The Colts dispatched the Kansas City Chiefs on the road to advance to the AFC title game and a chance to play in the Super Bowl. Again, the offense carried the load, with strong performances from Manning, Harrison and James.
The Colts haven't played in the AFC title game since the 1995 postseason. They haven't won it since 1970, when last they were World champions. It's down to the NFL's big-time now. Its down to the final four."It's right there," said Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney. "We've just got to win the next game. It's there, and I don't even want to look there 'til it's time."
The Chiefs (13-4) and Colts ranked 1-2 in scoring this season. Manning (4,267) and Kansas City quarterback Trent Green (4,039) were the only quarterbacks who threw for 4,000 yards this season.
It turned out to be exactly the kind of game that would suggest. Neither team punted. Big drama, big holes, big passes, big plays, big excitement, and two defenses that had much about which to be modest.
"Thank God we've got a great offense," said Colts linebacker Gary Brackett, who made the clinching tackle on the game's final play.
Manning completed 22-of-30 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Running back Edgerrin James rushed 26 times for 125 yards on the field on which he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2001. Harrison caught six passes for 98 yards. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne caught six more for another 83 yards and a touchdown and wide receiver Brandon Stokley had four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
The Colts scored on seven of their nine possessions. Their offensive line held the door. It wrapped Manning in a cocoon. It escorted James. It owned the line of scrimmage.
* Crossposted at The World Around You
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Comments (4)
"I did not question McNabb'... (Below threshold)1. Posted by RHL | January 13, 2004 1:44 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"I did not question McNabb's performance because of his race at all. What I did was question the sports media's performance as journalists by skewing their analysis of McNabb's performance--and they continue to do it." -- Rush Limbaugh, January 12, 2004
1. Posted by RHL | January 13, 2004 1:44 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 13, 2004 01:44
2. Posted by RHL | January 13, 2004 1:44 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"I did not question McNabb's performance because of his race at all. What I did was question the sports media's performance as journalists by skewing their analysis of McNabb's performance--and they continue to do it." -- Rush Limbaugh, January 12, 2004
2. Posted by RHL | January 13, 2004 1:44 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 13, 2004 01:44
3. Posted by Tom | February 8, 2004 3:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Again, when the Colts get b*slapped you have nothing to say. Must have been out of town again. Funny how that happens every time they get embarrassed.
3. Posted by Tom | February 8, 2004 3:24 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 8, 2004 15:24
4. Posted by Kristopher | February 10, 2004 9:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Nope, not out of town. They got beat by a better team that day. I don't make excuses, so what am I going to write about?
4. Posted by Kristopher | February 10, 2004 9:54 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 10, 2004 21:54