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INDIANAPOLIS –With the Colts' offense stagnant and reeling, Indianapolis fought for the entire 60 minutes in delivering yet another thrilling fourth-quarter comeback.
Down 33-28 and facing a fourth down with three seconds remaining, quarterback Andrew Luck found Donnie Avery on a drag route, and the receiver did the rest finding the end zone as time expired.
The comeback began with the Colts defense holding Detroit at bay for much of the second half and allowing the offense chances to get its hands back on the football.
Luck hit wide receiver LaVon Brazill for a 42-yard touchdown (the first of Brazill's career) with 2:39 remaining, cutting the deficit to 33-28.
Punter Pat McAfee kicked the ball out of the end zone on the ensuing kickoff as the Colts had two timeouts remaining.
Detroit drew a pass interference call two plays later, but the Colts defense stood tough in forcing a punt with 1:14 remaining.
The Colts took over at their own 25-yard line needing a touchdown to push their record four games over .500.
On the third play of the drive, wide receiver Reggie Wayne hauled in a critical 26-yard catch in traffic over the middle and Luck followed that with a 16-yard scramble two plays later.
Following an incompletion, tight end Dwayne Allen hauled in a 10-yard reception to set up the offense at the 14-yard line with 18 seconds to play.
After three passes fell incomplete, the Colts made the most of the final play from scrimmage. With an empty backfield and Avery lined up at the far left side, Luck rolled to his right and found No. 11 across the middle and he did the rest.
For the afternoon, Luck was 24-of-54 for 391 yards with four touchdowns. He and the offense overcame three interceptions with the 85- and 75-yard touchdown drives late in the fourth quarter.
Rookie tight end Coby Fleener caught his first career NFL touchdown in the first half on a 26-yard leaping grab over Detroit linebacker DeAndre Levy.
Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis recorded his first career interception late in the first half.
Indianapolis battled back from a 23-14 halftime deficit to even its road record at 3-3 on the season.
Before embarking on back-to-back road contests beginning on Dec. 16, the Colts will return home next Sunday to take on the Tennessee Titans (4-8).
SCORING RECAP
FIRST QUARTER (8:49 remaining)
The Lions got things started on Sunday with a 48-yard field from kicker Jason Hanson after the teams traded punts on their first possessions. Winning the early field positioning, the Lions moved into Colts territory behind a pair of catches by wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Detroit's drive stalled after pressure from Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis forced an incompletion on a third-and-three.
Lions 3, Colts
FIRST QUARTER (6:29 remaining)
The Colts answered quickly with two massive third-down conversions leading to a touchdown. Quarterback Andrew Luck hung touch in the pocket on a third-and-11 and found wide receiver Donnie Avery for a 17-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown was set up by a 60-yard, third-down reception earlier in the drive by T.Y. Hilton. The Hilton catch was the longest reception of the season for the Colts. Kicker Adam Vinatieri added the extra point. Colts 7, Lions 3
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FIRST QUARTER (1:48 remaining)
The scoring continued as the Lions utilized their tight end duo with Brandon Pettigrew making a terrific catch on a 16-yard touchdown reception. The Pettigrew touchdown was set up after a tremendous 39-yard, sideline reception by fellow tight end Tony Scheffler. Hanson converted the extra point. Lions 10, Colts 7
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SECOND QUARTER (11:27 remaining)
After completing nine straight passes, quarterback Matthew Stafford handed off to running back Mikel Leshoure for a six-yard touchdown run. Stafford is 13-of-17 for 176 yards on the afternoon. Johnson has six catches for 70 yards and made a spectacular one-handed, 32-yard reception during the drive. Hanson connected on the extra point. Lions 17, Colts 7
SECOND QUARTER (9:47 remaining)
The Colts showed off their impressive tight end duo in answering the Lions' 14 straight points. Tight end Coby Fleener caught his first career NFL touchdown on a 26-yard reception over Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy. Fellow rookie tight end Dwayne Allen started the drive with a 40-yard screen pass to set up the Colts in Lions territory. Vinatieri added the extra point. Lions 17, Colts 14
SECOND QUARTER (7:22 remaining)
A Drayton Florence interception of Luck set up a 33-yard field goal by Hanson. Florence stepped in front of a pass intended for Hilton and made the interception, but Luck's effort to save a potential return for a touchdown gave the Indianapolis defense a chance to hold Detroit to just three points. Lions 20, Colts 14
SECOND QUARTER (3:46 remaining)
Hanson showed that he still has plenty of leg as he connected on a 52-yard field goal. Hanson has connected on all three of his field goals. This one ended a 31-yard march. Lions 23, Colts 14
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THIRD QUARTER (12:05 remaining)
The Colts answered with an impressive drive to start the second half as running back Vick Ballard scored his first career NFL rushing touchdown from 11 yards out. A 42-yard reception by Avery pushed the Colts deep into Lions territory as Indianapolis had its best rushing performance of any drive on the afternoon. Vinatieri hit the extra point. Lions 23, Colts 21
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THIRD QUARTER (0:02 remaining)
After a quiet third quarter, Stafford bought plenty of time on a third down and found Johnson for a 46-yard touchdown. Johnson now has a career-high with 12 catches and those receptions have accounted for 163 yards. Hanson added the extra point. Lions 30, Colts 21
FOURTH QUARTER (8:41 remaining)
Hanson continued his productive afternoon with his fourth made field goal, this one from 31 yards out. Detroit running back Joique Bell ripped off a 67-yard run on the drive but Colts cornerback Cassius Vaughn saved a potential touchdown, allowing Indianapolis to hold the Lions to a field goal. Lions 33, Colts 21
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FOURTH QUARTER (2:39 remaining)
Hoping for another fourth quarter comeback, Luck bought extra time and found rookie wide receiver LaVon Brazill for his first career NFL touchdown. The 42-yard touchdown reception by Brazill was his first catch on the afternoon as Luck has hit eight different receivers for a total of 341 yards. Vinatieri hit the extra point. Lions 33, Colts 28
FOURTH QUARTER (0:00 remaining)
The Colts completed yet another fourth quarter comeback as Avery took a fourth down pass and went 11 yards for the game-winning score. In 1:07, the Colts went 75 yards on 11 plays with Luck keeping numerous plays alive with his legs, including the eventual touchdown. Vinatieri added the extra point. Colts 35, Lions 33
