New York’s Folk Hero! Last Second Field Goal Sinks Defending AFC Champs
Here’s how it could have ended… A 50-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal sank the New York Jets Super Bowl in the game’s last minute lifted Indianapolis Colts to a 16-14 victory over the New York Jets Sunday.And here’s the rest of the story… Following a 47-yard Antonio Cromartie kick return, Mark Sanchez led the Jets on a five-play, 40-yard drive that was capped by a 32-yard Nick Folk field goal as time expired to give the Jets a 17-16 road victory and redemption for last year’s AFC Championship Game loss.
Far from his best performance ever, second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 189 yards behind a 18-for-31 passing performance. He did not throw a touchdown, but did have an interception.
New York’s offense was lead by LaDainian Tomlinson who finally got his signature post season performance. The 31-year-old back ran for 82 yards and two touchdowns against the Colts defense.
Sean Greene added to Indy’s d-line woes with a 19-carry, 70-yard performance.
In total the Jets rushed for 169 yards on the night.
In the loss, Manning managed to stay consistent and nearly guided the Colts to the win. The 13-year NFL veteran and future Hall of Famer was 18-of-26 for 225 yards and a score.
The Colts dormant running game sprang to life in the fourth quarter as Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes combined for 93 yards on the ground. For the first time in four games Indy failed to rush for more than 100 yards.
Pierre Garcon led Colts receivers with five grabs for 112 yards and Manning’s only touchdown.
Vinatieri finished the night 3-for-3 on field goal attempts.
Adam Vinatieri’s 43-yard field goal gives Colts 23-20 win over Titans – Indianapolis Star
Vinatieri’s clutch kick clinched the AFC South and the conference’s No. 3 playoff seed. The Colts will meet the sixth-seeded New York Jets (11-5) in a wild card game at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The game will be broadcast on WTHR-13.
The Colts (10-6) closed with four consecutive victories to win their division for the seventh time in the past eight seasons. They also extended their run of consecutive seasons with 10 or more victories to nine and their streak of postseason appearances to nine.
Dallas (1975-83) is the only other team in NFL history to make nine straight playoff appearances.
Tennessee (6-10) lost for the eighth time in its past nine games.
The Colts appeared to be in a desperate position when running back Dominic Rhodes fumbled and the Titans took over at the Colts 37 with 1:34 to play but Tennessee quarterback Kerry Collins fumbled the snap two plays later and Colts end Robert Mathis recovered.
The Colts zipped 37 yards in five plays to set up Vinatieri’s kick.
Manning finished 27-for-41 for 264 yards and two touchdowns.
Collins completed 28-of-39 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns.
The Colts took a 20-13 lead on Manning’s 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Pierre Garcon. The Titans tied it on Collins’ 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Chris Johnson with 4:18 to play in the third quarter.
The Colts led 13-6 at halftime on Manning’s 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne and 48- and 44-yard field goals by Vinatieri.
Rob Bironas kicked 26- and 42-yard field goals for the Titans.
No comments:
Post a Comment