Unlikely TD Pass The Difference In Colts Win

NFL News - November 1st, 2009 - Written by John

It was only a matter of time, really.

Through the first three quarters, the San Francisco 49ers' defense continued to bend, but not break against the NFL's top passer, keeping Peyton Manning out of the end zone despite 250 yards passing. But the Niners couldn't pull away on offense and the inevidible offensive touchdown by Reggie Wayne was the difference in an 18-14 win. The Indianapolis Colts remain as one of two unbeaten teams after a loss by the Denver Broncos earlier.

Manning couldn't find the end zone and it was another Colts player who finally broke threw to get things going. Running back Joseph Addai had his first NFL touchdown toss to Wayne in the fourth quarter. It was a 22-yard pass that gave Indianapolis it's first lead of the game 18-14.

Manning cleared 300 yards for the sixth time this season, finishing with 347 yards. Wayne was his main beneficiary, catching a career-high 12 passes for 147 yards, the third time he's had at least 120 yards. Tight end Dallas Clark nearly had 100 yards himself, catching eight passes for 99 yards.

The Colts have now won 16 straight games dating back to last season and head coach Jim Caldwell has more than lived up to the expectations after Tony Dungy's retirement. He is the first NFL coach to win his first seven games, standing alone with that stat after Josh McDaniels' Broncos lost.

And after a hot start to the year, San Francisco seems to be going backwards with three-straight losses despite a change at quarterback. Shaun Hill was benched last week in favor of former first overall pick Alex Smith, who threw three touchdowns to challenge the Houston Texans. But he was only 19 for 32 against the Colts for a touchdown and an interception.

Frank Gore, meanwhile, was good in his second game back from a foot injury. He had 91 yards rushing and had the team's first touchdown of the day when he broke off a 64-yard touchdown run on the first possesion of the game. Smith later added an eight-yard pass to Vernon Davis at the tail end of the first half.

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