Patriots boot Colts in opener
FOXBORO, Mass. — And so it begins. Wide right.
After an hour-long pre-game musical show that was meant to rival the Super Bowl in all ways but one, the NFL’s 85th season began Thursday night with a spirited rematch of the 2003 AFC championship game. On a humid, misty evening at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots began defense of their title of world champions, beating the Indianapolis Colts, 27-24, in a back-and-forth contest.
It came down to a money kicker missing his first field goal in 43 attempts. Mike Vanderjagt had a chance to tie the game with a 48-yard field goal with less than 20 seconds left, but his kick sailed right.
Although they trailed at halftime, struggled to keep the Colts from moving the ball, and nearly blew a 10-point second-half lead with a series of costly turnovers, the Patriots earned their 16th consecutive victory. It was close, much closer than New England would have liked.
“It seems like all our games with the Colts are like this,” New England coach Bill Belichick said.
But the Patriots solidified their preseason reputation as the team to beat this year.
The key play came with the Colts ready to tie the game. On third-and-8 from the Patriots’ 16-yard line, Peyton Manning was sacked by veteran Willie McGinest. What would have been a 35-yard field-goal attempt for Vanderjagt turned into a 48-yarder.
Vanderjagt missed.
New England’s Tom Brady finished the game 26 of 38 for 335 yards. Manning was 16 of 29 for 256, and surpassed 25,000 for his career.
A wacky series late in the game nearly cost New England its victory. Leading by 27-24, Brady was driving the Patriots downfield when he was intercepted by Nick Harper. But the Colts could not capitalize and had to punt.
New England’s talented receiver, Deion Branch, who had one touchdown reception earlier, muffed the punt, and Indianapolis got the ball back at New England’s 33-yard line.
Then, the Colts got the break they couldn’t in the AFC title game. Patriots corner Asante Samuel was called for pass interference against Reggie Wayne. Indianapolis had first-and-goal at the 1.
But Edgerrin James fumbled on first down, and rookie Vince Wilfork recovered.
Less than eight months after Justin Timberlake revealed Janet Jackson’s right breast during an MTV-produced halftime show, the NFL took over preparation and production of its third annual season kickoff extravaganza.
The league controlled selection of the performers.
Unlike the Super Bowl, ABC used a 10-second delay.
The Super Bowl debacle embarrassed the league and could alter the guidelines by which live performances are shown on national television.