After blowing a 10-0 lead, Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts made sure to complete the comeback to win its first game of the season in a 26-22 victory over the San Diego Chargers.
Down 22-20 with just over two minutes to go and on their own 17-yard line, Luck completed a pass to wide receiver T. Y. Hilton on fourth-and-seven to keep the drive alive.
Then just two plays later, Luck found Hilton over the middle for a 63-yard touchdown.
On second-and-one, the Pro Bowl receiver caught the ball between two defenders and after spinning his way out of a tackle, the 26-year-old then zig-zagged his way past the safety and in for the game-winning score.
Andrew Luck and TY Hilton combined for this dramatic game-winning TD ?#SDvsIND https://t.co/pykTMDpTNR
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) September 25, 2016
It’s the second time this season that Luck has had to rally the troops at home, but unlike the season opening loss, the Colts held on for the win.
In all, Luck finished the day with 331 yards and a touchdown and one interception to earn his 15th career come-from-behind win.
The Colts defense was spectacular against the run as they held Chargers running back Melvin Gordon to just 35 yards on 16 carries. For the game, San Diego averaged just 2.2 yards per rush while the Colts averaged 3.6.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers played well despite not throwing a touchdown pass as he completed 26 of 39 passes for 326 yards.
San Diego’s defense also got on the board as defensive tackle Caraum Reid got the scoop and score when he returned a fumble 61-yards for a touchdown just before halftime.
Luck gets sacked.
Luck loses the football.@Chargers DE Caraun Reid takes it to the HOUSE #Chargers https://t.co/Na8xPZMQ2H— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2016
The win was a big one for Indianapolis which was on the brink of starting the season 0-3 for the first time since 2011 when Peyton Manning missed an entire year due to injury.
Since the current playoff format took place in 1990, only five 0-3 teams have made the postseason. The Buffalo Bills were the last team to do it since 1998.
Joey Bosa
For the first time this week, Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa — the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft — practiced in pads. The former Ohio State player still has not made his NFL debut after lengthy contract disputes took him out fall camp. Now the only thing holding Bosa back is a hamstring injury.
Next Opponent
Indianapolis: With the win, the Colts are 1-2 on the year and will host its third home game of the young season against the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) on Sunday.
San Diego: The Chargers will host the New Orleans Saints (0-3) Sunday. The winless Saints are coming off a 45-32 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
