By STEPHEN SAUX Special to the Daily Press
INDIANAPOLIS — The New England Patriots prevailed in a classic AFC battle that came down to a Willie McGinest stop of Edgerrin James on fourth and goal with only seconds remaining.
The Indianapolis Colts, led by quarterback Peyton Manning, looked as though they might once again run away with a come-from-behind win. Down 31-10 halfway through the third quarter, Manning completed touchdown passes to Reggie Wayne for 13 yards, Marvin Harrison for 26 yards and Troy Walters for 6 yards to tie the game with 10:21 left.
Set up by Bethel Johnson’s 67-yard kickoff return, the visiting Patriots quickly answered back with a four-play drive that ended with Tom Brady hitting Deion Branch in the corner of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown strike. Manning, who finished 29-48 passing for 278 yards and four touchdowns, again led the Colts, but the drive ended with a 29-yard field goal, bringing the score to 38-34. Hoping to get the ball back, the Colts defense needed one more stop with 3:27 to go. Uncharacteristic of the Patriot’s efficient offense, Brady wasted his opportunity to run the clock by passing the ball on the next four plays. Ken Walter added to the ineffectiveness of the series with an 18-yard punt, which put the ball back in Manning’s hands for one last drive.
In typical Manning fashion, Peyton drove his two-minute offense magnificently with clock management and accurate passing all the way to the 2-yard line. That’s when McGinist and his defense stifled the drive and preserved the win, which takes the Patriots to 10-2 for the first time in their history.
The Colts fall to 9-3 and have dropped out of first place in the AFC south. The Tennessee Titans can hold on to their first-place standing with a win Monday night against the last-place New York Jets.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 1, 2003. Read the original PDF.