Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) spikes the ball after his touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Anthony Richardson is getting used to having the ball in his hands in close games. And he’s learning how to win in those situations.
Indianapolis’ second-year quarterback threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Alec Pierce with 12 seconds left and ran for the go-ahead 2-point conversion, and the Colts beat New England 25-24 on Sunday when the Patriots’ Joey Slye missed a 68-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
It was the second comeback win in three games for Richardson, who also ran for a TD in the final minute to beat the New York Jets two weeks ago.
“Whatever it takes, man. Whatever it takes,” Richardson said.
Richardson finished 12 of 24 for 109 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions to help the Colts (6-7) keep their postseason hopes alive. Three of Indianapolis’ final four opponents have losing records.
The Patriots (3-10) were eliminated from playoff contention with their fourth loss in five games. Drake Maye finished 24 of 30 for 238 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Indianapolis capitalized on a pass-interference penalty to get into the red zone with just over a minute left. Then, facing fourth-and-goal on the 3, Richardson rolled out and hit Pierce to get Indy within a point.
Coach Shane Steichen told his players they were going for 2 and called a run-pass option for Richardson, who took over from there.
“I know Shane called that play for a certain reason,” Richardson said. “I was reading the outside guys on it. But once I looked in the middle, I just decided I was going to put it in my hands. … And we made it happen.”
Steichen said the moment could resonate for his quarterback and the Colts.
“It comes down to a lot of those in this league, and that’s huge growth,” Steichen said. “That’s huge confidence for him. Huge confidence for our team that he can get those things done.”
After the successful conversion, Maye connected with tight end Hunter Henry on two passes for 20 yards to advance the ball to midfield. The Patriots lined up from there for what would have been an NFL record-long field goal. Slye’s kick was on line but fell short of the crossbar.
Indy’s Jonathan Taylor carried 25 times for 96 yards, passing Marshall Faulk (5,320 yards) for third place on the franchise rushing list.
The Patriots were balanced offensively, rushing for a season-high 200 yards. But they scored touchdowns on just 2 of 6 trips to the red zone.
“I have to give our guys some chances,” Maye said. “Just can’t settle for four field goals in the red zone and expect to win ballgames.”
Matt Gay put the Colts in front 17-16 with a 25-yard field goal early in the third quarter.
New England then drove the the Colts 7. Maye threw a pass that hit Henry in the hands at the goal line, but Julian Blackmon wrestled the ball away for an interception.
Indy punted, and the Patriots marched back into the red zone. Antonio Gibson ran it in from 11 yards out, followed by a 2-point conversion pass from Maye to Kayshon Boutte that gave the Patriots a 24-17 lead with just over eight minutes remaining.
The Patriots possessed the ball for nine minutes more than the Colts in the first half, but they came away with one TD and three field goals in four red-zone trips. New England’s offensive line was whistled for four holding penalties, which contributed to those drives being stunted.
Indy had only one penalty in the opening 24 minutes and went 2 for 2 scoring touchdowns inside the 20. New England led 16-14 at halftime.
Injuries
Patriots: Henry left the game in the first quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit. He returned in the second quarter.
Peppers returns
Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers started after being taken off the commissioner’s exempt list this week amid his ongoing domestic violence and drug case.
He was placed on the list on Oct. 9, two days after he was arrested and charged with shoving his girlfriend’s head into a wall and choking her. The league said this week that its review is ongoing.
He finished with nine tackles.
Up next
Colts: After a bye, at Denver on Dec. 15.
Patriots: After a bye, at Arizona on Dec. 15.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
By KYLE HIGHTOWER
AP Sports Writer
This post was last modified on 12/01/2024 3:05 pm
