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Grit and determination was the name of the game at the Metrodome today.  Held scoreless in the first half for the first time since 2000, Indianapolis clawed their way back from a 15 point deficit to win 18-15.  Peyton Manning continued to look uncomfortable this week, throwing two interceptions and ending up with a 72.62 passer rating.  The Colts frustrations continued when a missed chip shot by Adam Vinatieri was the outcome of a beautiful opportunity provided by an interception by Dwight Freeney.  With 6 minutes left on the clock you could almost hear Manning thinking “I am mad as Hell, and I’m not gonna take it anymore!!” The boys in blue fought back with a TD plus a 2 point conversion to tie the game at 15 all.  With 8 seconds left in the game Vinatieri got a chance to redeem himself with a 47-yd field goal to put away the win.

This game came down to sheer force of will on the part of Peyton Manning.  However, credit must be paid to Dwight Freeney, and the rest of the Colts defense, who held the Vikings to field goals and made it possible for Peyton to pull his very inexperienced offense up by the bootstraps.  Props to Peyton; reminding us of why he is a future Hall-of-Famer (and my little champion dog’s namesake).  Incidentally, keep your eye on WR Anthony Gonzalez, whose fancy footwork and refusal to drop the ball pulled Indy’s fat out of the fire today more than a couple of times. 

“Brady who?” was the question of the day in the Meadowlands.  The Patriots soundly defeated the NY Jets 19 to 10 with a respectable offensive performance and a defense that locked up Brett Farve and forced Jets errors.  No question that this New England team will look different without Tom Brady, however I don’t believe they are losing there seat to the Bills anytime soon. 

The shake-ups in the AFC continued in Denver today with San Diego going 0-2.  The Chargers were down by two touchdowns going into the 3^rd quarter.  They rallied, scoring 21 points in the second half, only to have the win elude them.  The Broncos score a TD and with 29 seconds left in the game bringing the score to 38-37, Chargers.  Bronco’s Mike Shanahan makes the gutsy call to line up for the 2 points rather than go into OT and comes away with the win. 

Controversy surrounds this Denver win due to a confusing call late in the 4^th quarter.  Trailing 38-31, the Broncos were knocking at San Diego’s door on 3^rd and goal when Jay Cutler lost the ball and Charger’s LB Tim Dobbins recovered it.  However, because the ball hit the ground while Cutler’s hand was moving forward, Ed Hochuli ruled it as an incomplete pass, and thus put the kibosh on Charger hopes for a turn-over.  Hochuli has since admitted that he blew this call, but I’m sure that is little consolation to Bolts fans. The Chargers return to SD to face the Jets next Monday night.

Elsewhere in the league the Carolina Panthers, who delivered the Chargers their first loss last week, edged out the Chicago Bears in a game rife with penalties and kooky plays by special teams.  Buffalo continued to look like contenders with an impressive win over Jacksonville.  The NY Giants crushed the Rams, much to Head Coach Scott Linehan’s chagrin. And the Tennessee Titans go 2-0 for the first time since 1999, while the Seattle Seahawks go 0-2 for the first time since 2002. 

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