The Indianapolis Colts clinched an AFC wild-card playoff berth with a 20-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Andrew Luck, who took the Colts to the playoffs and broke Cam Newton's single-season passing record for a first-year player, threw for 205 yards against the Chiefs.
In the fourth quarter, Luck threw a touchdown to Reggie Wayne down the middle for a seven-yard score, which turned out to be the game-winner.
"Would we have done it without him?" the Associated Press quoted Colts interim coach Bruce Arians as saying. "No."
Luck also broke Newton's record of 4051 total passing yards in a season for a rookie, by finishing with a total of 4183 yards after the win over the Chiefs. Luck can improve his record further as he will play one more game this regular season.
"I'm very proud to be a part of this team, to be associated with a playoff team. What a great win for us," Luck said. "We've been in that situation before when we've been down or tied.
"It was a great all-around effort on that last drive."
The Colts took a 7-0 lead with 10.08 left in the first quarter, when Darius Butler intercepted Brady Quinn for 32 yards.
Kansas City's Ryan Succop had a 47-yard field goal with 8.18 left in the first quarter to cut the Colts lead to 7-3.
With the help of Vinatieri's two field goals in the second quarter, the Colts extended their lead to 13-3.
The Chiefs dominated the third quarter scoring 10 unanswered points and it seemed they would take control. Jamaal Charles had an 86-yard rush and Succop made a PAT to bring score to 13-10, before a field goal made it 13-13.
Luck, however, came up trumps, with the quarterback making the crucial play that decided the outcome of the game.
"We had so many opportunities all game, especially on third down, that we squandered," Wayne said. "We wanted to get that done. That was the opportune time to do it."
"Mission accomplished. That's all I can say," Arians added. "Without getting emotional again, knowing that (Chuck Pagano) is going to be back Monday, the work week shouldn't be as stressful."
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
