Indianapolis Colts hammer out a victory over the Washington Redskins Part Two
In the first half of the match between the Indianapolis Colts and the Washington Redskins, the Colts were clearly incharge. In 30 minutes of play they had created a 10 points spread between themselves and the Skins, scored a touchdown resulting from an interception
and did not allow the Skins to score at all in the second quarter.
The Colts made their comeback after the second quarter and kept up the pressure on the Colts in the fourth but that poor second quarter performance would ultimately prove to be the deciding factor in the game.
Washington opened the 3rd quarter with a drive that began in the last seconds of the 2nd quarter but couldn’t make headway. Success came for Washington when the Colts’ offense came on the field. The Redskins had been continuously trying
to take on Manning and produce turnovers, now would be the time they finally did that. Linebacker Brian Orapko sacked the quarterback and forced a fumble. The loose ball was recovered by Washington’s Andre Carter on Indianapolis’ 13 yard line.
Washington’s quarterback Donovan McNabb had an opportunity now to score the second touchdown for Washington and from inside the red zone. McNabb moved up 8 and four yards to get within a yard of the touchdown. Ryan Torain rushed the final yard for touchdown
to bring Washington up to 14 points, the extra point was good.
The Colts wouldn’t just look on as the Skins encroached on their lead. After the touchdown the Colts returned Graham Gano’s 63 yards kick for 27 yards. After Kenny Moore’s impressive return, Joseph Addai kicked it further up a notch. In the first play of
the drive Addai, from the 34 yard line, rushed 46 yards. The Colts were already at the red zone and they wouldn’t be stopped short now. Manning passed 3 yards and Addai rushed another 4 to get to the 13 yard line.
With 13 yards to go Addai made his move on the end zone. He rushed straight up the middle avoiding Washington’s defence. Washington’s free safety, Doughty Reed, tried to get to Addai first but he was too slow for the Colt. Safeties LaRon Landry and Kareem
Moore almost stopped Addai just short of the end zone. The two though couldn’t hold him behind the line as Addai received a powerful shove from the towering Indianapolis tackle, Ryan Diem and was pushed into the endzone for touchdown. The extra point attempt
was good.
Traditionally the Colts’ running game is on the back burner but the Redskins’ plethora of defensive backs to counter Manning forced the Colts to use the rush more often and allowed Addai the space he needed to make his big plays.
Washington returned to the offensive on the 14 yard line after returning a 75 yard kick from Pat McAfee for 19 yards. From the 28 yard line onwards Colts’ defence restricted the Redskins, forcing a punt. Kenny Moore carried the ball 16 yards for the Colts
before being tackled and fumbling the ball. Byron Westbrook recovered the ball for the Redskins on Indianapolis’ 39 yard line.
Having caught a break and covered significant ground, Washington’s offense was rejuvenated. From the Indianapolis 39 yards line Torain Rushed 25 and then 6 yards before losing two to get to the 10 yard line. McNabb’s exuberance got to him and the quarterback
was sacked for 11 yards. Being pushed back the Skins had to go for the field goal instead. The attempt was successful.
The Colts would score the next field goal in the 4th quarter. In the 4th minute Manning began to drive the Colts from the 36 yard line and took them successfully to Washington’s 24 yard line in just 4 plays. Near the end Washington
increased the pressure again and stopped the yards from coming. Mike Hart rushed 9 more yards but the Colts still weren’t sure they could make it for touchdown. Adam Vinatieri came up and made the field goal attempt for the Colts which was good and bumped
the Colts up to 27 points. Indianapolis won’t score again in the game.
Just under 9 minutes remained and Washington was lagging by 10 points. McNabb took most of that time to drive from the 8 yard line to the Colts’ end zone. In 9 plays McNabb got to the 19 yard line. Keiland Williams rushed 14 yards. From the 5 yard line McNabb
Scrambled past the defence into the endzone but an offensive holding penalty nullified the score and pushed back the Colts by 10 yards.
From the 15, McNabb passed 7 yards and then threw an 8 yards touchdown pass to Williams. With the extra point, Washington cut the lead down to just 3 points but time was also running out.
In the remaining two minutes the ball changed hands 4 times but neither team was able to score any point. The Indianapolis Colts won 27 against 24.
Tags: