Week 12: Colts at Chargers

Week 12 Matchup: Indianapolis Colts vs. San Diego Chargers

The game started off with the Chargers marching right down the field establishing the running game with the league's best back LaDanian Tomlinson. Then, of course thinking its gonna be a run, the Colts expecting it to go right to LT bit on the PA with a run commit and got burnt for a TD pass to Vincent Jackson.

PA Pass To Jackson: http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/video/298888

A little deflated, the Indianapolis Offense came out onto the field already in a 7-0 hole. Choosing a Singleback HB Dive figuring to gain a few yards on 1st down newly aquired HB Ronnie Brown found the hole thanks to amazing blocking and went 77 yards for the TD.

Ronnie Brown's TD Run: http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/video/309159

After driving down the field with ease again, Rivers through a crucial interception in the red-zone to little known CB Dante Hughes.

Moving down the field with the run, a sack on a 2nd down PA put them in a 3rd and long situation. Another sack on 3rd down, along with a Indianapolis recovered fumble led to a punt on 4th and 24.

After finally establishing some defense, the Colts forced a punt. For some reason, the Colts coach was not able to get the play in on time, so having a 4-3 defense out there led to Marlin Jackson attempting to return the punt. Marlin, definitely not what you would call a veteran punt returner, didn't know how to call a fair catch signal and got smashed right as he caught the ball leading to a fumble being picked up and returned for a TD by the Chargers.

Again a deflated Colts offense comes out onto the field. Marching down the field completely on Ronnie Brown and Joe Addai's backs, a TD pass to Dallas Clark up the seam tied the game at 14-14 with 26 seconds left in the half, which would be the score at the half.

Coming out of halftime, the Colts again looked to the ground game to move them down the field. After being forced into a 3rd and 6 at the 50 Petyon had to come out and do something. Sensing a zone, Manning called his usual pre-snap audibles and hit Clark, who got smashed but still held onto it, on a deep post for the 1st down. Despite Peyton's wishes, the coach called in the field goal unit on 4th and Inches from about the 10 yard line allowing them to take the lead, 17-14.

After the Colts Defense allowed the Chargers to move down the field yet again, they stepped up to stop a 3rd down and 10 run, to allow a 41 yard FG for the Chargers to tie up the game at 17 a piece.

After stalling on offense, the Colts punted and gave the Chargers great field position. This led to LT being LT and racing for a 65 yard TD.

LT TD Run: http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/video/299054


Petyon, sensing he need to take over the game, drove down the field connecting on a crucial 4th down conversion and tied up the game with a strike to Clark for his second TD.

Leaving the game up to his Defense with a little overt a minute left, on what looked like a sure sack or throwaway, Rivers connected with Jackson. But, the defense, sensing Petyon pacing back and forth on the sideline for another intentional grounding penalty on Rivers to force them to punt.

29 seconds left. This was Petyons time. After a few incomplete passes, someone came up big for the Colts offense... Quentin Jammer committed a pass interference on what looked like an overthrown ball to Reggie Wayne. Only 11 seconds left and a good 10 yards needed to get into Field Goal range, who was Peyton going to trust to get those yards? Reading the defense, Peyton hot-routed Clark to a streak (the same route he caught both his TDs on). Throwing deep, Clark, covered with a zone by Jammer, came down with the clutch catch and quickly called a time out with 2 seconds left in regulation.

Clark Clutch Catch: http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/video/309191

Clutch kicker Adam Vinatieri came in and knocked the easy 33 yard Field Goal for the win allowing the Colts to start the season 1-0. Great game. Final Score 27-24 Indianapolis Colts Win!

Player Stats:
IND Peyton Manning....137.8 rating....140 yards....2 TDs....0 INTs....8-13 passing
SD Phillip Rivers.... 90.3 rating....133 yards....1 TD....1 INT....6-11 passing

IND Ronnie Brown.... 24 attempts...170 yards...1 TD
IND Joe Addai.... 10 attempts...45 yards
SD LaDanian Tomlinson.... 18 attempts...153 yards... 1 TD

IND Dallas Clark....4 catches....101 yards....2 TDs
SD Vincent Jackson.... 4 catches....113 yards....1 TD

SD Shawn Merriman.... 8 Tackles.... 1 Tackle For A Loss
IND Dwight Freeney.... 5 Tackels.... 2 Tackles For A Loss... 1 Sack
IND Dante Hughes.... 1 Interception
SD Cletis Gordon.... 1 Forced Fumble.... 1 Fumble Recovery.... 1 Defensive TD

Highlights to come soon.