Week 11 NFL, Patriots Vs. Colts: Peyton Manning Comeback Bid Falls Short; Pats Win 31-28

Peyton Manning had the New England Patriots on the ropes. His knockout blow turned into a rather massive whiff.

Manning drove the Indianapolis Colts into field goal range late in regulation - close enough for a game-tying field goal try from Adam Vinatieri - but the Colts elected to keep throwing. A Manning pass floated a bit too high, well away from any Colts receivers in the area, and the pass was easily intercepted by Patriots safety James Sanders to effectively end the game.

Not twenty minutes ago, we asked if Peyton Manning could lead the Indianapolis Colts back from a 31-14 deficit against the New England Patriots in consecutive years.

Of course he can. He’s Peyton Manning. It probably shouldn’t have even been asked.

Trailing 31-14 with just over ten minutes remaining in New England, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts used just under two and a half minutes of game clock to cut that Patriots lead to ten points. Manning found Blair White over the middle for a five-yard score, capping a 73-yard drive that was keyed by a 36-yard run by second-year running back Donald Brown.

Manning’s third touchdown pass of the game makes the score 31-21 in favor of the Patriots with 7:57 remaining in regulation.

Peyton Manning threw his second interception of the game late in the third quarter, and the New England Patriots capitalized with a 25-yard Shayne Graham field goal to extend their lead over the Indianapolis Colts to 31-14. Ten minutes remain in the fourth quarter.

The situation is rather similar to the 2009 meeting between these two clubs, when the Patriots led the Colts 31-14 in the fourth quarter of a November 15 game in Indianapolis. Manning, of course, led the Colts to three consecutive scores in that game - two of them touchdown passes - in leading Indianapolis from behind to a thrilling 35-34 home victory. That game is famous for Bill Belichick’s decision to go for it on 4th & 2 deep in Colts territory; Kevin Faulk was stopped short, and Manning hit Reggie Wayne for the game-winning points on the ensuing possession.

The New England Patriots have extended their lead over the Indianapolis Colts to 28-14, thanks mostly to a drive’s worth of excellent work from scat back Danny Woodhead.

For the game, Woodhead has 60 rushing yards on five carries - stats that include the 36-yard touchdown rush that gave the Patriots their 14-point lead. Woodhead has added four receptions for a further 21 yards. It’s almost unfair to point out that the Pats nabbed Woodhead off the waiver wire earlier this year - kind of like you did in fantasy football, except with much higher stakes.

Peyton Manning didn’t need to assist for the New England Patriots’ second touchdown of today’s game. After forcing Manning and the Indianapolis Colts to punt on their second possession, Tom Brady methodically led the Pats down the field, capping off a 15-play, 82-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez. The score gives the Patriots a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Both New England and Indianapolis have had the ball for two possessions in this contest. New England has already picked up nine first downs and 113 total yards in their two possessions, while the Colts have just three first downs, 66 total yards and a turnover on their possessions.

The New England Patriots have opened up an early 7-0 lead on the Indianapolis Colts thanks to a key mistake by Peyton Manning.

On the opening drive of the ball game, Manning floated a pass over the middle intended for undrafted rookie receiver Blair White. Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather made the easy interception, giving Tom Brady the football at Indy’s 32-yard line.

After all, the team showed last year just how much it respects the four-time MVP.

One of the better and tightest rivalries in the NFL resumes this weekend, as Indianapolis looks to deal New England its first regular-season home loss since 2008 Sunday at Gillette Stadium.