Colts outshoot Jaguars to remain unbeaten, 35-31
Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Peyton Manning completed every pass early and one big one late, exactly what the Indianapolis Colts needed to stay unbeaten.
Manning threw for 308 yards and four touchdowns, including a 65-yarder to Reggie Wayne to go ahead for good, and the Colts beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 35-31, last night to improve to 14-0 for the first time in franchise history.
The wild game on a cool night included 714 yards, 43 first downs, 10 lead changes, six punts, several big plays and just two turnovers.
"This was an old-time shootout at the OK Corral," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said.
Jacksonville had a chance to win it in the closing minutes, but David Garrard overthrew Mike Thomas on a third-and-10 play with about a minute to play. Jacob Lacey intercepted the ball, and the Colts ran out the clock.
Indianapolis extended its NFL-record winning streak in the regular season to 23 and became the third 14-0 team in league history, joining the 1972 Miami Dolphins and 2007 New England Patriots. New Orleans can join the list with a victory over the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow night.
"This is who we are," Wayne said. "We're built for 60 minutes. It won't be pretty all the time, but we're getting it done."
The Jaguars (7-7) have lost three of four games and no longer control their fate in the AFC wild-card race.