Colts overcome Harrison injury to turn back Broncos
01.10.2007 00:00
Sport and Travel
- Source: USA Today
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts took Denver's best shot Sunday, and the Broncos couldn't knock out the defending champions.
Indianapolis (4-0) relied on flawless execution and some surprise reinforcements after a rash of injuries to score on six of its last eight possessions and pull away with a 38-20 victory. BOX SCORE: Colts 38, Broncos 20 The Colts have now won five of seven in the series since Tony Dungy took over as coach and extended their league-best winning streak to nine when last year's playoff games are included. Denver (2-2) lost for the second straight week despite trying to overpower the Colts with its usually efficient ground game. Travis Henry carried 26 times for 131 yards and the Broncos ran for 160 yards in the first half, the best in the league this season. The result: Denver needed less than 13 minutes to take a 10-0 lead that looked even more imposing when Indy receiver Marvin Harrison left in the second quarter with a bruised left knee. As usual, Peyton Manning had an answer. He methodically led the Colts back, completing 20-of-27 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns as the Colts managed to take a 14-13 lead at the half. Manning seized control in the second half using a rare quarterback sneak to make it 21-13 and then taking advantage of Marlin Jackson's interception by converting it into a 3-yard TD pass to Dallas Clark for a 28-13 lead. Jay Cutler countered with his own 2-yard TD run to make it 28-20, but the Colts didn't stop there. Manning threw his third TD pass, a 5-yarder to Reggie Wayne with 10:56 left, to seal the outcome. The physical game also led to a series of potentially damaging injuries. Harrison never returned after leaving in the second quarter, and Colts linebacker Rob Morris was carted off the field after spraining his left knee late in the half. Former Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders did not finish the game after hurting his ribs, and Joseph Addai remained on the sidelines for much the fourth quarter after hurting his shoulder. Addai ran 19 times for 136 yards and one touchdown. Henry also left the game briefly with a sprained right ankle.
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