Skip to main content

Quick Take: Vinatieri lifts Colts over Chargers

It was over when ...
Adam Vinatieri kicked a 51-yard field goal as time expired, which capped an eight-play, 37-yard drive that took up the final 1:30 off the clock.

Game ball
The Chargers tied the game, 20-20, on Nate Kaeding's 47-yard field goal with 1:35 left, but that was too much time for Peyton Manning. The Colts quarterback went 4-of-6 for 37 yards to set up Vinatieri's winning kick. Manning finished with 255 passing yards and two touchdowns. This was Manning's 35th career winning drive in the fourth quarter, and fifth this season.

Key stat
The Colts converted both of their fourth-down attempts. Manning hit Dominic Rhodes on a 1-yard touchdown pass. He also connected with Marvin Harrison on fourth-and-1 for 13-yards to put Vinatieri in position to make the winning kick.

Noteworthy
The Colts snapped a three-game losing skid to the Chargers. ... The Colts have won seven consecutive games in November. ... This was Vinatieri's 22nd career winning field goal in final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime including the playoffs. (Sunday's 51-yard field goal was his longest winning field goal in that situation.)