INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts (9-6) defeated the New York Giants (5-10), 28-27, in today's Week 16 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium. Check out the highlights from today's Colts victory.
FOURTH QUARTER
— Nice stand by the Colts' defense. Giants can only get a 27-yard field goal, and extend their lead to 27-21 with 9:20 left in the fourth quarter.
— Colts are in the lead for the first time all afternoon. Andrew Luck finds Chester Rogers for a one-yard touchdown pass with 59 seconds remaining, and after Adam Vinatieri's extra point, Indy leads, 28-27. A terrific eight-play, 53-yard drive for the Colts that was aided by two huge defensive penalties on the Giants.
— On the ensuing Giants possession, Eli Manning is off the mark, and safety Malik Hooker is there to grab the game-sealing interception, his second pick of the season.
— Final: Colts 28, Giants 27. Indianapolis moves to 9-6 on the year, and both the AFC South Division title and a Wild Card spot are still well within reach heading into the final week of the season.
THIRD QUARTER
— Injury update: tight end Eric Ebron (concussion) is OUT. Center Ryan Kelly (neck) is OUT.
— The Colts are right back in this thing. Using a huge 55-yard connection between Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton, Luck, on 3rd and Goal from the Giants' 2-yard line, finds wide receiver Dontrelle Inman for the two-yard touchdown pass — the veteran's second touchdown grab of the season. Now Indy trails by just three, 17-14, with 7:38 left in the third quarter. That was a seven-play, 85-yard drive that took 4:11 off the clock for an offense now without its Pro Bowl tight end and its Pro Bowl alternate center.
— New York answers right back, going 85 yards in eight plays on a drive that culminates in a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Eli Manning. The Giants' lead is back to 10 points, 24-14, with 3:42 left in the third quarter.
— Injury update: cornerback Quincy Wilson (head/neck evaluation) is QUESTIONABLE to return.
— Colts answer right back, going 74 yards in seven plays, as Marlon Mack finds the end zone from three yards out. Giants 24, Colts 21 with 32 seconds left in the third quarter.
— Injury update: CB Quincy Wilson has returned to the game.
— At the end of the third quarter, the Giants lead the Colts, 24-21.
SECOND QUARTER
— The Colts' woes continue. Andrew Luck is flushed out of the pocket and lofts a high pass towards the end zone, which is easily intercepted by safety Curtis Riley for the touchback. Was Luck just trying to throw it away? Was there a cross-up with a receiver? Nevertheless, not ideal at all given the timing and the hot start the Giants' offense has gotten off to.
— There's some life. The Colts go on a 12-play, 78-yard drive that ends with a one-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Nyheim Hines, his second rushing touchdown of the season, and Indy now trails by seven, 14-7, with 4:09 left in the second quarter. The big play on that drive: a well-placed lofting pass from Luck to T.Y. Hilton, who literally makes a finger-tip catch for 25 yards to the New York 15. Hilton, who has been battling an ankle injury, looked like he was limping a bit for that Hines touchdown run play, so we'll keep an eye on that.
— Injury update: center Ryan Kelly (neck) is QUESTIONABLE to return.
— 40-yard field goal for the Giants, who lead 17-7 with 1:10 left in the second quarter.
— Tight end Eric Ebron walks off the field after he's slow to get up late in the first half. He then heads to the locker room early just before halftime. We'll have an update as soon as we're given one.
— At halftime, the Giants lead the Colts, 17-7. New York gets the ball to open the second half.
FIRST QUARTER
— After the Colts went three-and-out on their opening drive, the Giants strike first, as running back Saquon Barkley, a leading candidate for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, runs it into the end zone from a yard out. That capped an 11-play, 75-yard opening scoring drive for Eli Manning and the New York offense. The Giants take a 7-0 lead with 8:11 left in the first quarter.
— Giants go up two touchdowns early. Manning finds tight end Scott Simonson for a three-yard touchdown pass, and New York takes a 14-0 lead with 1:41 left in the first quarter. The Colts actually looked like they were going to get a defensive stop, but on 3rd and 11 from the New York 38, Manning launched a bomb deep down the center of the field, where Sterling Shepard was wide open for a 55-yard completion to the Indianapolis 7. The Colts team, with two three-and-outs on offense and some obvious confusion and issues on defense, better get things back on track — and fast.
— At the end of the first quarter, the Giants lead the Colts, 14-0.
PREGAME
The following players are inactive for today's 2018 Week 16 matchup against the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium:
• C Josh Andrews
• WR Daurice Fountain
• S Clayton Geathers
• G Mark Glowinski
• S Rolan Milligan
• LB Anthony Walker
• RB Jonathan Williams
Lineup changes
The Colts are expecting the following lineup changes today:
— Joe Haeg is expected to start at right guard in place of Mark Glowinski.
— Ahmad Thomas is expected to start at linebacker in place of Anthony Walker.
— Mike Mitchell is expected to start at safety in place of Clayton Geathers.
