INDIANAPOLIS--With the Colts playing in a stadium they hope to return to come February, Indianapolis notched a 20-12 victory on Sunday evening.
The first-team offense was particularly effective against the Giants, with Andrew Luck turning in a 9-of-13, 107-yard, two-touchdown performance.
Thanks to some good fortune, the Colts got on the board late in the first quarter.
Under severe pressure, Luck's attempted pass appeared to be heading towards an interception but Giants cornerback Aaron Ross couldn't corral it. Veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne was right there to tap the ball to himself and make the diving, 28-yard touchdown catch.
Following the Wayne touchdown, the Colts defense set up another scoring opportunity when new cornerback Greg Toler under cut an Eli Manning pass for the interception.
Kicker Adam Vinatieri would cash in on the turnover with a 52-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter.
The final drive of the night for the Colts first-team offense ended in yet another spectacular touchdown catch.
Facing a third-and-11 from the Giants 18-yard line, Luck avoided pressure and dropped a perfect pass to T.Y. Hilton, who barely got both of his feet down, for a touchdown.
For the evening, the Colts got great balance from their top three receivers with Darrius Heyward-Bey (4 catches for 42 yards), Wayne (3 for 37 yards) and Hilton (2 for 36 yards) leading the first-team offense.
Defensively, Toler had the highlight, along with new outside linebacker Erik Walden finishing the night with six tackles and a sack.
The first-team defense held the Giants out of the end zone and rookie Bjoern Werner logged productive minutes during nickel packages in his NFL debut.
On the evening, the Colts defense had six sacks with outside linebacker Caesar Rayford (two sacks) and defensive end Drake Nevis (two) pacing the group.
Next up for Indianapolis is a home contest on Saturday with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff against the Cleveland Browns.
SCORING RECAP
FIRST QUARTER (6:40 remaining)
After the Giants and Colts traded punts on the game's first two possessions, New York got on the board with a 25-yard field goal by kicker Josh Brown. The Giants converted a third-and-one early in the drive and broke into the red zone following a 20-yard reception by wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.Giants 3, Colts 0
FIRST QUARTER (2:48 remaining)
Thanks to a little luck and some impressive hand-eye coordination by Reggie Wayne, the Colts scored the first touchdown of the evening. With Andrew Luck getting hit as he threw it, Giants cornerback Aaron Ross juggled a potential interception and there was Wayne ready to tap the ball to himself for the 28-yard score. The Colts drive included three catches by Darrius Heyward-Bey for 30 yards. Kicker Adam Vinatieri hit the extra point. Colts 7, Giants 3
FIRST QUARTER (0:00 remaining)
Two days after ending training camp with a 51-yard field goal, Vinatieri ended the opening quarter with a 52-yarder on Sunday night. The drive was set up after new Colts cornerback Greg Toler picked off Eli Manning and gave the Indianapolis offense the ball at the Giants 41-yard line. Colts 10, Giants 3
SECOND QUARTER (9:41 remaining)
T.Y. Hilton showed the whole nation what he's been doing in Anderson, Ind. with a tremendous 18-yard touchdown catch on a third-and-11. Earlier in the drive, Luck found Hilton for an 18-yard gain on a third-and-6. Vinatieri added the extra point. Colts 17, Giants 3
SECOND QUARTER (4:06 remaining)
With the Colts first-team defense starting to trickle out of the lineup, Brown added another field goal. The 27-yarder came after the Colts held strong in the red zone. Rookie Bjoern Werner had a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry on the drive. Colts 17, Giants 6
SECOND QUARTER (0:00 remaining)
A final-minute interception by Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck led to the Giants adding another field goal at the halftime gun. Brown converted this one from 45 yards out as the Colts defense once again held strong in the red zone. Colts 17, Giants 9
THIRD QUARTER (5:45 remaining)
Rookie kicker Brandon McManus scored his first NFL points when his 50-yard field goal attempt knocked off the left upright and fell over the cross bar. With the second-team offense in the game, rookie running back Kerwynn Williams had a nice drive with three carries for 19 yards. Colts 20, Giants 9
FOURTH QUARTER (8:43 remaining)
The Giants finally got on the board in the second half but it once again came via the field goal. Brown connected on a 47-yarder which brought the Giants within one possession. Colts defensive end Drake Nevis had his second sack of the game on this drive. Colts 20, Giants 12
