Vinatieri Kicks Colts To Victory Over Falcons

Matt Hasselbeck returns to being the starter.

The Atlanta Falcons’ defense got off to a fast start after the bye week, but couldn’t make enough plays to hold back Indianapolis quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. They got two touchdown catches from the injury-prone Ahmad Bradshaw, who was re-signed a month ago, and an interception return for a score from 32-year-old linebacker D’Qwell Jackson. Then Vinatieri won it, as he’s done so many times before, on a 43-yard field goal with 52 seconds remaining. “It’s incredible to watch and I’m lucky to be teammates with that guy”. Atlanta still had all three timeouts and was receiving the ball to start the third quarter, so they had a chance for two more scores before the Colts would see the ball again. After the Falcons scored on the first drive to open the second half, they went scoreless.

Now, it’s in danger of falling apart.

The Falcons haven’t been losing games due to their defense – it’s Matt Ryan and the offense that has come up short. We’re here to give you a realistic breakdown of the Colts after each and every game. Like I told you, he’s a created player.

“This team knows how to finish”, coach Chuck Pagano said Monday.

When Hasselbeck was given the opportunity to win the game for Indy late, he orchestrated a nine-play, 56-yard scoring drive that efficiently moved the Colts into scoring position, setting up the eventual game-winning field goal. I think areas that we need to improve are third downs and red zone. “But the excitement is always there”. Chalk it up to the “It Happens” phenomenon; the 49ers’ three-man defensive line was tremendous that day, and the Falcons as a team have averaged 123.1 yards rushing in all their other contests.

Since their 4-0 SU and ATS start to the campaign, Dan Quinn’s squad is just 2-3 SU, 0-5 ATS, a dramatically overvalued commodity in recent weeks. “We’ve got to go out there and fix all the stuff we’re doing on offense and don’t just depend on him to win the game for us”.

“What do I say to him?” White had four catches for 24 yards on a season-high nine targets.

The Colts also are without starting quarterback Andrew Luck because of a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle sustained during a November 8 victory over Denver.

“It’s just a play I can’t make”, Ryan said.

The Falcons jumped ahead with help from a rarely used offensive fullback. Ryan completed 25 of 46 passes for 280 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. With the running game struggling, Ryan attempted a play-action pass over the middle. He said he never saw Jackson on the fourth-quarter interception.

The Colts have been good at stopping the run, giving up just 35 yards to the Broncos. He has 20 yards, five carries.

“It’s tough”, Ryan said. “Devonta’s been such a big part of what we’ve done this season”. In his last game, Hasselbeck looked exceedingly efficient, but it was against a poor Houston Texans defense.

Medical update: Lost amid the post-game euphoria was an injury to left tackle Anthony Castonzo on the Colts’ final drive.