When the Lions missed that fourth quarter extra point, everyone in the stadium had to expect that Luck would march the Colts down the field for a 35-34 lead, and that’s exactly what he did. That rating was the best in the National Football League in the fourth quarter Week 1.
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Next Sunday the Lions will host the Titans in their home opener. 1st defensive play of the 2016 season was one to forget as the defense gave up a 1st down to Golden Tate.
The Lions had 116 yards on the ground on only 24 rushes, most of that load was carried by running back Ameer Abdullah who had a big receiving touchdown late to put the Lions up 28-18. The hopes of forcing a 3-and-out and keeping Stafford and company off the field soon disappeared. Stafford finished the day going 31-39 on passing attempts for 340 yards and 3 TDS, a near ideal game for a QB. After starting at their own 6 yard line, the Colts drove it all the way back for the touchdown, tying the game at 28-28 with 8:19 left in the game.
At Arlington, Texas, Eli Manning threw for three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score to Victor Cruz in his first game in almost two years, and the New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys.
This was just the third time in 20 such games in the Pagano/Luck era the Colts lost despite an absence of turnovers. But Indianapolis upped the tempo offensively late in the half, which allowed the Colts’ 2012 first round pick to get into a rhythm. “We are more than capable”.
During the off-season and preseason, Indianapolis talked about wanting to have a semblance of a balanced offense instead of relying on Luck’s arm. “They do a great job at home and a great job away”. All six of his incompletions came when throwing in the direction of wide receiver Marvin Jones, meaning he didn’t miss when it came to the other seven players he threw the ball to. A 15-yard facemask penalty on Walden gave Detroit a 1st and 10 right outside of the Indianapolis 30. Although Riddick found the end zone twice, Abdullah has the better track record. Dwayne Allen caught four passes for 53 yards and one TD, while two of Doyle’s three catches went for TDs. Vinatieri’s extra point narrowed Detroit’s lead to 21-10 heading into the locker room at halftime. The Colts still had a chance to lead, but this time it would presumably be for good.
Luck was afforded more than adequate protection – “Those guys blocked their butts off, ” he said of his line – and was selective in his scrambling with 21 yards on three carries.
They were up 21-3 on Sunday as well, but the Colts rallied and took a 35-34 lead with 37 seconds to play.
The Detroit Lions have developed a reputation over the years of being able to get after the quarterback. Redemption time for Prater.
At East Rutherford, N.J., Mike Nugent kicked a 47-yard field goal with 54 seconds left, lifting the Bengals over the Jets.
What we do know is that quarterback Andrew Luck and tight end Coby Fleener were teammates at Stanford and then for four years with the Colts.
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Frank Gore rushed 14 times for 59 yards, but the Colts extended their streak of consecutive games without a 100-yard rusher to 51. The game was so high scoring that nearly any fantasy player in the game had a big day. Stafford passed for 340 yards and three touchdowns. Yesterday wasn’t the first day to ask that question, nor will it be the last, but waiting for the end of the season to conclude anything is both wise and humane.
