Denver, CO -- (Sports Network) - Adam Vinatieri booted a 37-yard field goal with two seconds remaining as the Indianapolis Colts edged the Denver Broncos, 34-31, in a shootout at Invesco Field.
Peyton Manning engineered an eight-play, 62-yard drive in the final two minutes to set up the game-winning field goal for the Colts, who have raced out to a 7-0 mark for the second straight season.
He finished a sizzling 32-of-39 for 345 yards and three touchdowns, each of which went to Reggie Wayne. Wayne caught 10 balls in all for 138 yards, with all of his TDs coming in the second half.
Mike Bell rushed for 136 yards and a pair of scores on 15 carries for Denver (5-2), which had a five-game winning streak halted. Jake Plummer ended 13- of-21 for 174 yards and a score to help guide his team to a 14-6 halftime lead, but the Colts hung up 28 points in the final 30 minutes.
"Our team played extremely well," head coach Mike Shanahan said. "Our game plan going in was to play our defense early and really rush the passer and then react to the run. I thought they did a very good job at giving Peyton Manning the time needed and, obviously, if you give Peyton some time, he's going to make a play."
Wayne's final touchdown of the day came with under four minutes to play in the game, as Manning tossed a perfect ball down the left sideline that No. 87 hauled in to give the Colts a 31-28 lead.
On first down of the ensuing possession, though, Bell broke off a 28-yard run that brought the Broncos down to the Indy 32 yard-line. The defense held from there, but Jason Elam knocked in a 49-yard field goal with 1:49 on the clock to put Denver back on top.
There was too much time left on the clock for Manning, however. The signal- caller went a perfect 5-for-5 in the final drive, including a nine-yard strike to Wayne that moved his team to the Denver 28. Joseph Addai followed with a 10-yard scamper that milked the clock down to six seconds. Vinatieri then stepped in and nailed his attempt right down the middle to capture the win.
Vinatieri was 4-for-4 on the day, including a 42-yarder late in the first to put his team out in front.
The Broncos responded with a nine-play, 80-yard drive that bridged the first and second quarters and gave the home team a 7-3 edge. Plummer connected with David Kircus for a 45-yard gain to push his team into enemy territory, and later scored on a one-yard QB sneak.
Vinatieri cut the deficit to one with a 30-yard field goal with 5:10 remaining in the second quarter, but the Bronco offense struck right back. Plummer used his arms and feet to move Denver down to the Indy 15 before hitting Javon Walker in the end zone with 22 seconds left to give his squad a 14-6 halftime lead.
Manning and Wayne connected for back-to-back touchdown completions to give the Colts the lead. Manning hit Wayne on a 12-yard skinny post pattern for the first score, then went right back to the same play on the next drive -- this time from five yards out -- to put Indy ahead, 20-14.
Mike Bell was inserted into the game in favor of starter Tatum Bell and paid immediate dividends, sparking a drive that he capped with a one-yard TD plunge that gave the Broncos a 21-20 advantage after three quarters.
"I can't take any credit for it," Bell said of his performance. "The offensive line did a great job and Jake did a great job with the play-action. It was really exciting. I came in with a chip on my shoulder and was thankful for the opportunity."
Vinatieri kicked a 48-yard field goal early in the fourth to continue the sea- saw action, but Bell responded with another one-yard TD run midway through the fourth.
Game Notes
Tatum Bell finished with just 27 yards on 13 carries...Indy outgained Denver 437-396...The Denver defense had only yielded two touchdowns all season entering the game...Denver holds an 11-5 edge in the all-time regular season series with Indianapolis...This was the first game of the season that Denver surpassed the 17-point mark.
