Indianapolis Colts qualify for playoffs after beating Kansas City Chiefs 20-13 – NFL Week 16 Recap
After a disastrous 2011 season, Indianapolis Colts have clinched a playoff spot this time after a 20-13 victory over Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16 on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO.
This spectacular turnaround has come thanks to their number one overall pick of this year’s draft, quarterback Andrew Luck.
Luck has surpassed all the expectations, as the quarterback broke the league record for covering most passing yards by a rookie in a regular season.
The quarterback has gone past quarterback Cam Newton’s record of 4,051 passing yards covered last season.
Moreover, Luck also improved his own record for most comebacks in the final quarter for regular season games with seven.
Luck finished the game with 17 of 35 for 205 yards and scored the winning touchdown. He threw the touchdown pass in the final quarter after having a miserable 1 out of 13 pass completion before that play.
Colts (10-5) have become the only team since the 2008 Miami Dolphins to get 10 or more victory in a season after recording 14 or more defeats in the previous season.
Most of the Colts victories have come under interim coach Bruce Arians who has lead the team in the absence of head coach Chuck Pagano. According to the Associated Press, Arians said:
"Mission accomplished. That's all I can say. Without getting emotional again, knowing that (Pagano) is going to be back Monday, the work week shouldn't be as stressful. At times it looked a little bleak. Guys hung in there, made plays when they had
to make them. Offensively we struggled, and then put together a drive, like we have all year."
Chiefs gave Colts a good fight during the game. The running game gave a record-breaking performance.
Chiefs covered 352 rushing yards, the highest in the history of the National Football league (NFL).
Running back Jamaal Charles had 226 yards on 22 carries which included an 86-yard run to the end zone. The player tied the franchise record for three 200-plus yards performance in his career. Talking after the game, Charles said:
"It was fun today, competing out there and doing it while we were trying to come back. It was fun going out there and putting out a performance like that."
Colts got to a great start as cornerback Darius Butler returned an interception for 32 yards to score a touchdown.
Chiefs then opened their scoring sheet with a 47-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Succop to finish the first quarter 3-7.
Colts then further strengthened their lead with two field goals from kicker Adam Vinatieri to end the first half at 13-3.
Chiefs got back in to the game with a rushing touchdown by Charles followed by a field goal to tie the game 13-13 at the end of third quarter.
Colts got the victory after a 7-yard touchdown pass from Luck as the game ended 20-13.
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