marvin. Always Marvin and Reggie.

It's not like they've been 1 and 1A either, but rather a 1 and a 2 when talking about the Indianapolis Colts receivers, with Marvin Harrison in the lead role and Reggie Wayne the best supporting actor.

Jacksonville's D can't stop Reggie Wayne from taking off for 158 yards and a score. (Getty Images)

And he might not give it back. Ever.

Wayne's performance Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars was a big reason why the Colts now have a firm grip on the AFC South, and barring Peyton Manning deciding to quit football, appear headed to another division title. The Colts beat back a scrappy Jaguars team 28-25 at the RCA Dome to get to 10-2 on the season, giving them essentially a three-game lead in the division with four to go since they swept the Jaguars.

The Colts have battled through a litany of injuries to get to where they are, but the biggest has been to Harrison. He enters each week with the speculation that he might make it back to the field, but then on Sunday, he isn't there. When one of the all-time greats isn't on the field, it would normally cripple an offense.

Wayne has made sure it hasn't. He caught eight passes for 158 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars, his third consecutive 100-yard game against the division rival.

So is Wayne basking in the limelight? He downplayed that talk when asked if he was.

"Same old, same old," Wayne said. "I just go out and play ball."

But you get the idea Wayne really is enjoying this time in the spotlight. Why wouldn't he? Last season, he went to the Pro Bowl when he caught 86 passes for 1,310 yards and nine touchdowns. This season, without Harrison, he has 76 catches for 1,169 yards and eight touchdowns.

"Reggie could go anywhere else and be the No. 1 guy," Colts tight end Dallas Clark said. "I love playing with him. He does all the little things to be a great receiver."

Wayne's 48-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter Sunday was a thing of beauty. He blew past corner Brian Williams in man coverage and softly gathered in a perfect Manning pass, jogging into the end zone for the score.

He made several other big catches, and the best thing about that is he's doing so with coverage being rolled his way. See, when you are the man, they play you like you are the man. He's getting loads of attention.

"Reggie's a playmaker now," Manning said. "He has got some real 'want to' in him as far as wanting to stay on the field, not wanting to punt and keep our offense out there. Of course, you have to look for a guy like Reggie on third downs. You feel good. You trust him. He is going to be in the right spot and make the catch."

Wayne was playing with a heavy heart Sunday. He was a friend of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who died on Tuesday after being shot Monday in a home invasion. The two worked out together with the rest of the Miami alums in the NFL in the off-season.

"This one is bittersweet," Wayne said.

He will head to Miami Monday for the funeral.

Manning threw four touchdown passes against the Jaguars, giving him 23 on the season. He has tossed 20 in 10 consecutive seasons, tying Dan Marino for the NFL record.

But it hasn't been easy.

"You always expect 100-percent effort and execution," Manning said. "But there is no question when you don't have all your starting players it's probably not going to look like what it usually looks like."

Colts coach Tony Dungy wouldn't put a timeline on Harrison's return. He did say that the victory over the Jaguars, which pretty much seals the division, will allow them the luxury of not rushing him back.

If they are wise, they hold him out until the playoffs. What's the rush? They'll need the full arsenal for the Patriots. When he does return, he will join a group that is even better than it was when he left. Gonzalez is playing much better than he was early in the season, which gives them an additional weapon. He started outside against the Jaguars, but would move to the slot when Harrison returns.

Wayne is the anti-Harrison. Where Harrison is aloof and private, Wayne is open and accommodating. He is also much closer with his teammates. You get the idea when talking to them that they are all happy for Wayne. Harrison sulks after games. Wayne stands up and faces the music when things don't go well.

"I have so much respect for the guy," Clark said.

The opposition does now, too. You can see it in the way they play him. It's his time to catch the Manning passes. It's his time in the spotlight.

Marvin and Reggie? Right now, it's Reggie and Marvin.

The supporting actor has taken over the lead role and he's doing one hell of a job with it.