Who 'dat? The NFL season culminated in a fantastic finale. The conclusion wasn’t one the Colts would like to savor. Miami’s Sun Life Stadium played host to Superbowl XLIV where 16-3 Indianapolis was dramatically defeated by 16-3 New Orleans. The Saints sailed away with their first championship in franchise history after a 31-17 capping of the Colts. Indianapolis was stunned in the end, despite running and protecting the football well enough throughout the contest. New Orleans quarterback, Drew Brees, tied a Superbowl record with 32 completions. He was saintly in the final three quarters, missing only three attempts. The Colts had a chance to tie the score late in the fourth quarter. Peyton Manning , the league MVP and magnificent Colts signal caller, mistakenly threw in game-altering interception on third down. Saints second year cornerback, Tracy Porter, returned the ball 74 yards the other way to shock the shaken Colts.
Indianapolis kicked off the ball the begin their quest for another Superbowl behind Manning. The Colts put up the game’s first ten points, and only tallies of the first quarter. Matt Stover legged a 38 yard field goal to complete a 53 yard, 11 play Indianapolis drive seven and a half minutes into the first quarter. The blue and white lead was increased to 10-0 following Manning’s 19 yard haul into the end zone to wideout, Pierre Garcon. Garcon was being defended by a safety in the corner slot and Manning took advantage of the matchup. The 96 yard drive was the longest in Superbowl history. Indianapolis’ injured defensive standout, Dwight Freeney, started and played most of the contest. Freeney was a disruptive force in the first half. The Pro Bowl defensive end pressured and pulled down Brees with a one-handed grab midway through the second quarter. The result was a Garrett Hartley 46 yard field goal. The Saints settled for three again before time expired in the half. Hartley knocked home his second field goal, a 44-yard straightaway boot that trimmed the New Orleans deficit to four points. Although the Colts led at the break, they held the ball for less than three minutes and went three-and-out on both possessions of the second quarter. The tide was starting to turn the New Orleans’ way.
The Who plodded together a nostalgic, but arguably awful-sounding halftime show before the most surprising and dramatic play of the Superbowl. Saints’ head coach, Sean Payton, called for an onside kick to begin the second half. New Orleans recovered the gamble when wide receiver, Hank Baskett, let the ball squirt through his hands. The risk paid off immediately for Payton and the Saints. Running back, Pierre Thomas, finished with double digit touches, and caught the first loft from Brees during the second half’s opening drive. Brees proceeded downfield, frustrating the Colts’ defense. The Saints’ cool quarterback found an open Devery Henderson for nine and five yard receptions, and hit Marques Colston on first down for a nine yard gain. Thomas scrambled up the middle for seven, and another Saints first down at the Indy 16 yard line. The stark back gave New Orleans their first lead of the game by pulling down a 16 yard touchdown pass from Brees.
Joseph Addai ignited the running game for the Colts. Indy’s ground game would eclipse that of the Saints’ 51. Addai finished with 13 carries for 77 yards and one touchdown. The seven pointer came on a divine four yard twisting rush with 6:15 remaining in the third quarter. The 10 play, 76 yard drive placed the Colts back on top by three points, but would be the last points for Indy of the night. Lance Moore made a dazzling two-point conversion catch with just under six minutes left in the game to follow up a Jeremy Shockey touchdown grab. The former Giants tight end heaved in a two yard pass from Brees and the two-point conversation provided the Saints a seven point advantage. Colston led all Saints with 83 receiving yards. He shook off a rough first quarter to come up with big gains. Reggie Bush, the former USC tailback, was also a key factor in the win for New Orleans. Neither Bush nor Colston scored, but they kept the chains moving down the stretch. Indy’s defense failed to tackle and make plays throughout the second half. Brees’ arm was on fire and most deservedly the game’s MVP. The man behind center for the Saints completed 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Manning went 31 of 45 for 33 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Manning was poised to set up a tying touchdown with under five minutes in the game. He completed to Garcon for 17 yards and twice found Reggie Wayne to give the Colts a chance at the New Orleans’ 36 yard line. Coverage ace and unsung hero, Porter, snagged the pick that eventually sent the Saints to their 31-17 victory. Manning again led the charge as the Colts tried to manufacture a late touchdown. Wayne dropped a fourth down pass at the goal line to seal the loss for Indianapolis. Wayne had five catches for 46 yards, and Dallas Clark finished in with a team high 86 yards on 7 receptions. The finely-tuned aerial passing attack just didn’t work for Manning last night. The Saints were the better team, coming up big in big situations. Brees’ quick release and route reads were nearly impeccable Sunday night. Both quarterbacks were the central part of the outcome. The impenitent Indy team that won 14 straight games under Jim Caldwell was stopped by a more determined and efficient football club from New Orleans.
Parting Points: Song of the day- “When the Saints go Marching in”
Showing posts with label Indianapolis Colts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indianapolis Colts. Show all posts
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
Painter Portrays Playoff Picture
It took the longest kickoff return in team history and Colts’ coach, Jim Caldwell, pulling his starters for the Jets to pull into a four-way tie for the final AFC playoff spot. Gang Green improved to 8-7 and controls their own destiny after handing Indianapolis their first loss of the season. The Jets’ 29-15 road victory over the unbeaten Colts ended Indy’s record 23 regular season winning streak. Caldwell benched quarterback, Peyton Manning, and most of his other key players, during the second half. The move was a clear indicator the rookie head coach is preserving and protecting his players for the playoffs. Still, Rex Ryan’s Jets, on the brink of being eliminated from the extra season, responded with authority. New York outscored the Colts 19-0 after Manning was removed. A win next week against AFC North champion Cincinnati would put the Jets in the playoffs. Gang Green remains tied in their wildcard pursuits with Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Denver and Houston. Sunday’s surprising defeat on the road puts them in a “win and you’re in” position.
The Jets’ sealed the first loss by the Colts in over a year and snuck a step closer to returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2006 with two fourth quarter scores. Clinging to a three point lead with fifteen minutes left, Jay Feely’s 43 yard field goal made it a 21-15 Jets’ advantage early in the final quarter. Thomas Jones’ one yard touchdown run was followed by a two-point conversion to increase the visitor’s lead to the final score, 29-15. Jones finished with 105 yards on the ground and rookie rusher, Shonn Greene, put up 95 yards. New York’s running game seized control of the game and guided the offense all day. First year signal caller from USC, Mark Sanchez, was 12 of 19 for 106 yards. The mistake-prone, often scrutinized Sanchez went without an interception, relying on a bevy of core receivers.
Lucas Oil Stadium erupted in cheers when Joseph Addai scrambled for the game’s first score, a 21 yard rushing touchdown. Addai and the Colts struggled with the Jets’ run defense. Addai mustered just 40 yards on the ground, but his long 21 resulted in a home touchdown. Donald Brown, in his first season out of UConn, wasn’t much of a factor with feet. The rookie carried the ball 15 times for 22 yards Indianapolis made it a 9-0 game in the second quarter behind Adam Vinatieri’s 22 yard boot. Feely put New York on the board with a three point kick from 35 yards with 1:44 remaining before halftime. Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards paced the Jets’ offense in the first half.
The Jets mastered the number one seed in the AFC during the second half. Brad Smith ran Pat McAfee’s kickoff back 106 yards for a touchdown to shift the momentum the Gang Green way. The longest play in Jets’ history gave New York a one point edge. Indianapolis regained the lead on the next possession. The Colts went up 15-10 on Brown’s one yard run on an 81 yard drive. The Jets did a credible job against Manning. The MVP tossed for 192 yards through the air and completed 14 of 21 passes. The defense began blitzing more often as soon as Manning’s replacement came into the game in with the Jets trailing in the third. Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne blanketed the Jets defense all game, but were also yanked in the third quarter. New York took the lead for good when Purdue product, Curtis Painter, fumbled. Marques Douglas recovered the backup quarterback’s fumble and turned it into six Gang Green points. Sanchez’s two point pass to Dustin Keller made it 18-15 Jets, putting Indy’s hopes of perfection in jeopardy. Painter also threw an interception, while completed four of his 11 passes. The undefeated season wasn’t a priority for Caldwell. He could have left Manning and a handful of other starters in the game to finish off New York. Manning is capable of comebacks and sustaining drives. The cornerstone of the Colts methodically moved the Colts 81 yards to set up the go-ahead scored after Smith’s record return. The Pro Bowl passer would have held Indy out in front had he not been benched. Instead, Caldwell allowed the visitors to top his backups and crush their bid for a perfect season. Caldwell probably figured his team already had home-field advantage. He would rather lose the game than lose an important player before the playoffs.
Parting Points: The Giants were ousted by the Panthers in their worst (and final) home defeat since 1995.
206 yards from Jonathan Stewart? I mean, seriously!? And, just how many ways can Jon Beason beat you?
The Cowboys snagged at least a wildcard berth by shutting out the reeling Redskins. They can win the NFC East with a trouncing of the Eagles next week.
The Jets’ sealed the first loss by the Colts in over a year and snuck a step closer to returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2006 with two fourth quarter scores. Clinging to a three point lead with fifteen minutes left, Jay Feely’s 43 yard field goal made it a 21-15 Jets’ advantage early in the final quarter. Thomas Jones’ one yard touchdown run was followed by a two-point conversion to increase the visitor’s lead to the final score, 29-15. Jones finished with 105 yards on the ground and rookie rusher, Shonn Greene, put up 95 yards. New York’s running game seized control of the game and guided the offense all day. First year signal caller from USC, Mark Sanchez, was 12 of 19 for 106 yards. The mistake-prone, often scrutinized Sanchez went without an interception, relying on a bevy of core receivers.
Lucas Oil Stadium erupted in cheers when Joseph Addai scrambled for the game’s first score, a 21 yard rushing touchdown. Addai and the Colts struggled with the Jets’ run defense. Addai mustered just 40 yards on the ground, but his long 21 resulted in a home touchdown. Donald Brown, in his first season out of UConn, wasn’t much of a factor with feet. The rookie carried the ball 15 times for 22 yards Indianapolis made it a 9-0 game in the second quarter behind Adam Vinatieri’s 22 yard boot. Feely put New York on the board with a three point kick from 35 yards with 1:44 remaining before halftime. Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards paced the Jets’ offense in the first half.
The Jets mastered the number one seed in the AFC during the second half. Brad Smith ran Pat McAfee’s kickoff back 106 yards for a touchdown to shift the momentum the Gang Green way. The longest play in Jets’ history gave New York a one point edge. Indianapolis regained the lead on the next possession. The Colts went up 15-10 on Brown’s one yard run on an 81 yard drive. The Jets did a credible job against Manning. The MVP tossed for 192 yards through the air and completed 14 of 21 passes. The defense began blitzing more often as soon as Manning’s replacement came into the game in with the Jets trailing in the third. Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne blanketed the Jets defense all game, but were also yanked in the third quarter. New York took the lead for good when Purdue product, Curtis Painter, fumbled. Marques Douglas recovered the backup quarterback’s fumble and turned it into six Gang Green points. Sanchez’s two point pass to Dustin Keller made it 18-15 Jets, putting Indy’s hopes of perfection in jeopardy. Painter also threw an interception, while completed four of his 11 passes. The undefeated season wasn’t a priority for Caldwell. He could have left Manning and a handful of other starters in the game to finish off New York. Manning is capable of comebacks and sustaining drives. The cornerstone of the Colts methodically moved the Colts 81 yards to set up the go-ahead scored after Smith’s record return. The Pro Bowl passer would have held Indy out in front had he not been benched. Instead, Caldwell allowed the visitors to top his backups and crush their bid for a perfect season. Caldwell probably figured his team already had home-field advantage. He would rather lose the game than lose an important player before the playoffs.
Parting Points: The Giants were ousted by the Panthers in their worst (and final) home defeat since 1995.
206 yards from Jonathan Stewart? I mean, seriously!? And, just how many ways can Jon Beason beat you?
The Cowboys snagged at least a wildcard berth by shutting out the reeling Redskins. They can win the NFC East with a trouncing of the Eagles next week.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Perfect Ponies Pounce
The low profile Indianapolis Colts put their high profile perfect record on the line in Jacksonville for Thursday night football. The Jaguars hosted the undefeated Colts with their own hopes of earning a wildcard berth. The Colts eclipsed the Jaguars 35-31 for their 14th win, and 23rd in a row. Jacksonville fell to 7-7 as their push for the playoffs took a hit. The Colts captured home field advantage throughout the playoffs last week. Only the Jets and Bills stand in the way of an unblemished Indianapolis season and pro football immortality.
Quarterback Peyton Manning threw for 308 yards and four touchdowns in the four point Colts victory in Florida last night. Manning’s final fling was good for a 65 yard Reggie Wayne touchdown to put Indianapolis up for good in the fourth quarter. Jacksonville had a chance to pull off the upset in the final minutes. The home team drove to the Colts’ 33 yard line with 1:13 ticks on the clock. Jaguar signal caller, David Garrard, overthrew Mike Thomas on a third and long play following two incompletions. Rookie cornerback, Jacob Lacey, intercepted the pass and the Colts ran out the clock to secure the road defeat. It was Lacey’s second interception of the year. Garrard matched Manning with accurate passes and played fairly well until the final drive. He did misread a few crucial routes during the second half that could have been big plays for the Jaguars. The 31 year old passer threw three touchdowns and was 23 of 40 in completions. Garrard tossed 223 yards and was aided by a nifty ground game from Maurice Jones-Drew. The talented back was productive in carrying the ball 27 times for 110 yard and a score.
Manning was top notch behind center as expected. The MVP completed his first 13 passes and finished 23 of 30. After the Jaguars went up 3-0 on Josh Scobee’s 50 yard field goal in the first quarter, Manning’s six yard touchdown pass to Dallas Clark gave the Colts the edge. Jacksonville made it a 10-7 affair less than three minutes later. Jones-Drew skipped into the end zone the recipient of a 9 yard pass from Gerrard with 5:14 remaining in the half. He broke free from the pack and snuck behind linebacker, Clint Session, to hang on to the pass. The 5’7” Jaguars’ running back ran 14 times for 73 yards in the first half. Jones-Drew punched in his second score during the second quarter to give him 16 rushing this season. His three yard scramble came after a 93 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Colts’ return-man, Chad Simpson. The game continued its back-and-forth momentum after the Colts swung the advantage their way on Austin Collie’s touchdown. The late second quarter 23 yard grab sent Indianapolis into the locker room with a 21-17 lead. Interestingly, there were no first half punts. The first punt of the game didn’t occur until the final quarter.
Garrard threw a 16 yard strike to Mike Sims-Walker to open the second half scoring. Sims-Walker’s 3rd-and 11 reception put the Jags on top by three. The nine play Jaguars drive shaved just 3:45 off the clock and came following a Manning interception to Daryl Smith. The pass was bobbled by Clark at the Indy 32 yard line on their first possession of the third quarter. Manning drove the Colts 80 yards on the next possession. He found an open Wayne for 21 yards to convert a third down before the efficient quarterback connected for a second time with Clark for a quick seven. Clark bounced off safety, Reggie Nelson, a slipped into the end zone as the Colts recaptured the lead. The home team wasn’t done finding the end zone. The third quarter shootout didn’t end until Mike Thomas hauled in Gerrard’s third touchdown pass on another nine play Jacksonville drive. The rookie receiver from Arizona returned the kickoff 43 yards to give the Jaguars exceptional field position before catching the first touchdown of his career.
Thursday’s clash featured nine lead changes. It was the final change that ultimately spelled disaster for the Jaguars. Manning made no scruple of seizing the slight advantage and jawing Jacksonville. He entertained accordingly in the final quarter to send the home team away with a loss. The Jags dropped their seventh game out of the last nine, but still cling to the hope of making the AFC wildcard. Indianapolis outlasted an untiring opponent with a last quarter score. Wayne’s solo touchdown was good for 65 of the receiver’s 132 yards. Clark had seven catches for 95 yards and two of the game’s seven touchdowns.
Parting Points: Nick Johnson a Yankee? I am all for the DH/1B having a second stint in New York.
One week until Christmas. Happy Friday!
Quarterback Peyton Manning threw for 308 yards and four touchdowns in the four point Colts victory in Florida last night. Manning’s final fling was good for a 65 yard Reggie Wayne touchdown to put Indianapolis up for good in the fourth quarter. Jacksonville had a chance to pull off the upset in the final minutes. The home team drove to the Colts’ 33 yard line with 1:13 ticks on the clock. Jaguar signal caller, David Garrard, overthrew Mike Thomas on a third and long play following two incompletions. Rookie cornerback, Jacob Lacey, intercepted the pass and the Colts ran out the clock to secure the road defeat. It was Lacey’s second interception of the year. Garrard matched Manning with accurate passes and played fairly well until the final drive. He did misread a few crucial routes during the second half that could have been big plays for the Jaguars. The 31 year old passer threw three touchdowns and was 23 of 40 in completions. Garrard tossed 223 yards and was aided by a nifty ground game from Maurice Jones-Drew. The talented back was productive in carrying the ball 27 times for 110 yard and a score.
Manning was top notch behind center as expected. The MVP completed his first 13 passes and finished 23 of 30. After the Jaguars went up 3-0 on Josh Scobee’s 50 yard field goal in the first quarter, Manning’s six yard touchdown pass to Dallas Clark gave the Colts the edge. Jacksonville made it a 10-7 affair less than three minutes later. Jones-Drew skipped into the end zone the recipient of a 9 yard pass from Gerrard with 5:14 remaining in the half. He broke free from the pack and snuck behind linebacker, Clint Session, to hang on to the pass. The 5’7” Jaguars’ running back ran 14 times for 73 yards in the first half. Jones-Drew punched in his second score during the second quarter to give him 16 rushing this season. His three yard scramble came after a 93 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Colts’ return-man, Chad Simpson. The game continued its back-and-forth momentum after the Colts swung the advantage their way on Austin Collie’s touchdown. The late second quarter 23 yard grab sent Indianapolis into the locker room with a 21-17 lead. Interestingly, there were no first half punts. The first punt of the game didn’t occur until the final quarter.
Garrard threw a 16 yard strike to Mike Sims-Walker to open the second half scoring. Sims-Walker’s 3rd-and 11 reception put the Jags on top by three. The nine play Jaguars drive shaved just 3:45 off the clock and came following a Manning interception to Daryl Smith. The pass was bobbled by Clark at the Indy 32 yard line on their first possession of the third quarter. Manning drove the Colts 80 yards on the next possession. He found an open Wayne for 21 yards to convert a third down before the efficient quarterback connected for a second time with Clark for a quick seven. Clark bounced off safety, Reggie Nelson, a slipped into the end zone as the Colts recaptured the lead. The home team wasn’t done finding the end zone. The third quarter shootout didn’t end until Mike Thomas hauled in Gerrard’s third touchdown pass on another nine play Jacksonville drive. The rookie receiver from Arizona returned the kickoff 43 yards to give the Jaguars exceptional field position before catching the first touchdown of his career.
Thursday’s clash featured nine lead changes. It was the final change that ultimately spelled disaster for the Jaguars. Manning made no scruple of seizing the slight advantage and jawing Jacksonville. He entertained accordingly in the final quarter to send the home team away with a loss. The Jags dropped their seventh game out of the last nine, but still cling to the hope of making the AFC wildcard. Indianapolis outlasted an untiring opponent with a last quarter score. Wayne’s solo touchdown was good for 65 of the receiver’s 132 yards. Clark had seven catches for 95 yards and two of the game’s seven touchdowns.
Parting Points: Nick Johnson a Yankee? I am all for the DH/1B having a second stint in New York.
One week until Christmas. Happy Friday!
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