Needless to say that this has been a disappointing season for the Indianapolis Colts, of course without Peyton Manning as the starting quarterback and the plethora of injuries during this season the record speaks for itself. The Colts are at a place where they probably wish that the lockout was still active at 0-10 for the season but in come the Carolina Panthers. This could be the Colts best opportunity to find a victory before the end of the season. For the Panthers there is a future and success seems in the cards down the road. With Cam Newton at the helm as the starting quarterback he is among the leaders in passing yards and total touchdowns. He has turned out to be more than the Panthers thought when they selected him first overall in this year’s draft. The Panthers have been a streaky team, one week they look unbeatable and the next they look like last year’s team. In order for the Panthers to be a true contender in the future they must learn to finish ball games. No doubt this was going to be a battle and here is how it broke down:

1st quarter

The Panthers strike first after a couple of good drives as O. Mare connects on a 40-yard field goal and the score at the end of the first Panthers 3, Colts 0

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2nd quarter

The Panthers hit pay dirt as Cam Newton takes it in from 14-yards out. The Colts answer the score by Newton with a 17-yard rushing touchdown from Donald Brown; again the Colts get a drive going and end with Vinatieri hitting a field goal from 43-yards out and the score at halftime Panthers 10, Colts 10

3rd quarter

The Panthers go back up as D. Williams runs it in from 25-yards out, the Colts put together a drive and settle for a Vinatieri 31-yard field goal making the score at the end of the third Panthers 17, Colts 13

4th quarter

The Panthers’ D. Williams strikes again with a 2-yard run, finally the Colts air it out as Painter connects with Wayne for a 56-yard touchdown pass but the two point conversion fails, the Panthers march back and O. Mare tacks on a 41-yard field goal, the Colts had a drive going but in the final moments Painter looking for Collie in the back of the end zone but the pass is picked to seal the game for the Panthers. Final score Panthers 27, Colts 19.

Key Statistics:

Indianapolis Colts

C. Painter 15 for 29 226 yards 1 touchdown 2 interceptions

D. Brown 14 rushes 80 yards 1 touchdown

R. Wayne 5 receptions 122 yards 1 touchdown

Carolina Panthers

C. Newton 20 for 27 208 yards 0 touchdowns 0 interceptions

D. Williams 15 rushes 69 yards 2 touchdowns

S. Smith 3 receptions 68 yards 0 touchdowns

By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer