NFL Update: Indianapolis Colts take a serious beating by the San Francisco 49ers – Part 1
First Half
It started off well enough for the Colts but they couldn’t have had an idea that the game would take a turn for the worst for them. The Indianapolis Colts lost 37-17 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
The 49ers were dealt a blow right after kickoff, as they fumbled and lost possession of the ball at the 18 yard line. They were put in a difficult situation but the San Francisco defence fought off the Colts advances dexterously. In 7 plays, the Colts were kept behind the 3 yard line. It looked unlikely that the Colts could drive on for touchdown, so Vinatieri took a 21 yard field kick, which was good putting the first points on the board for the Colts. The Colts led 3 nothing just minutes into the game.
The Colts regained possession from the 49ers at the 11 yard line. They took the passing game up a notch with Peyton Manning leading the Colts charge up to the end-zone with 20, 9, 18 and 16 yard passes to the 24 yard line. Three plays later the Colts were at the 7 yard line and all set to make a push for touchdown. The 49ers defence which conceded 15 yards in 7 plays this had given more than 80 yards in 8 plays this time.
At the 7 yard line, Joseph Addai makes an outstanding run breaking through the 49ers’ defence. Veering to the left Addai is jumped by Linebacker Keaton Kristick. Addai evades Kristick and continues on to the end-zone with Diyral Briggs and Ray McDonald converging on him from the right. McDonalds gets a hold of Addai and Briggs brings him down but not before, he makes it to the end-zone for touchdown. Vinatieri takes the extra point and is good. The Colts lead 10-0 with six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
San Francisco takes possession on the 7 yard line and take the play to the 48 yard line but can’t take it any further. Indianapolis regains and loses possession behind the 20 yard line and punts it to the 44 yard line. The 49ers quarterback Alex Smith attempts two incompletes passes to tight end Vernon Davis and running back Michael Robinson. In his third failed attempt, Smith throws a pass at Delaine Walker. However, the Colts have free safety Antoine Bethea stalking Delaine. The pass goes awry and corner back Jerraud Powers takes possession and makes a dash towards the San Francisco end-zone.
The 5’10 Powers takes 53 yards before he is pushed out of bounds. Michael Robinson first tries to take down Powers but can’t catch him. Offensive tackle Joe Staley and 315 lb Chilo Rachal make their moves on Powers but Powers is too fast for either men to get a hold of. 53 yards later, it is wide receiver Dominique Zeigler who cuts off Powers and forces him out of bounds. The first quarter ends with the 49ers trailing 10 points behinds the colts.
Within minutes into the second quarter, things start to go the 49ers way. Quarterback Curtis Painter at the San Francisco 14 yard lines makes a mess of things, as he tries to complete a pass to wide receiver Sam Giguère. Giguère can’t hold on as he is rushed by the cornerback Karl Paymah. Free Safety Reggie Smith makes the interception and out runs every one of the Colts for an amazing 91 yard touchdown. Shane Andrus takes the extra point and it’s good. The 49ers put their first 7 points on the board. From there on the 49ers took control and never looked back.
5 minutes into the second quarter, the 49ers take back possession. Leading the 49ers is David Carr who makes a dogged drive for the end-zone, where Michael Robinson powers through the middle for a 3 yard touchdown. The field goal is good and the 49ers now lead.
In the Final minute of the game, the 49ers score twice. With fifty seconds to go Shane Andrus makes a good 37 yard field goal. The Colts start from the 20 yard line. They gain 12 yards and lose 7 before calling their 3rd timeout. Painter again continues for the Colts and throws a pass at running back Mike Hart, which is intercepted by cornerback Will James on the 25 yard line.
In the Final twenty seconds of the 2nd quarter, the 49ers make another play for the end-zone with David Carr at the helm again. Carr drives up to the Indianapolis 19 yard line, where Shane Andrus scores a field goal for the 49ers, just seconds before the end of the 2nd quarter. The first half of the game finishes San Francisco 20, Indianapolis 10.
Tags: