The Indianapolis Colts shocked the Detroit Lions on Sunday, as Andrew Luck fired two touchdown passes in the final three minutes of the game to pull off a dramatic 35-33 win.
Colts vs. Lions game recap: Andrew Luck leads incredible Indianapolis comeback
The Colts scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes to shock the Lions for a 35-33 win.
The Lions were favored and absolutely needed a win to even contend for a playoff appearance over the final month of the season. They appeared to have the game well in hand in the fourth quarter, leading by double digits as the clock wound down. But Luck shredded the Lions defense in the final three minutes, culminating with a game-ending dump-off touchdown pass to Donnie Avery. The Lions defense retreated to the end zone as it was clearly the final play of the game, but Luck scrambled to his right and dropped it off for Avery, who covered the final 10 yards to seal the win as time expired.
The Lions overwhelmed the Colts early with their high-powered passing attack, as both Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson had monstrous days. The Colts took a momentary 7-3 lead in the first quarter, but Stafford fired a 16-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew as the quarter wound down and the Lions would lead until the final second ticked off.
Luck had another three-interception game, as the Colts were forced to go to the air and play catch-up for much of the day. He did lead an impressive 80-yard touchdown drive to start the second half that cut the Lions lead to just two. Fellow rookie Vick Ballard capped it with an 11-yard touchdown and Indianapolis got right back in it.
But Stafford and Megatron would answer as the third quarter came to a close. Johnson hauled in a 46-yard laser from his quarterback to push the lead back to two possessions. Stafford had plenty of time to work in the pocket, but he rolled to his right and hit Johnson as he went to the ground at the goal line for the quick strike. The big play added to an already huge day for the duo.
That wouldn't be enough for the Lions, however, as Luck rebounded from his third interception of the day and fired a rocket over the top of the defense for a 42-yard touchdown to LaVon Brazill with under three minutes to play. That score brought the deficit to just five points, and the Colts held the Lions to get the ball back for one more possession with just over a minute to go. That's when Luck would lead the dramatic 75-yard drive to pull off the incredible win and put the Colts in prime position for a playoff spot.
Fantasy studs
Luck may have thrown three picks, but he also finished with four touchdowns on 24-of-54 passing and 391 yards. Megatron capped his huge day with 13 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown.
But did they cover?
The Lions were favored by a touchdown in most places, and the late Colts rally ensured that Indy covered.
What’s up next?
The Lions head to Lambeau Field for a primetime Sunday night game against the Packers. The Colts will host the Tennessee Titans.
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