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Date: 10/1/2006
Indianapolis Colts At New York Jets
at The Meadowlands
Start Time: 1:02 PM EDT
Game Day Weather
Played Outdoor on Turf: FieldTurf
Temp: 62° F (16.8° C), Humidity: 80%, Wind: W 2 mph
Outdoor Weather: Cloudy
Officials
Referee: Gerry Austin (34)
Line Judge: Carl Johnson (101)
Field Judge: Scott Edwards (3) Umpire: Ruben Fowler (71)
Side Judge: Alberto Riveron (57)
Replay Official: James Wilson () Head Linesman: Jerry Bergman (91)
Back Judge: Robert (Bob) Lawing (17)
Video Operator: Eugene Cunningham ()
Right through the very
heart of it -
New York, New York . . .
Owned by The Indianapolis Colts!
The Colts are back in East
Rutherford, N.J. for the second time in 22 days. Their last
visit was against The New York GIANTS, defeating them 26 - 21 in the
so-called "Manning
Bowl" in its season opener, September 10, 2006.
Today The Colts defeated the other New York NFL team, The New York
JETS 31 -28.
Don't get me wrong, it didn't
appear to be easy. You see, I tend to use the colorful "F"
word in my daily usage - however through this game I must have used
it more today than I do in a month. It was a back and forth battle
between both teams with Pennington doing a little bit of some Peyton
Manning imitation; no huddles and he actually caught the Colts once
before they could even get set on a quick snap.
The Colts were looking
outstanding in the start of the first quarter. On Jets 3rd play of
the game Mathis sacked Pennington forcing a fumble as it was
recovered by Colts Defensive end, Josh Thomas at Jets 26 yard line
and four plays later The Colts rack up 7 points from a Dominic Rhodes
6 yard touchdown run. The rest of the first quarter Colts were
denying the Jets neither any yardage nor any points for that matter.
However the Colts also failed to get any more points on the board in
the first. Second quarter however is when the swearing began. The
Colts scored once when Peyton began a series with a 41-yard
completion to Wayne, converting two third down conversions before
Joseph Addai ran it in from two yards out. The Jets accomplished two
touchdowns. The second coming right off their following kickoff which
was recovered by Jets on an onside kick making it 14 - 14 tied ball
game at the end of the second quarter.
Third quarter was nothing but
a back and forth, scoreless frustration.
Fourth quarter. Oh my Lord!
On the edge of your seat, standing, jumping, nail biting, colts hat
flinging and the numerous counting's of the colorful "F"
word hell of a quarter which saw five fourth quarter lead changes!
I guess the Jets fans were a
bit agitated also as somebody threw a beer bottle out on to the field
when Jets cornerback, Justin Miller was flagged for defensive pass
interference on Reggie Wayne; moving the Colts up to the Jets 8 yard line.
Colts started the fourth
quarter with Gramatica kicking a 20 yard field goal making it Colts
17 Jets 14. subsequently Jets turn around on the next series of the
quarter with Kevan Barlow running it in for a touchdown; it's now a
score of Jets leading 21 and Colts 17. Next series of the 4th quarter
Colts turn around and put up another 7 points on the scoreboard as
Manning hits Bryan Fletcher in the endzone for the Colts to take the
lead; 24 to Jets 21. Then as Gramatica kicks it off (his best kick
all night, into the endzone), Jets kick return, Justin Miller
runs it back for 103 yards for a touchdown. I think my neighbors
might have heard the colorful words come out of my mouth. The Jets
are on top with 28 and Colts 24 with only 2 minutes and 20 seconds
left in the game! Peyton with no timeouts at his disposal then took
control of the next minute moving 60 yards down the field using 8
plays completing six of eight passes including a 15-yard strike to
Reggie Wayne to get The Colts down to the 1 yard line. On 1st and
Goal Peyton Manning takes the ball himself and runs through the
middle of the Jets defense for a touchdown and following it by
ardently spiking the ball.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
AP Photo/Jason DeCrow
Colts are ahead 31 to Jets 28
with only 50 seconds left in the game. Colts kickoff with a squib
kick by Gramatica as the ball skips by the whole Jets line and Jets
backup kick return, Leon Washington misses the ball and runs back to
recover it at the Colts 2 yard line where he was met by Matt Giordano
and Rob Morris for the tackle. With 98 yards to go in 50 seconds,
Jets begin their series with a reception by Dwight to the 11. Another
reception by Cotchery for 14 yards and 19 seconds left on the clock,
Jets take their last timeout. A long reception, spike the ball and
the Jets could pull off a field goal to tie the game and put it into overtime.
However, I guess the Jets
have more faith in their new Coach, Mangini (more on that in
the next paragraph), as Pennington hits Coles for a 7 yard
pass on the sidelines and steps out. Second down and three with 14
seconds left Pennington fires deep to Jerricho Cotchery as it was
deflected and fell incomplete. Eight seconds left in the game and
Jets are on their own 32 yard line. Too far for a field goal - Jets
have one last chance to make a big play and score. Jets snap the
ball, Pennington throws a short pass up the middle to Leon Washington
for 8 yards and then all hell breaks out as Washington laterals the
ball back to WR, Brad Smith to Jets 37 yard line for -3 yards who in
return laterals to WR, Laveranues Coles
to the Colts 44 yard line for
19 yards who then laterals it back to Quarterback, Pennington for 7
yards to Colts 37 yard line, whom if I am not mistaken threw a
forward pass to WR, Justin McCareins to the Colts 35 for 2 yards who
in turn fumbles the ball and is recovered by Jets WR, Brad Smith at
the Colts 33 who in turn himself fumbles the ball and again is
recovered by a Jets WR, Laveranues Coles at The Colts 40 who ran it
13 yards to the Colts 27 yard line who then laterals it to Center,
Nick Mangold who also fumbles the ball as Colts cornerback, Jason
David recovers the ball and ends this idiotic charade of
"Jets" desperation
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
- Game Over - Colts
win 31 - 28
Be it known it could have
been a game that would have gone into overtime had Jets Coach,
Mangini would have gone for a field goal rather than going for it on
fourth-and-goal from the 2 in the third quarter.
"You know at that
point it was a 16-play drive and that was the plan," said
Mangini. "We were going to drive the length of the field and
score touchdowns, not field goals. They're an explosive offense and
that was our goal and we were committed to that."
ON WITH THE SHOW
1st Quarter
Jets win the toss and elect
to receive as Colts elects to defend the East goal.
Colts
Colts kicker, Gramatica who
is feeling in for Adam Vinatieri kicks 55 yards to Jets 15 as Jets,
Chris Baker returns it for 11 yards before being tackled by Colts
Freddy Keiaho.
Jets start off their first
series by Quarterback, Pennington throwing incomplete on first down,
however Mathis was caught offside and 5 yards were enforced.
On Jets second down Kevan
Barlow ran for 8 yards making it first and ten.
On Jets next try, things
become a bit eleccolttrifying as Pennington is hit from behind by
Robert Mathis via a speed rush, Mathis got by Ferguson and recorded a
strip-sack of Chad Pennington
Rich Kane
as DE, Josh Thomas
recovered for the Colts at the Jets' 26 yard line.
Consequently, prior to this
play, Robert Mathis switched with Dwight Freeney and lined up over
the Jets left tackle rookie, Ferguson.
Jets turn the ball over in
less than one minute into the start of the game.
Colts ball . . .
1st and 10, Peyton with a no
huddle, throws left and connects a short pass to Ben Utecht for 9
yards. Again with a no huddle, Manning throws this time to the right
side of the field and connects with Dominic Rhodes for 6 yards. 1st
and 10 as Dominic takes the ball through the left of the Jets defense
for 5 more yards. Another no huddle and Dominic busts through the
right side of Jets defense and runs it in for 6 yards . . .
(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 01: Runningback Dominic
Rhodes #33 of the Indianapolis Colts gets past linebacker Jonathan
Vilma #51 of the New York Jets to run in six yards for a touchdown in
the first quarter of the game on October 1, 2006 at Giants Stadium in
East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Touchdown Colts!
7 - 0
Gramatica kicks it 70 yards
to the Jets goal line as Jets kick return, Justin Miller runs it out
to their 25 before he is hit by Ryan LaCasse.
With a no huddle on Jets
first down, Leon Washington TRIES to get through the right side of
the Colts defense. Linebacker Gilbert Gardner not only denied
Washington to penetrate the line yet actually tackled him a yard
behind the line of scrimmage.
2nd and 11, again a no huddle
and this time Kevan Barlow TRIES to go through the left side Colts
defense as Gary Brackett stops him on the line of scrimmage for NO GAIN!
3rd and 11, again with a no
huddle and shotgun, Pennington fires and connects with wide receiver,
Brad Smith for a MINUS 1 yard as Cato June lays him out.
4th and 12 and Jets are
forced to punt.
Colts ball . . .
Rhodes runs the ball though
the left side for a gain of 8 yards and then again to the left for
another 3 moving the chains for a first down. Unfortunately, Peyton
was then sacked for a whopping 12 yard loss. 2nd and 22 and again,
Dominic runs it through the left side for 7 yards. 3rd and 15 as
Peyton threw an incomplete pass to Reggie Wayne. Colts are forced to
punt as Hunter Smith puts it in the end zone for a touchback however
Justin Snow is penalized for offensive holding which brings the ball
out to Jets 30.
Jets Ball as they fail to
move a millimeter from the line of scrimmage as Barlow tried to go
right with no avail nor to the left on second down where he tried
before and again was taken down by Gary Brackett. Oh, I lied, Jets
did move from the line of scrimmage, backwards, when Montae Reagor
sacked Pennington for a loss of 5 yards and Jets are forced to punt.
Colts ball . . .
So the Colts seen what
Dominic can do now they decided to see what rookie running back,
Addai can do with this Jets defense. I was overwhelmed as Addai first
runs it to the right for 8 yards, then to the left for 7 more, then
back to the right for 2 and then again to the left for 4 more. It's
now 3rd and 4 as Ryan Diem is penalized for 5 yards on a false start.
Now 3rd and 9 and Peyton fails to connect with a short pass over the
middle to Addai and Colts are forced to punt as Hunter Smith puts it
on the Jets 4 yard line.
Jets ball . . .
3:12 left in the first
quarter as Barlow at last moves the ball; 2 yards. Second down and
Pennington at last gets a pass off with some yardage; 6 yards.
3rd and 2 and Jets 2006
fourth round pick, Brad Smith lines up under center and Pennington
lines up wide?
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Chad
Pennington #10 of the New York Jets lines up as receiver during the
second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts on October
1, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The ball is snapped and Smith
runs the ball 8 yards for a first down.
1st and 5 and Jets are called
for a false start making it 1st and 15 on the next play as Cedric
Houston gains a whopping 3 yards. 2nd and 12 and Pennington throws an
awful pass. 3rd and 12 and Leon breaks the Colts line for . . .
2 yards and Jets end the
first quarter being forced to punt.
2nd Quarter
Colts ball . . .
The Colts start on their own
35 yard line after a Jets 59 yard punt and Wilkins ran it back for 14 yards.
The Colts have distinguished
a running game as Addai on the first 2 plays runs the ball for 4 and
3 yards however Peyton has yet to get a passing game to unfold as he
throws incomplete on 3rd and 3.
Colts punt.
Jets ball as they apparently
find a groove when Pennington first hits Sean Ryan with a short pass
for 6 yards. Second play Houston runs for 3 and then another
connection from Pennington to Laveranues Coles for a good 16 yards,
too bad they had to bring it back due to Chris Baker being called for
illegal motion and it is brought back and no play on the field. Now
3rd and 6 and Pennington connects with Tim Dwight for a gain of 15
yards. 1st and 10 at Colts 46 yard line and Houston makes it through
a hole for a gain of 13 yards and then Pennington ended his route
with a 33 yard connection to Cotchery running it in for a touchdown.
Tied ball game
Colts 7
Jets 7
Jets then turn around and
kick an onside kick for 13 yards as it is recovered by Jets, Kerry
Rhodes at the Jets 43 yard line.
With that, the Jets ate
nearly 5 1/2 minutes of the clock with an 11-play march, utilizing
the shotgun and no-huddle offense. With a 4th-and-1 on the Colts 30,
Brad Smith came in and pitched right on a quarterback option for the
first down. Pennington's pass to Cotchery on 3rd- and-goal fell
incomplete, but Antoine Bethea's pass interference gave the Jets a
new set of downs. On the next play Barlow ran in from the 1 for the
Jets to take a 14 - 7 lead over the Colts.
This second quarter looks
like Jets have turned the game around to their favor -
Oh contraire. . .
As the Colts have the ball
back with 4:36 left in the half, and Manning begins the Colts drive
with a stunning 41 yard completion to Reggie Wayne to the Jets 44.
Rhodes then runs left
and gains 9 to the Jets' 35. Next play, Rhodes picks up 2 yards for
the first down. Rhodes picks up 2 more after incompletion to
Harrison. On 3rd and 8 Peyton hits Marvin Harrison for 12 yards to
get the first down and go into the 2 minute warning.
Next play Addai breaks left
for 2 yards then Peyton hits Wayne for a short 4 yarder. Peyton then
hits Addai for another short 4 yards just short of the first down and
then Harrison for 7 yards putting The Colts on the Jets 2 yard line.
On 2nd and 2 The Jets were not completely set, and Manning took
advantage with a quick handoff. Addai went up the middle for the
score run to tie the game, 14-14,
with 16 seconds on the clock before halftime.
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 01: Running back
Joseph Addai #29 of the Indianapolis Colts gets through for a
touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the New York Jets
on October 1, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Gramatica kicksoff a 64
yarder and with 16 seconds to play before the half, Jets snap the
ball as Mathis sacks Pennington for a loss of 3 yards and we go into
half time.
HALFTIME
3rd Quarter
Colts start off the first
half ending up having to punt with no help of a minus 13 yard sack on
Peyton. To highlight the drive, wide receiver Marvin Harrison moved
past Andre Reed and into fourth place on the NFL's career receptions
list Sunday with his 952nd catch.
He passed Reed with a 14-yard
reception, his third catch of the game, 37 seconds into the third
quarter against the New York Jets.
It's the second time in three
weeks Harrison has moved up on the career receptions chart. He passed
Art Monk for fifth against Houston on Sept. 17.
A little over 13 minutes left
in the 3rd quarter and the Jets run 17 plays for 77 yards eating up
over 9 minutes to wind up on the Colts 2 yard line on 4th down and
goal. On the previous play, Jets running back Cedric Houston was
injured when he ran the ball up the middle on third-and-goal from the
Colts 2 with 5:18 left in the third quarter and was tackled by Dwight
Freeney for no gain. The second-year back got up after a few minutes,
but was assisted to the sideline by two trainers and didn't put any
weight on his left leg before he was carted into the locker room.
(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 01: Running back
Cedric Houston #34 of the New York Jets is taken off the field after
injuring his leg in the third quarter of the game against the
Indianapolis Colts on October 1, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East
Rutherford, New Jersey.
On fourth and Goal the Jets
decided to go for it rather than try a field goal, as
Pennington, on a play-fake, is pressured right away and
THROWS AN INTERCEPTION
caught by Rocky Boiman in the
back of the right corner of the end zone.
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Rocky Boiman (50)
celebrates after intercepting a pass in the end zone against the New
York Jets during third quarter NFL football Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006, at
Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Colts beat the Jets, 31-28.
4th Quarter
The Colts ran into the fourth
quarter, using over 6 1/2 minutes on 15 plays, concluding with a
20-yard field goal by Gramatica for a 17-14
advantage. Indianapolis continued to pound the ball, running the ball
10 times for 53 yards.
With just under 13 minutes to
play, New York got the ball back and continued to slice apart the
Colts defense. Washington did the most damage on the drive, rushing
for 29 yards on the 11-play, 62-yard possession. On 3rd-and-2 at the
Indianapolis 10, Coles couldn't come up with the catch in the end
zone, but for the second time in the game the Colts were hit with a
defensive penalty on third down inside the red zone. Barlow then
recorded his second touchdown with a five-yard run for 21-17
score with 7:55 remaining.
On the ensuing possession
Indianapolis went 68 yards in almost 5 1/2 minutes to regain the
lead. Starting at their own 32, the Colts used the no-huddle and
fought their way downfield. Indianapolis took advantage of a pass
interference call on Miller on 2nd-and-20 with 3:34 to play, and
three plays later Manning found Bryan Fletcher for a two-yard
touchdown reception and a 24-21 edge.
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 01: Tight end Brian
Fletcher #81 of the Indianapolis Colts smiles after his touchdown
during the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Jets on
October 1, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The
Colts won the game 31-28.
Colts kickoff as Gramatica
kicks it 73 yards to Jets -3 as Justin Miller returns it 103 yards,
breaking two tackles, to give the Jets a 28-24
lead with 2:20 remaining. The return was the longest in Jets history
passing Leon Johnson, who ran back a kickoff 101 yards on December
14, 1997 versus Tampa Bay.
Manning then used a
nine-play, 61-yard drive to push the Colts ahead for good. The
possession was kept alive with a third down completion to Marvin
Harrison, and, two plays later, Manning hit Reggie Wayne at the Jets
1. Running the no-huddle offense, Manning then took the ball and
pushed himself into the end zone.
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback
Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts scores a touchdown in
the final minutes of the game against New York Jets on October 1,
2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Colts won
the game 31-28.
With 8 seconds left, the Jets
got off one last, desperate circus play, a never-ending lateral-fest
that almost worked. Chad Pennington threw a short pass to Leon
Washington, who ran for an 8-yard gain and lateraled the ball to Brad Smith.
That was just the beginning .
. .
A series of four laterals
including one back to Pennington, who then threw a crosswise pass to
Justin McCareins to keep the chaos rolling and two fumbles recovered
by the Jets followed, with center Nick Mangold finally losing the
ball at the Colts 35 and Jason Davis recovering for Indianapolis to
end the game.
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER
01:
Quarterback Chad
Pennington #10 of the New York Jets walks off the field after his
team was defeated by the Indianapolis Colts 31-28 in the game on
October 1, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. |
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