INDIANAPOLIS 31, JACKSONVILLE 24

JACKSONVILLE, Florida Keiwan Ratliffs 35-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference as the Indianapolis Colts clinched a playoff berth with a 31-24 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Peyton Manning completed his first 17 passes and finished 29-of-34 for 364 yards and three touchdowns for the Colts (11-4), who won their eighth straight game.

Indianapolis trailed by 10 entering the fourth quarter, but tied the contest with 6:34 left after Mannings 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Clark earlier in the session and Adam Vinatieris 45-yard field goal.

On third down, Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard tried to force a ball into coverage to his left where Ratliff intercepted the pass and followed his blockers down the right sideline. The score gave the Colts a 31-24 lead with 4:58 remaining.

After the both teams punted, Jacksonville (5-10) drove down to Indianapolis seven-yard line with 19 seconds left.

With no timeouts left, Garrard threw an incompletion on first down and Dwight Freeney raced around the left end and sacked the quarterback on second down. The Jaguars could not get back to the line in time to stop the clock, ending the game.

Garrard was 28-of-41 for 329 yards with one touchdown and one interception for Jacksonville. He also rushed for a score.

Posted on December 19th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: NFL football news