Manning nearly perfect as Colts beat Jaguars 31-24.

huevonkiller · Dec 18, 2008

Manning nearly perfect as Colts beat Jaguars 31-24

By MARK LONG, AP Sports Writer 50 minutes ago

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP)—Peyton Manning was nearly perfect, exactly what the Indianapolis Colts needed to overcome all the emotion the Jacksonville Jaguars got from Richard Collier’s return.

Manning completed his first 17 passes, picked apart Jacksonville’s secondary and led the Colts to their eighth consecutive win and seventh straight playoff berth.

Manning finished 29-for-34 and threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns, and the Colts secured the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs with a 31-24 victory over the Jaguars on Thursday night.

Indianapolis (11-4) took its first lead of the game when Keiwan Ratliff intercepted a pass from David Garrard and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown and a 31-24 lead with 4:48 remaining.

The Jaguars had two chances to tie it, but both drives ended with sacks. Garrard drove Jacksonville to the 7-yard line with 29 seconds remaining, but Maurice Jones-Drew sprained his knee on a reception, and since the Jaguars had no timeouts, there was a 10-second runoff.

Garrard misfired on first down, then got sacked by Dwight Freeney to end the game.

The Colts overcame a 14-0 deficit in the second quarter and a 24-14 hole early in the fourth. They won without receiver Marvin Harrison (hamstring), running back Joseph Addai (shoulder) and linebacker Gary Brackett (leg).

Coach Tony Dungy said earlier in the week that a victory would allow him to rest many starters next week against Tennessee. So Indy could get as many as 17 days of rest before opening the postseason.

The Jaguars (5-10) lost for the seventh time in the past nine games and fell to 2-6 at home this season. This one may have been more emotionally draining than any of the others.

Collier, a 6-foot-7 offensive linemen paralyzed from the waist down following a shooting in early September, returned to the field for the first time and was recognized during pregame ceremonies. He drove onto the field, sat next to his teammates during the national anthem and then headed to midfield as an honorary team captain for the coin toss.

He answered a few questions afterward, then went to a luxury suite with family members to watch the game. He must have liked Jacksonville’s fast start. The Jaguars scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and led 14-0 early in the second quarter—possibly feeding off Collier’s emotional return.

“It’s a bittersweet moment,” Collier said. “I’m here now, but I’m not a player anymore. But it’s also great with all the love that’s been shown from everybody. … It was like I’m back at home. Everybody showed me love. It was good.”

Collier’s left leg was amputated below the knee after he sustained 14 gunshot wounds just days before the season opener. He returned to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for the first time since the shooting Wednesday and spent time around teammates and in the locker room.

His appearance Thursday night was even more emotional.

“It was incredible,” said Collier, who left the field amid chants of his name and a standing ovation. “It was real amazing. The crowd was going. I got chills. I’ve still got chills. It’s amazing, it really is.”

So was Manning’s performance.
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Raheem Brock flexes following a fourth-quarter sack of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard during an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Indianapolis Colts defensive t…
AP - Dec 18, 11:27 pm EST

He hurt the Jaguars on nearly every drive, spreading the ball around and throwing pinpoint passes all over the field.

Dallas Clark finished with eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Reggie Wayne had seven receptions for 108 yards and a score. Dominic Rhodes, held to 27 yards rushing, was much more dangerous out of the backfield. He caught six passes for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Manning completed his final six passes last week against Detroit and his first 17 against Jacksonville, giving him 23 in a row—the second-longest streak in NFL history. Donovan McNabb set the record of 24 straight in 2004.

Garrard wasn’t nearly as accurate, especially in the second half.

He finished 28-of-41 for 329 yards and a score. He added a rushing touchdown. Jones-Drew ran 20 times for 91 yards and caught seven passes for 71 yards.

Dennis Northcutt, starting for the second straight week in place of Jerry Porter (groin) and Matt Jones (suspension), has another strong game. He caught eight passes for 101 yards and a touchdown—his second consecutive 100-yard game after going nearly four years without one.

It wasn’t enough, especially against Manning and the Colts.

“Peyton Manning is a good quarterback,” Jaguars safety Reggie Nelson said. “He has always been good. That’s what he does.”

Notes

Vinatieri missed a 30-yard field goal in the first half. … Jaguars LB Mike Peterson, who probably played his last game in Jacksonville, kissed the field during pregame introductions. … Tight ends for both teams combined to catch 22 passes for 270 yards and one score.
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Source: Associated Press

And Marvin missed the game too, incredible. Rhodes averaged 27 rushing yards on a 1.9 average but we still get it done.

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Manning nearly perfect as Colts beat Jaguars 31-24.

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Manning nearly perfect as Colts beat Jaguars 31-24.

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