Colts' Road to the Super Bowl

Colts' Road to the Super Bowl
Colts' Road to the Super Bowl /

Colts' Road to the Super Bowl

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Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne caught 10 passes for 162 yards, including the game-deciding 35-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, as the Colts got their season off on the right foot with a 14-12 victory over the Jaguars.

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Richard C. Lewis/Icon SMI

In a Monday night thriller, the Indianapolis defense held strong against a late Miami drive as the Colts edged out the Dolphins, 27-23. Dallas Clark finished with seven receptions for 183 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown on the game's first play. With the victory, Peyton Manning passed Johnny Unitas for most wins (119) by a quarterback in franchise history.

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John W. McDonough/SI

Peyton Manning threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns while the Colts defense finished with four sacks and three turnovers in a 31-10 win over Arizona.

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Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Seahawks offense never got off the ground, thanks to Robert Mathis' three sacks and two forced fumbles. On the other side of the ball, Peyton Manning threw for 363 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 34-17 victory.

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Bob Rosato/SI

Peyton Manning's MVP season continued as he found Austin Collie for two touchdowns in a 31-9 victory over the Titans. Manning finished the day with 309 yards and three touchdowns, his fifth straight 300-yard passing day.

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David E. Klutho/SI

The 0-5 Rams proved no match as Peyton Manning completed passes to eight receivers, finishing 23 of 34 for 235 yards and three TDs in a 42-6 victory.

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Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Reggie Wayne had 147 yards on 12 receptions, including a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that put Indianapolis ahead for good. The 18-14 win over a pesky 49ers squad extened Indy's record to 7-0.

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John Biever/SI (2); Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Texans kicker Kris Brown missed a game-tying 42 yard field goal as time expired, allowing the Colts to squeak by 20-17. Dallas Clark led Indianapolis with 14 catches for 119 yards.

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Damian Strohmeyer, David E. Klutho/SI

In what some consider the best game of the season, the Colts pulled off a shocking fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Patriots 35-34 and maintain their undefeated season. The game will live in infamy due to Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the Patriots' 28 with 2:08 remaining. New England failed to convert and Reggie Wayne scored the game-winning touchdown to keep the Colts' hopes for a perfect season alive.

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Al Tielemans/SI

Pierre Garcon recorded career highs in receptions (six) and yards (108) as the Colts held off a a touchdown-challenged Ravens squad 17-15. Baltimore kicker Billy Cundiff connected on five field goals, but his 30-yard miss in the third quarter proved to be the difference.

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Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Indianapolis fought back from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Texans and extend their perfect record to 11-0. Linebacker Clint Session broke open a one-point game with a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Colts' 35-27 victory.

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Bob Rosato/SI

The Colts recorded their 21st consecutive regular-season win, tying the 2006-08 Patriots for the NFL record, in a 27-17 victory over the Titans. Joseph Addai carried the ball 21 times for 79 yards and scored twice.

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Al Tielemans/SI, Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Peyton Manning has his ups (four TD passes) and downs (three INTs) as the Colts beat a tough Broncos squad 28-16. Dallas Clark caught three touchdown passes as the Cots set an NFL record for consecutive victories (22); set a franchise record for consecutive home wins (13); and set the NFL mark for most wins in a single decade (114).

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Bill Frakes/SI; Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Peyton Manning had another dominant game, throwing for 308 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-31 win over the Jaguars. Colts CB Jacob Lacey intercepted David Garrard's pass with a little more than one minute remaining to seal the win.

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With homefield advantage locked down, the Colts rested their starters in the second half and suffered their first loss of the season, a 29-15 defeat to the Jets. The decision to rest the starters raised controversy throughout the league as backup QB Curtis Painter was intercepted by Jets CB Dwight Lowery with 4:52 remaining, ending any hopes of the Colts mounting a comeback from a 29-15 deficit.

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In a meaningless regular season finale for both teams, the Bills braved the snow and a slew of Colts backups in a 30-7 victory in Buffalo. Peyton Manning completed seven passes to Dallas Clark, allowing him to become the NFL's second tight end to have a 100-catch season (joining Tony Gonzalez). Reggie Wayne had five catches to reach 100 for the second time in his career.

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David Bergman/SI

The Colts shut down a red-hot Ravens running attack as Indianpolis advanced to the AFC Championship with a 20-3 victory over Baltimore. Peyton Manning led the way against a stingy D, completing 30 of 44 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns.

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Al Tielemans/SI

The vaunted Jets defense was no match for Peyton Manning and the Colts as Indianapolis cruised to a 30-17 victory and a date in Miami for the Super Bowl. Manning threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns and Pierre Garcon had a career game, catching 11 balls for 151 yards and a touchdown.<br><br>Send comments to siwriters@simail.com


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