Stirring memories of their epic comeback win in the AFC Championship Game three seasons ago, the Indianapolis Colts pulled another rabbit out of their hats Sunday night against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots – capping another exhilarating edition of the NFL’s marquee rivalry.
Trailing by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter – and behind by thirteen points with less than three minutes to play – the Colts rallied for two touchdowns in the game’s final moments to seal the improbable 35-34 victory, a win which puts Indy in the drivers’ seat for home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs.
Veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne caught the game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Peyton Manning with just thirteen seconds left on the clock – a dagger in the heart of a New England team that had shut the Colts’ offense down for most of the night.
Making the loss even more painful, a questionable decision by Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick afforded Indianapolis its last-second opportunity.
On a fourth-and-two from their own 28-yard-line with just two minutes on the clock, Belichick inexplicably kept his punting unit on the sideline and chose to go for it.
“You have to punt the ball there,” former Indianapolis head coach Tony Dungy said after the game, although in fairness Belichick would have looked like a genius had the Patriots come up with the first down.
They didn’t, though.
Running back Kevin Faulk caught a short pass from Brady just ahead of the first down marker, but he bobbled the reception – which negated any of his forward progress. Accordingly, the referees marked Faulk where he landed – about a half-yard shy of the first down marker.
Belichick’s costly gamble set the Colts up with a short field and nearly two full minutes on the clock, which was more than enough time for Manning and the Indianapolis offense to score the go-ahead touchdown.
Wayne’s final, fingertip grab was one of ten catches on the night for the three-time Pro Bowler, who finished with 126 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
“It’s hard to say if it was his best catch ever,” Manning said of Wayne’s game-winning grab. “But it was timely.”
For New England the loss made painful history, as no team coached by Belichick has ever squandered that large of a lead in the fourth quarter.
Once again, the much-hyped duel between Manning and Brady lived up to its advance billing. Brady finished 29 of 42 for 375 yards, 3 touchdowns and one interception, while Manning finished 28 of 44 for 327 yards, 4 touchdowns and two interceptions.
By Man with the golden (pellet) gun November 16, 2009 at 11:04 am
Peyton for MVP! Is there anyone else doin this many big things for one team? How many games has he thrown for 300 yards now? Dungy was a great coach, but Peyton seems to be fine with a new HC and OC.
By Just a good ole boy November 16, 2009 at 12:46 pm
In the 70′s(yes we had TV,football and even indoor plumbing) the AFC was dominated by the Raiders,the Dolphins and Steelers. Forty years later its the Patriots,the Steelers and Colts. The more things change the more they stay the same…
By Andy November 16, 2009 at 11:18 pm
This game was just fantastic. So exciting, it lived up to the hype.
The 4th and 2 call was definitely all or nothing, I don’t mind the call Belichick made. I don’t think it was lack of confidence in his defense as much as more confidence in his offense. And it is Peyton, he would’ve went 65 yards as easy as he went the 30 or so.
Hope they meet again in the playoffs.
By Meg November 17, 2009 at 3:14 pm
This was a great game, but a heart-breaking game for a Colts fan like myself, until that last few minutes of the game. Not only is this a game that faces two rivals, but two of the greatest QBs in the history of the NFL. As much as I grit my teeth to say it, the Patriots do have a great team, and Brady has a great arm. I can’t stand it when everyone constantly compares the two QBs, their styles are very different and unique. Belichick’s call to me was hilarious and served them right to loose the game. It smacked the ego of the team more than anything, for they have lost a few games this season, but not from a one point win due to a bad call. Belichick and his cockiness to win and believe the Colts defense or offense couldn’t possibly stop them, was a bigger drive for the Colts to win. They were up 6, all they had to do was punt the ball, hold the Colts to a field goal and it would be over. Or even if the Colts scored, Brady could have had enough time to drive it back for a one point win in their favor. Instead Belichick and his high-horse was wounded because he underestimated the Colts and to be honest, it serves him every right. The Colts have been known to be a second-half team, and even more so a 4th quarter team. Everyone wants to say “Oh Manning chokes” but plain and simple, he is the QB I’d want in the last few minutes and a TD is needed. He’s done is so many times. Belichick’s call, was not the only reason they lost, but it was the last chance for the Colts to win, and he gave them the game on silver platter. I’m so tried of Belichick and his ego, that it highly amused me to watch him be shut down. They may have a good offense, a good record for going for it on 4th downs and making it, but they really didn’t think of Manning or the Colts 4th quarter drives, as seen also in the AFC championship against the Patriots. Belichick should just admit he made a mistake and move on with it. He’s only pulling the rope tighter by still being egotistical, as he was when he made that call.