Re: patriots v colts

from http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=28846&pcid=41

11/4/07

Pats-Colts post-game analysis: Pats made big plays

By Erik Scalavino, Patriots.com & PFW Staff Write

How did the Patriots pull out a victory when all hope seemed lost in Indy Sunday? It came down to three huge plays in the final 10 minutes. 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – At first glance, it seems like the New England Patriots had no business winning this game.

They committed 10 penalties for 146 yards. QB Tom Bradythrew a pair of interceptions (doubling his total for the season heretofore), both of which resulted in Indianapolis Colts touchdowns. And the Patriots were trailing for nearly the entire game.

But, as head coach Bill Belichick and many of his players noted after New England's thrilling 24-20 victory Sunday evening, football games are 60 minutes long.

"I'm really proud of the way the guys played," Belichick began his post-game press conference. " We played 60 minutes, which you have to do against the Colts. They're tough. They make you work for everything. But I thought our guys stepped up, made some big plays, especially in the second half, in the fourth quarter, when we needed to. All the credit has to go to the players."

"We put our hard hats on today," DL Richard Seymour said in the Pats' jubilant post-game locker room. "We didn't worry about the score. We just said, at halftime, 'We're gonna go out and try to out-work them.'"

Trailing 20-10 win just under 10 minutes left to play, the Patriots did just that, making the plays they had to make, both on offense and defense.
 

The first big play

After catching a touchdown to start the second quarter, WR Randy Moss was blanketed with double coverage for most of the time thereafter. But after Colts QB Peyton Manning snuck into the end zone to boost his team's lead to 10 points, Brady threw to Moss on six consecutive plays, including the 55-yard bomb that set New England up with a first-and-goal from the Indy three.

Three plays later, WR Wes Welker caught a bullet of a Brady pass and tap-danced inside the pylon to cut the deficit to three.

The second big play

When the Colts got the ball back on the ensuing drive, they committed two costly penalties that put them in a 3rd-and-15 situation. Dropping back to pass, Manning was engulfed by Patriots defenders. LB Rosevelt Colvin's hit forced a fumble, and though the Colts recovered, they were forced to punt.

Once again, three plays later, Brady found RB Kevin Faulk alone over the middle from 13 yards out, and Faulk did the rest, knifing his way between Indy defenders to find the goal line. The Pats now led 24-20, but there were still three minutes left for Manning to lead his team back. 

The third big play

The Colts got the ball back at their own 24-yard line, and in three plays were at midfield. But they were still there facing a third-and-nine.

When Manning dropped back to pass, he was again swarmed by Patriots defenders. This time, DL Jarvis Green knocked the ball loose and Colvin recovered it.

Colvin then took the ball to midfield and spiked it on the Colts helmet that's painted on the 50-yard line.

"I was excited man," explained Colvin, an Indy native, who drew the Pats' final penalty (a delay-of-game) with that jubilant move.

The Pats picked up a first down in three plays, then knelt on the ball for three more to run out the clock.

"When our offense scored," Seymour observed, "we knew we couldn't let [the Colts] get the ball, drive down the field, and run out the clock. We just wanted to give our offense the opportunity."

"It was good to stop them and make the plays that we needed to make to help the offense," CB Asante Samuel told reporters.

"We just fought for 60 minutes. That's what it's all about."

Despite trailing for most of the contest, something the Patriots haven't been accustomed to this season, New England never lost its focus. The players appeared confident that they'd come through when they absolutely needed to.

"We felt that way the whole game," Seymour. "It was just a matter of us making the plays. We didn't know when the plays were going to be made. We just knew somebody was going to step up to make the plays."

For the first eight weeks of this season, it's been easy for the Patriots. Sunday in Indianapolis was exactly what they needed: a difficult challenge to prove to themselves that they can win more than just the blowouts. Satisfying as it was, Colvin reminded reporters that the game was still just another game, with many more to come.

"Our goal was not to win nine games," he said. "There are a lot of 9-7 teams that don't make the playoffs each year."

But this one couldn't have come at a better time. Having faced their toughest opponent so far, their next one will be their easiest – the bye week.

"We got a whole week and a half to enjoy this one," Colvin continued. "Hopefully, we'll come back ready to roll."