INDIANAPOLIS — The Patriots worked very hard to lose this game today.
After manhandling the Indianapolis Colts for three quarters with an incredible edge in time of possession, the Patriots went up in flames in the fourth quarter and succumbed, 30-23. The Patriots led, 23-14 with ten minutes to go in the game, but Peyton Manning led the Colts on two late touchdown drives to win the game.
The Patriots now fall to 2-6, and have a bye next week.
Despite the Patriots playing perhaps the best ball control offense they’ve ever played, the defense kept the Colts in the game thanks to two inexcusable long touchdown bombs from Manning to Marvin Harrison. Harrison caught a 51-yard pass in the first quarter, then hauled in a 78-yard bomb in the third quarter. In both cases, Otis Smith was the main cover corner, and he looked pretty much like he did in Super Bowl XXXI against Andre Rison of the Packers.
These plays proved decisive, as they nullified the great job of keeping Manning and his offense off the field by the Patriots. At one point in the game Harrison’s stats read three catches, 117 yards, two touchdowns.
The Patriots discovered a running attack today, as rookie J.R. Redmond gained 93 yards rushing today. But the Colts eventually managed to stop the draw plays the Patriots kept running all day, and in the fourth quarter that also spelled doom for the beleaguered Patriots.
Redmond caught a screen pass in the first quarter and rumbled 19 yards for the first Patriot touchdown. The Patriots would venture into the red zone on the next four possessions, but came away with only field goals in three of them.
Drew Bledsoe scored on a one-yard sneak for the other Patriot touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the Patriots up 23-14.
Manning hit Edgerrin James with a shovel pass from one yard out to cut the lead to 23-21. On their next possession, the Colts marched right down the field in seven plays, with James running it in from three yards out to put the Colts ahead to stay.
Despite their ball control prowess earlier in the game, the Patriots went four downs and out in each of their final two possessions.
Ian Logue has a full report tonight, Bob George has commentary a bit later on.
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Covering Boston Sports since 1997. Native of Worcester, Mass. Attended UMass and Univ of Michigan. Lives in California. Just recently retired after 40 years of public school teaching. Podcasts on YouTube at @thepic4139
