Indianapolis pick up 19th consecutive victory with uncharacteristically shaky 17-15 win over Baltimore
The undefeated Indianapolis Colts found yet another way to win a close game, their 19th straight victory.
The 17-15 win secured on former Ravens kicker Matt Stover’s go-ahead field goal gave Indianapolis (10-0), the second-longest streak in NFL history behind a 21-game run by the New England Patriots (2006-08). Indy received an inspired performance from the defense and overcame an uncharacteristic three turnovers.
Much to the dismay of the Ravens and their fans, Stover booted the decisive field goal with 7:02 left. Colts linebacker Gary Brackett then intercepted Joe Flacco’s pass at the Indianapolis 13 with 2:42 remaining, and the Colts kept the ball until the closing seconds.
Baltimore’s last gasp ended when Ed Reed fumbled on a punt return with 17 seconds left.
Indianapolis has won its last four games by a combined 10 points. The Colts usually rely on Peyton Manning, who fashioned a huge comeback against New England last week, but the credit for this victory belonged to a defense that did not allow a touchdown.
Billy Cundiff made field goals of 46, 44, 38, 36 and 20 yards in his debut with Baltimore (5-5). But he also was wide right on a 30-yard attempt that would have given the Ravens a 15-14 lead in the third quarter.
Cundiff, signed Wednesday after the Ravens cut an ineffective Steve Hauschka – who originally replaced Stover – tied Stover’s team record for field goals in a game.
After Cundiff’s final field goal gave Baltimore a 15-14 lead with 10:12 left, Manning moved Indianapolis 60 yards before Stover slammed home a 25-yarder to put the Colts ahead for good.
Manning went 22 for 31 for 299 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The Colts’ other turnover was a fumble by tight end Tom Santi at the Baltimore 4.
Taking advantage of the Colts’ injury-depleted defensive backfield, Flacco went 23 for 35 for 256 yards. But he couldn’t get Baltimore into the end zone, and that proved costly when the Ravens had to kick a field goal in the fourth quarter after getting a first down at the Indianapolis 1.
Manning threw for 192 yards and a touchdown to help Indianapolis take a 14-12 halftime lead.
The Colts moved 87 yards in seven plays after the opening kickoff. A 66-yard completion from Manning to Pierre Garcon set up a 3-yard, one-handed TD catch by tight end Dallas Clark.
Baltimore’s Lardarius Webb fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and officials gave the ball to Indianapolis. But the call was overturned following a challenge by Ravens coach John Harbaugh, and Baltimore got a field goal out of the drive.
Interceptions by Dawan Landry and Reed set up field goals by the Ravens, but Joseph Addai put Indianapolis back in front with a 5-yard touchdown run.
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