Oct 6, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) drops back to pass during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Photo by Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
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Seahawks 28 – Colts 34
The Colts handed the Seattle Seahawks their first loss of the season Sunday in Indianapolis, getting the best Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, 34-28. Away from their home base at CenturyLink Field, known as the loudest stadium in the league, Seattle was without their “12th man.” Instead, they got the actual No.12 — Andrew Luck.
It did not look good for the Colts early. The Seahawks opened the game with 12 unanswered points and took a 19-17 lead into half time. But this Colts team, now known for its never-quit attitude, fought tooth and nail to stay in the game. Down by eight late in the third quarter, Andrew Luck led the Colts on three scoring drives, including one particular touchdown drive that culminated with a successful two-point conversion. The defense also did its part by not allowing a Seattle touchdown the entire second half. To add, they only allowed Seattle to convert on two of its 16 third-down attempts (16% third down efficiency).
Luck completed 16 of his 29 passes, throwing for 229 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were received by T.Y. Hilton. Hilton had a career day, earning 140 receiving yards on just five receptions. Luck and Hilton seemed to be a bit out of sync last week at Jacksonville, but such was not the case today. Reggie Wayne, not to be outdone, set a NFL record with his team-high six receptions. Wayne has had 3+ catches in an astounding 69 consecutive games.
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Robert Mathis reached his own milestone. With his two sacks, he eclipsed the 100-sack mark. He is just the 30th player in NFL history to record 100+ sacks.
The biggest surprise of the game may have come from the Colts’ special teams unit, a group that, aside from the golden legs of Adam Vinatieri and Pat McAfee, has underperformed in recent years. In the second quarter, Delano Howell blocked a field goal and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown. It was the first touchdown scored via a blocked field goal in the entire NFL this year.
Trent Richardson still has to prove himself. The former third over all pick has yet to perform up to expectations after the Colts gave the Cleveland Browns a 2014 first round pick in exchange for his services. In his third appearance in blue and white, Richardson rushed for an average 56 yards on 18 attempts and was outperformed by another back. Donald Brown averaged double the yards per carry that Richardson did and also had a touchdown. There’s one statistic, though, that cannot be denied. The Colts are 3-0 since acquiring Richardson, as are the Browns. Sounds like a win-win to me.
The Colts are now 4-1 and have stamped themselves as major contenders after having two statement wins over NFC powerhouses San Francisco and Seattle. Next week they’ll get a chance to show the world what they’re made of under the lights, for they will visit the San Diego Chargers for a primetime Monday Night Football showdown on October 14th.