INDIANAPOLIS —
Incredible.
Trailing 21-3 at halftime to the Green Bay Packers, the Indianapolis Colts staged one of the most impressive — and improbable — comebacks in franchise history en route to a 30-27 victory Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Reggie Wayne’s 4-yard touchdown reception, along with a 2-point conversion run by Donald Brown, with 35 seconds remaining in the game proved to be the difference in a win that had to be seen to be believed.
In fact, it came down to a missed 51-yard field goal attempt by Green Bay’s Mason Crosby that sailed wide right with eight seconds remaining in the game that finally sent most of an announced crowd of 67,020 home happy.
Crosby missed both of his field goal attempts on the day (he had also misfired on a 52-yard kick that also landed right of the goal posts). Still, the story of the game proved to be how a youthful group of Colts rallied time and again against one of the best teams in the National Football League and came away with a hard-earned victory.
Wayne’s catch capped a remarkable day for the veteran wide receiver. He caught 13 passes for 212 yards. On the touchdown catch, the 12-year veteran was hit by two Green Bay defenders and reached the ball over the goal line with an outstretched arm.
Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck came of age Sunday as well. Despite a relentless Green Bay pass rush, which sacked Luck four times in the first half, the Colts’ No. 1 draft pick completed 31 of 55 passes for 362 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also had one interception.
Luck also ran the ball six times for an additional 24 yards, but none was bigger than his 7-yard scramble up the middle on a third-and-7 at the Packers’ 11-yard line. While barely making the first down the run set up the game-winning pass to Wayne.
As much as the victory was big for a Colts team still stinging over a 22-17 home loss to Jacksonville two weeks ago, it was also meaningful because of what it meant to Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano, who has been in an Indianapolis hospital for over a week as he undergoes treatments for a form of leukemia.
Pagano watched Sunday’s game from his bed at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Care Center along with members of his immediate family.
Colts owner Jim Irsay and interim coach Bruce Arians were both emotional after the game, with Irsay taking a game ball for Pagano to the hospital. Arians also earned a game ball for a win that he later called “the greatest that I’ve ever been a part of.
“Can’t say enough about the resiliency of these guys. It wasn’t pretty in the first half. We all know that. We got together at halftime and there was no panic. It was just ‘this is what we have to do and let’s get it done,’ ” Arians said afterward.
“Better third-down football. We had to score with every [offensive] possession and we almost did. We had to get some [defensive] stops and we did. And then you can’t say enough about the end. It had a kind of storybook ending. And we’ve got a game ball for Chuck.”
Green Bay had roared to its first-half lead as Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw touchdown passes to James Jones (6 yards) and Randall Cobb (31 yards) and fullback John Kuhn scored on a 2-yard run.
Luck, along with the rest of the Colts offense, struggled to get much going over the first two quarters. The only Indianapolis points came on a 24-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Vinatieri was also wide left on a 53-yard attempt late in the second quarter.
Indianapolis outgained the Packers in the first half (208-179) and had one less first down (11-10). But Green Bay’s defense pummeled Luck. The Packers were flagged for a leading-with-the-head tackle when outside linebacker Nick Perry planted Luck, who completed 16 of 26 passes for 174 yards in the first half, on a blind-side collision.
Rodgers connected on 11 of 17 passes for 122 yards and a pair of touchdowns before heading into the locker room at halftime.
Momentum started to shift on Green Bay’s first possession of the third quarter. Cornerback Jerraud Powers intercepted a Rodgers pass to give Indianapolis a first down at the Packers’ 39-yard line. Five plays later, Luck fired an 8-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Dwayne Allen to narrow the margin to 21-10.
Vinatieri made the first of two second-half field goals, a 50-yard effort with 7:42 left in the third quarter, and the Green Bay lead was down to 21-13.
Luck scored on a 3-yard quarterback draw with 18 seconds remaining in the quarter to make it 21-19, but a 2-point conversion pass to Wayne failed. Vinatieri’s final field goal of the game, this one from 28 yards out, gave the Colts their first lead of the day at 22-21 with 8:04 remaining in the game.
Then the real fun started. Rodgers’ second touchdown pass of the day to Jones gave the Packers a 27-22 lead at the 4:30 mark of the fourth quarter. Green Bay’s two-point conversion pass came up short.
Luck then guided Indianapolis on a wild 13-play drive that covered 80 yards in 3:55. Sixty of those yards came on pass completions to Wayne, who hauled in five of the six passes thrown to him on the possession.
“The second half we missed some wide-open passes. [Luck] just kept swinging,” Arians acknowledged. “I told [Luck] ‘Don’t pause. Don’t get worried about it. Get your feet settled down in the pocket and make plays. You can do it.’ And then we we had the great drive at the end.
“I wish we had that long one [an overthrown pass to wide receiver Donnie Avery down the middle of the field] to take the lead. [But] I still think this ending’s better.”
Rodgers ended the game completing 21 of 33 passes for 243 yards and was intercepted once. He was also sacked five times, two by defensive end Cory Redding and one each by inside linebacker Moises Foukou, outside linebacker Dwight Freeney and outside linebacker Robert Mathis.
The Colts will now take their 2-2 record into next week’s road game with the New York Jets. Indianapolis has now matched last year’s win total. Green Bay, meanwhile, dropped to 2-3 heading into a nationally televised road game with Houston.
Colts
Related Photos
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Broke the plane: Indianapolis wide receiver Reggie Wayne holds the ball over the goal line to score the winning touchdown as he is pulled back by a Green Bay defender during the Colts' win Sunday in Indianapolis.
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Tough part of the job: Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck is hit by Green Bay's D.J. Smith as Luck passes the ball during the Colts' win Sunday in Indianapolis.
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Pull down jersey, pull down QB: Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is taken down by Indianapolis linebacker Jerrell Freeman during the Colts' 30-27 win Sunday in Indianapolis.
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Ahead by three: Indianapolis running back Donald Brown celebrates after he scored a two-point conversion during the Colts' win over Green Bay Sunday in Indianapolis.
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For coach: Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck rushes to pat a ribbon on a poster made to honor head coach Chuck Pagano after Luck ran in a touchdown during the Colts' 30-27 win over Green Bay Sunday in Indianapolis.
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Mid-air connection: Indianapolis tight end Dwayne Allen hangs onto the ball as he makes a catch between two Green Bay defenders Sunday during the Colts' win over the Packers.
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No completion on this one: Indianapolis cornerback Cassisus Vaughn interrupts a pass intended for Green Bay wide receiver Jordy Nelson during the Colts' win Sunday in Indianapolis.
Discussion
Colts refuse to quit against Packers
Team recovers from 18-point halftime deficit to sack Green Bay
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Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
While the Indianapolis Colts put their rookies and a handful of second-year players through workouts this weekend at the team’s Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, a pair of first-year coordinators are getting a chance to do some valuable on-field work as well.
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Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
The Indianapolis Colts welcomed 37 players to the start of the team’s rookie mini camp Friday at the West 56th Street headquarters.
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Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts received high marks for the impact players the team added through the NFL draft.
Of the 10 players selected, five ended up either starting or seeing extensive playing time (quarterback Andrew Luck, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Vick Ballard) during the Colts’ 11-5 season.
While this year’s class may not rival that group in terms of name recognition and flash, it may produce just as many major contributors once the 2013 season gets underway. -
Werner at top of game
Bjoern Werner was a late comer to football. But after being selected in the first round of the 2013 National Football League draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Werner realizes that he has reached the pinnacle of the sport in a relatively short amount of time.
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Colts select pass rusher Werner in first round
The Indianapolis Colts selected Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner. The 6-foot-3, 266-pound defensive lineman can also play left outside linebacker.
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Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
As the 2013 NFL draft gets underway tonight at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the Indianapolis Colts are continuing their wait-and-see stance in regard to the first-round pick.
The draft begins at 8 p.m. — televised by the NFL Network and ESPN — with the Kansas City Chiefs making the night’s first selection. Teams will have 10 minutes to make their decisions during the first round. Indianapolis will have the 24th overall pick in the first round.
There will be only one round tonight. The second and third rounds are scheduled for Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with seven minutes allotted per pick in the second round and five minutes allowed in the third. The final four rounds are slated to begin at noon Saturday with four minutes between selections.
As it stands now, Indianapolis does not have a second-round pick. It was traded to Miami last fall in exchange for veteran cornerback Vontae Davis. But second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has nut ruled out the possibility of trading down from the first round if the Colts aren’t satisfied with the players available. -
Direction clear for Colts in 2013 draft
The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2013 NFL Draft with some definite plans.
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Colts veteran among those excited to see Luck's growth in 2013-14
Veteran defensive end Cory Redding is a big fan — literally and figuratively — of Indianapolis Colts second-year quarterback Andrew Luck.
Redding, who has become one of the Colts’ lockerroom leaders after just one season with the team, thinks he has some reasonable expectations of Indianapolis’ former No. 1 draft pick. -
Heyward-Bey feeling fortunate to hook up with Luck
Add one more player to the list of veteran free agents signed by the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.
Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey agreed to a a deal with the Colts late Monday evening. Bey, who played collegiately at Maryland, was the seventh player selected in the first round of the 2009 National Football League draft. -
Colts sign nose tackle
Another day, more player signings for the Indianapolis Colts.
Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin agreed to terms with the Colts on Tuesday evening and officially signed with the team Wednesday. Franklin (6-1, 315) is a 10-year NFL veteran with stops in Baltimore (2003-06), San Francisco (2007-10), New Orleans (2011) and San Diego (2012). -
Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
The Indianapolis Colts’ roster moves just keep coming.
While the Colts haven’t yet added that big-name wide receiver that team owner Jim Irsay hinted at in tweets over the weekend, Indianapolis has addressed one area on offense.
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had agreed Monday night to be the Colts’ primary back-up to second-year starter Andrew Luck. He officially signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the team Tuesday morning.
“We are very pleased to announce the signing of Matt Hasselbeck,” general manager Ryan Grigson said in a prepared statement. “His body of work, intangibles, and extensive league experience speak for themselves. Those factors, plus his familiarity with our offensive scheme, will make him a great asset to our team and its vision as we move forward.” -
Colts likely done signing free agents, for now
With the possible exception of adding a few lesser-priced players, the Indianapolis Colts’ big-time foray into the veteran free-agent marketplace is pretty much done.
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Landry, Jean Francois join Colts defensive unit
After adding five veteran free agent players to the Indianapolis Colts roster on Tuesday, general manager Ryan Grigson plucked two more plums late Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.
New York Jets safety LaRon Landry and San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois both signed contracts with the Colts. Landry, a strong safety who appears to be a bigger version of former Indianapolis Pro Bowler Bob Sanders, and the versatile Jean-Francois are expected to make immediate impacts on the Colts’ defensive unit. -
Colts introduce free-agent signees
What the Indianapolis Colts accomplished last season — posting an 11-5 record and earning an AFC wild-card berth with a young team plus having that kind of success without its head coach on the sidelines for 12 games — didn’t go unnoticed by players around the NFL.
That was especially true for the five veteran free agents who were added to the Colts’ roster Tuesday. Offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus (Detroit), cornerback Greg Toler (Arizona), outside linebacker Erik Walden (Green Bay), offensive guard Donald Thomas (New England) and linebacker Lawrence Sidbury (Atlanta) admitted as much Wednesday.
“I felt like this would be the best fit for me at this point in my career. I really liked what I saw was happening with the program here and the way things have taken shape. I feel like we have a really great team here and it’s on the rise. I really wanted to be a part of that,” Thomas said during a teleconference interview with the Colts’ media. -
Colts sign five free agents, filling needs at offensive line, cornerback
The Indianapolis Colts were a busy team on the opening day of the National Football League’s veteran free agent market, which got underway at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
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Jeff Saturday retires as a Colt
An Indianapolis Colt for life. Pencil in Jeff Saturday for that honor.
The 14-year veteran center in the NFL put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — when Saturday earned his greatest rewards. -
Saturday thrilled to retire as a Colt
The 14-year veteran center in the National Football League put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in-between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — that Saturday earned his greatest rewards.
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Saturday to retire as Colt on Thursday
Former Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday will make his retirement from the National Football League official on Thursday.
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Indianapolis franchises punter McAfee
A week ago, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano said it was a priority that the team retain the services of punter Pat McAfee.
McAfee, an unrestricted free agent who’s contract is due to expire March 12, was designated as the Colts’ franchise player Friday. The move allows Indianapolis extra time to work out a long-term deal for the team’s special-teams ace.
“He’s huge. He’s a major priority in free agency. Obviously, we’ve reached out and are working to get Pat re-signed,” Pagano said during the National Football Scouting Combine. “We saw what he did for us last year. He’s a great weapon, not only kickoffs and touchbacks. -
Colts GM enjoying time at combine
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson makes no bones about it. He enjoys watching prospective football players strut their stuff.
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Colts keeping eye on large crop of talented linemen in NFL Draft
According to most National Football League draft observers, this year’s crop of prospects is deep with quality offensive and defensive linemen.
Among the offensive line candidates who have been showcasing their talents at the National Football Scouting Combine, which began in earnest Thursday and wraps up on Tuesday, the spotlight has been on the offensive tackles. Offensive left tackles in particular. -
Colts' Pagano back to full work schedule at combine
Back and ready to go.
That’s the attitude Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano is taking during the National Football Scouting Combine, which completed its second day of operations Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. During a wide-ranging press conference at the combine, Pagano confirmed that he is back to a full work regimen after missing 12 games last fall as he battled a rare form of leukemia.
After undergoing cancer treatments that featured heavy doses of chemotherapy, the second-year head coach was able to return to the sidelines for Indianapolis’ final regular-season home game against Houston and for the team’s AFC wild-card matchup with eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore. -
Colts looking forward to different approach to draft in 2013
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts had the first overall pick in the 2012 National Football League draft.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Colts would select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the selection. While Indianapolis front office and player personnel officials certainly had to do their due diligence in preparing for the draft, the Colts find themselves this year in a bit different situation.
The team will have the 24th overall pick in the first round, which is a double-edged sword. Indianapolis picks lower in the round due to a successful season. But the pool of available can’t-miss talent isn’t quite as plentiful as drafting earlier in the round. -
Former Pro Bowl selection Freeney won't return to Colts
The news coming out of the Indianapolis Colts headquarters Friday afternoon was not totally unexpected. Team officials have confirmed that two veteran players – former Pro Bowl defensive end/outside linebacker Dwight Freeney and wide receiver Austin Collie — will not be returning for the 2013 season.
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Colts’ new offensive coordinator will offer variety
Quarterback Andrew Luck running the Pistol offense? Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton lining up in the Wildcat?
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Colts moving on to the off season
Moving on. That’s the immediate plans for the Indianapolis Colts as they head into the off season.
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Baltimore ends Indy’s playoff run early
The Baltimore Ravens want one long final ride for Ray Lewis. Having disposed of Andrew Luck and the Colts, they now face a more imposing challenge.
Next up, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. -
Switching sides: Colts-Ravens matchup includes old friends on new teams
Just as Baltimore Ravens players and coaches will be seeing some old friends returning to M&T Bank Stadium today, several Indianapolis Colts veterans will also have an opportunity to renew acquaintances with a familiar face.
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Pagano prepares Colts for tough crowd in Baltimore
As a former resident of Baltimore, Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano knows all about the hard feelings that still run strong about the move of the Colts franchise to Indianapolis in 1984.
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Pagano marvels at Colt’s progress
In the minutes after last Sunday’s win over AFC South champion Houston, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano marveled at how the 2012 season has progressed for his team.
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Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
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