Since last week proved to be one of comebacks in both the NFL playoffs and college’s BCS title game, it seemed only fitting that we look back at one of the best ever in league history.
And how convenient that the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots will be squaring off in the postseason for the fourth time in 11 years. It was seven seasons ago that these teams squared off for the right to go to Super Bowl XLI.
In 2003 and ’04, the Pats had ousted quarterback Peyton Manning and company in the playoffs, the first time in the AFC title game and the next year in the divisional playoffs. Both of these games took place in the elements in Foxborough. But while these rivals each finished 12-4 in 2006, Indianapolis would host this playoff encounter due to the fact that they had beaten the Patriots earlier in the season.
Both Brady and his Patriots and Manning and his Colts had taken the long way to the AFC title game. New England defeated the New York Jets and the top-seeded San Diego Chargers in the playoffs and Indianapolis bested the Kansas City Chiefs and the second-seeded Baltimore Ravens in the postseason.
And New England appeared headed to a fourth Super Bowl in six years after taking a 21-3 second-quarter lead at the RCA Dome. The Patriots final touchdown of the first half came when cornerback Asante Samuel picked off Manning and returned the theft 39 yards for a score. But the Colts got a 26-yard field goal from Adam Vinarieri just before halftime and the real fun would begin after intermission.
Down 21-6, Indianapolis would tie the score thanks to a pair of 76-yard touchdown drives. The first culminated with a one-yard run by Manning and the second a one-yard toss to defensive tackle Dan Klecko. And when Manning found wideout Marvin Harrison for the two-point conversion the games was all even with 19 minutes to play in regulation.
It didn’t take the Patriots long to reclaim the lead. Thanks to an 80-yard kickoff return by Ellis Hobbs, Brady culminated a five-play, 21-yard march with a six-yard touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney. But the Colts tied it once again when a 67-yard drive ended with center Jeff Saturday’s offensive fumble recovery in the end zone (the third touchdown of the game by an offensive or defensive lineman).
The teams would soon trade field goals. But when New England’s Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 43-yard field goal with 3:49 to play, it was now or never for Manning and his club.
It proved to be now. The Colts took their first lead of the game with just 1:00 to play on a three-year scoring run by Joseph Addai. Soon afterwards, Brady was intercepted by Indianapolis cornerback Marlin Jackson and the deal was done.
The 18-point comeback remains the biggest in an NFL championship game. More importantly, it put Manning into his first Super Bowl. Two weeks later, the well-respected but oft-criticized quarterback won the Big Game after all thanks to a 29-17 triumph over the Chicago Bears.
