Week 11 NFL, Patriots Vs. Colts: Peyton Manning’s Comeback Bid Falls Short

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.

The Colts had closed the gap to three points after Manning found Blair White for two separate scores within a three-minute window to erase a 31-14 Patriots lead. Manning’s game-clinching interception was his third of the day; the first two turned into ten Patriots points earlier in the game.

New England’s 31-28, by-the-skin-of-their-teeth victory is their second straight win, and improves their record to a league-best 8-2 on the season. Manning and the Colts, meanwhile, fall to 6-4 on the season, and must now bounce back from the emotional low of a near-miss on another dramatic comeback bid against the Patriots.