Colts Fall to Panthers, 29-26, in Overtime
By Evan Reller
The Indianapolis Colts needed 17 points over the final 10 minutes of play to take the undefeated Carolina Panthers to overtime. The Colts managed to take the the lead off a 50-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri, but a third Andrew Luck interception gave the Panthers great field position to win the game. Graham Gano hit a 52-yrd field goal for the 29-26 victory.
For the first three quarters, Andrew Luck looked terrible. The driving rain prevented either team from passing the ball but Luck’s issues all season long were on full display. Over the first three quarters, Luck was 5-for-16 for 40 yards and two interceptions. His final box score was 23-for-47 for 231 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Luck and the offense shredded the Panthers in the fourth quarter but couldn’t manage to find a way to win in overtime. His final pass of the game was over the middle towards Coby Fleener, but bounced off the defenders helmet and into the waiting arms of Luke Kuechly. That set up the Panthers inside the Colts 40-yard line, and it didn’t take much for the Panthers to get a few extra yards for Gano.
The Colts defense played very well considering they were forced to defend short fields for the majority of the evening. In fact, five of the Panthers six scoring drives started inside the Colts 40-yard line. The Panthers changed up their pace of play in overtime, passing the ball heavily and putting the Colts defensive flaws on display to tie up the game with their lone long scoring drive of the night.
The Colts have plenty of issues on the field, but it is no surprise that the moment Luck started to play well again the team showed signs of life. Both team’s were turnover prone tonight, with the Colts giving up the ball four times to the Panthers three.
Robert Mathis‘ return to the field has made an impact as the veteran pass rusher finished with two sacks. Linebackers D’Qwell Jackson and Jerrell Freeman were tackling machines finishing with 13 and 12 tackles, respectively.
Up next, the Colts will host the undefeated Denver Broncos (who are fresh off thrashing the formerly undefeated Green Bay Packers) Sunday afternoon.