|
 Cornerback Darius Butler then intercepted a Peyton Manning pass 13
seconds later, and Denver (7-1) never got the ball back as the Colts
ruined Manning's push for two NFL records.
Manning finished 21 of 36 for 281 yards, two touchdowns and two
costly interceptions. He had needed 284 passing yards to pass Brett
Favre's NFL career record and needed one victory for his 187th,
which also would break the NFL record set by Favre.
Luck, who replaced Manning in Indianapolis after he was released by
the team following the 2011 season, completed 21 of 36 passes for
252 yards and two touchdowns.
"Finally, we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot," said Luck, who
struggled with turnovers and sacks during the first eight games of
the season.
"The defense and special teams were great complementary pieces
today. And for once we weren't down three scores, which limits what
you can do offensively.
"We know we have the pieces to be a great team, and today, we made
some passes, were consistent and got lucky with a couple of dropped
(potential) interceptions.
"We all needed a win after all that has happened, so this was almost
like a one-game playoff. Everybody did a great job blocking out all
the situations we had going this week."
Indianapolis, who broke a three-game losing streak with the win,
took a 7-0 lead on Frank Gore's seven-yard run in the ifrst quarter,
capping a seven-play 80-yard drive that included a 28-yard pass from
Luck to T.Y. Hilton.
The Colts increased their lead to 10-0 with 12:13 remaining in the
second quarter on Vinatieri's 43-yard field goal.
Colts safety Mike Adams' interception of Manning at the Indianapolis
37 set up a three-yard touchdown pass to backup tight end Jack Doyle
that extended their lead to 17-0.
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Denver free safety Omar Bolden, however, then returned a punt 83
yards for a touchdown on the first half's final play, injecting life
into a Denver team that sputtered offensively throughout the first
30 minutes.
The Broncos got right back into the game early in the third quarter
when Manning's 64-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Emmanuel
Sanders sliced the deficit to 17-14 and then tied it at 17-17 on
Brandon McManus's 29-yard field goal.
Indianapolis took a 24-17 lead with 14:05 remaining in the fourth
quarter on Luck's eight-yard touchdown pass to running back Ahmad
Bradshaw before the Broncos tied the game again on Manning's
one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Owen Daniels.
"When you don't play as well as you would like, it's hard to win on
the road," Manning said.
"We just didn't play well enough."
(Compiled by Greg Stutchbury)
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