Sat, Nov 29, 2003
For Week 14 of the NFL season the New England Patriots traveled to Indianapolis for the first time in two years. The Colts had long been rivals in the AFC's Eastern Division but with 2002 divisional realignment were now in the AFC's Southern Division and both teams sported 9-2 records. The Patriots had defeated the Colts in six of the two teams' previous eight meetings, all with Peyton Manning as quarterback, and for nearly three quarters of this game the Patriots shut down the Colts en route to a 31-10 lead. But Tom Brady was picked off by the Colts, who then drove down for a touchdown on 4th and 9 at the Patriots' 13-yard line. Another Brady interception led to a one-play Peyton Manning touchdown drive, and on the Colts' next possession tied the game at 31. But the Patriots promptly scored another touchdown on a Tom Brady to Deion Branch toss, leaving the score 38-31. However, a Kevin Faulk fumble led to a Colts field goal and a poor punt from kicker Ken Walter in the final three minutes of the game set up a heart-stopping goal-line showdown led by the Colts' Edgerrin James against a Patriots defense led by Willie McGinest.