Colts Gab

Sage Rosenfels led Minnesota on scoring drives on the first two series, helping the Vikings beat Indianapolis 13-3.

Rosenfels completed 10 of 13 passes for 91 yards to take the early lead in the team’s quarterback duel. Chester Taylor scored the game’s only touchdown on a 5-yard run in the first quarter. Tarvaris Jackson, last year’s starting quarterback, completed seven of 15 passes for 39 yards and led the Vikings to a field goal.

Indy went into typical preseason mode for coach Jim Caldwell’s debut. Five offensive starters and the top five defensive backs all sat out. Peyton Manning took only six snaps and was sacked three times, and the Vikings outgained Indy 147-0 in the first quarter.

You’re going to get arguments from both sides of the fence – that the Indianapolis Colts’ 31-27 victory over the Houston Texans Sunday at Reliant Stadium was due to: a) a monumental collapse by the Texans, especially by Sage Rosenfels, or b) Colts quarterback Peyton Manning did what he is famoud for – leading his team to an unlikely victory in the last few minutes. But to be fair, a little bit of both occurred.

Texans QB Sage Rosenfels, subbing for starter Matt Schaub, had the Texans ahead 27-10 before losing the ball twice to fumbles and throwing an interception; Colts rookie tight end Tom Santi caught a TD pass from Manning, narrowing the gap to 27-17 with 4:04 to go. Houston would recover the attempted onside kick; however, Rosenfels ran into cornerback Marlin Jackson, who stripped the ball while linebacker Gary Brackett ran back the fumble for a Colts TD, cutting the Texans’ lead to 27-24.

On the Texans’ next drive, Indianapolis defensive tackle Robert Mathis sacked Rosenfels, stripping him of the ball at the Houston 19. Manning would then proceed to hit wide receiver Reggie Wayne with a 5-yard TD pass with 1:54 remaining in the game, sealing the win for the Colts. Manning had a decent outing – not Manning-esque – but decent nonetheless, going 25-of-34 for 247 yards with 2 TD’s and an interception while Rosenfels also did well, going 21-of-33 for 246 yards, with a TD and an INT.

Addai led the Colts rushers with 71 rushing yards while rookie Steve Slaton led all Texans’ rushers with 93 yards on 16 carries; Ahman Green chipped in with 47 yards on 12 carries. Wayne led all Colts receivers with 97 yards on 7 receptions and a TD while Dallas Clark added 5 catches for 81 yards. Andre Johnson led all Texans receivers with 131 yards on 9 receptions and a TD; TE Owen Daniels caught 5 passes for 47 yards. Indianapolis (2-2) return home to host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday while Houston (0-4) remains home to take on the resurgent Miami Dolphins – also on Sunday.