2003 Indianapolis Colts season

"at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio"
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
*Game weather: 73 °F, Sunny
*TV announcers:
*Game attendance: 73,358
*Referee: Walt Anderson

Game Summary

The Colts had high expectations leading into the 2003 season, and hoped to start the season on the right track after a humiliating loss the New York Jets in the 2002 AFC Divisional Playoffs. Peyton Manning struggled for most of the game, throwing two interceptions in the first half. Kelly Holcomb and the Cleveland Browns suffered from similar problems, however, as Holcomb twice drove the Browns inside of the Indianapolis ten yard line, but failed to score a touchdown on either drive. With the game tied 6-6 in the fourth quarter, Manning flawlessly drove the Colts from their own 8 yard line to the Cleveland 25, the highlight of the drive being a 15 yard connection to wide receiver Reggie Wayne on a 3rd and 10 situation. With six seconds left, coach Tony Dungy called timeout and sent in kicker Mike Vanderjagt to attempt the game winning field goal, which he connected on. This kick was Vanderjagt's first game winner since being labeled as an idiot kicker by Manning in the offseason after charging that Manning needed to show more emotion in games.

Scoring Summary

Week 2: vs. Tennessee Titans

" at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana"
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
*Game weather: "Game played indoors" (Domed stadium)
*TV announcers:
*Game attendance: 56,999
*Referee: Jeff Triplette

Game Summary

Scoring Summary

Week 3: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Game Summary

Scoring Summary

Week 4: at New Orleans Saints

Game Summary

Scoring Summary

Week 13: New England Patriots

*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
*Game weather: (Domed stadium)
*TV announcers:
*Game attendance: 56,999
*Referee: Bill Leavy

Game Summary

The Colts hosted the Patriots in the first meeting between the two clubs since October 2001 and the first meeting since divisional realignment took the Colts out of the AFC East into the AFC South. With both teams at 9-2 it was the latest in a season in which two teams with no more than two losses had ever met. The Patriots opened up with a flurry; an Adam Vinatieri field goal was followed by the sacking of Peyton Manning and a fumble recovery, followed by a Mike Cloud rushing score. Dedric Ward then caught a 31-yard Tom Brady touchdown throw for a 17-0 Patriots lead. Peyton Manning led two scoring drives that left the score 17-10 New England with 12 seconds in the first half, but on the ensuing kick to end the half Bethel Johnson ran the ball back for a 92-yard touchdown.

The Patriots increased their lead to 31-10 on another Cloud rushing score, but the tide turned decisively as Brady threw two picks late in the third quarter; Manning completed a 13-yard touchdown to Reggie Wayne on fourth down, then found Marvin Harrison for a 23-yard score. A six-yard Troy Walters touchdown catch in the fourth tied the game at 31, then Bethel Johnson had another huge kickoff return, setting up a 13-yard Brady to Deion Branch touchdown. Kevin Faulk was then steamrolled in the Pats' redzone and fumbled the ball, leading to a 29-yard Mike Vanderjagt kick and a 38-34 Patriots lead. The Patriots were forced to punt in the final minutes and Ken Walter laid an egg, as his punt landed at the 50. The Colts drove to the Patriots 2-yard line entering the final minute and Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest suffered a momentary leg injury that necessitated stopping the clock. On first down Edgerrin James was stopped at the 1; on second he was stopped and Manning called the Colts' final timeout; on third he threw to the left side of the endzone but the ball sailed over everyone's heads; finally on fourth with 15 seconds remaining James was stopped at the 1 by McGinest, Ted Washington, and Rodney Harrison. The 38-34 thriller left the Patriots shaken ("I've never seen anything like it," Rodney Harrison said afterward) and left them 10-2 and the Colts 9-3.

Postseason Schedule

Postseason Results

AFC Wild-Card Playoff Game: vs. Denver Broncos

Game Summary

Scoring Summary

AFC Divisional Playoff Game: at Kansas City Chiefs

Game Summary

Scoring Summary

AFC Championship Game: at New England Patriots

Game Summary

Scoring Summary

Awards and Records

* Peyton Manning, Bert Bell Award [ [http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/bell/past_bell.htm Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients ] ]

See also

*History of the Indianapolis Colts
*Indianapolis Colts seasons
*Colts-Patriots rivalry
*Chiefs-Colts rivalry

References