"We're not going to win many games that way, giving up big plays on defense, special teams, turn the ball over five times, third-down penalties," said coach Bill Belichick. "They did a better job, it's as simple as that."
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning finished 20 of 36 for 326 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Receivers Marvin Harrison (8 catches, 145 yards) and Reggie Wayne (6 catches, 90 yards) were the primary targets. On the flip side, Brady was 20 of 35 for 201 yards, no touchdowns, and the four picks. His passer rating was 34.
It was a night that had a little bit of everything.
Former Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri heard boos, then cheers after he missed two field goals. Troy Brown became the Patriots' all-time leading receiver. Safety Rodney Harrison left in the first quarter with an arm injury and didn't return.
By the end of the game, the Colts had established themselves as the class of the AFC, improving to 8-0 and taking the inside track for home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Patriots, who never held a lead, fell to 6-2. On a night in which they were uncharacteristically sloppy, the Patriots still had a chance to tie late in the fourth quarter, but their final drive ended with an interception on a tipped ball.
The tone for the night was set on both teams' opening drives. Brady was intercepted on the Patriots' first march, which had initially shown promise, then the Colts appeared headed for a three-and-out, facing a third-and-15 situation from their 27. But Manning, while being flushed out of the pocket to his left, connected with Marvin Harrison over the middle for a 44-yard gain. Rodney Harrison injured his arm on the play, a hookup that also seemed to energize the Colts' attack.
"That was a huge play," said linebacker Tedy Bruschi. "We had it going a little bit, then he hit that scramble on us. That was a big play on their part; that really started the night for them."
Five plays later, Manning connected with Harrison on a 5-yard touchdown pass, giving the Colts a 7-0 lead with 4:30 left in the first quarter.
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