The New York Giants played perhaps their best first half of football on Sunday. But they collapsed in the second half allowing the Colts to score the game-winning touchdown with 55 seconds remaining in the game.
- Indianapolis Colts 28 (9-6)
- New York Giants 27 (5-10)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
The New York Giants suffered another heartbreaking defeat on Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts came back from a 14-0 deficit to score the game-winning touchdown in the final minute to give the Giants their second loss in a row.
The Giants began the scoring on their first possession of the game driving 75 yards on 11 plays capped off by a Saquon Barkley one-yard touchdown run.
TOUCHDOWN @SAQUON! Nice opening drive ends with a Big Blue TD!#NYGvsIND | #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/2nsR7lF3m6
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 23, 2018
After the defense forced their second consecutive three and out, the offense would score a touchdown on their second consecutive possession on an Eli Manning three-yard touchdown pass to Scott Simonson to put Big Blue up 14-0.
TOUCHDOWN! Eli connects with Scott Simonson for another #NYGiants score!!!#NYGvsIND | #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/gwORcwGcfr
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 23, 2018
The Colts offense finally showed signs of life on their third possession of the game as they moved the ball 49 yards on eight plays, but the ends put an end to the drive on a Curtis Riley interception of Andrew Luck in the end zone.
That toe tap ?@curtis35riley intercepts Luck in the end zone! #GiantsPride
?: CBS pic.twitter.com/kiWfWlNIav
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2018
Indianapolis would score their first points of the game on their next possession on a Nyheim Hines one-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 14-7.
.@TheNyNy7 gets us on the board. #NYGvsIND pic.twitter.com/vgiZqSQVX9
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 23, 2018
The Giants would respond by driving 53 yards on nine plays setting up an Aldrick Rosas 40 yard field goal to close out the scoring in the first half with the Giants ahead 17-7.
The Giants would punt on the opening possession of the second half, and the Colts would take over at their 15-yard line. From there they would go 85 yards on just seven plays and scored their second touchdown of the game on a Luck two-yard pass to Dontrelle Inman.
TOUCHDOWN INMAN!
TOUCHDOWN INMAN!
TOUCHDOWN INMAN!
TOUCHDOWN INMAN! pic.twitter.com/fUgc9ArPMw— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 23, 2018
New York would extend their lead back to 10 after going 85 yards on eight plays as Manning scored his first rushing touchdown of the year on a 1 yard sneak.
Why should @Saquon have all the fun!?! ELI MANNING takes it himself for a one-yard rushing TD!!!#NYGvsIND | #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/pyBQpK1wFq
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 23, 2018
The Colts would respond on a seven play 74-yard drive that ended in a Marlon Mack three-yard touchdown run to cut the Giants lead to 24-21.
By this time, it was obvious that the Giants defense had lost the focus they had in the first half.
THE MACK ATTACK! pic.twitter.com/GOmf4XOXO4
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 23, 2018
After going 66 yards on 12 plays, the Giants opened the scoring in the fourth quarter on a Rosas 27-yard field goal to go up 27-21.
The two teams would trade punts on the next two possessions. Then with 2:48 remaining in the game the Colts took over at their own 47-yard line. From there, they would go 52 yards on seven plays before Luck threw the game-winning three-yard touchdown pass to Chester Rogers with 55 seconds remaining.
TOUCHDOWN CHESTER ROGERS! #COLTS LEAD! pic.twitter.com/QCz6lkF3CU
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 23, 2018
The Giants comeback attempt came to an end when Manning was intercepted by Malik Hooker at the Colts 35-yard line with 23 seconds remaining.
The New York Giants will close out their season next Sunday at home against the Dallas Cowboys who clinched the NFC East division with their victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
