NFL Week 12 Summary
(AP) — The Indianapolis Colts spotted Houston an early 17-0 lead before a patented Peyton Manning fourth-quarter rally to stay one of the NFL’s two unbeaten teams after 12 weeks of the season.
Manning tossed three TDs and the Colts rallied for a 35-27 win, their 20th straight regular-season victory.
Indianapolis is 11-0, one win shy of the New England Patriots’ NFL-record 21-game run from 2006-08. The Colts can tie the record if they beat Tennessee at home next weekend.
The Colts are 15-1 lifetime against Houston, which fell to 5-6 and likely out of the playoff picture.
Manning threw two first-half interceptions, but had a pair of second-half TD passes, including a 4-yarder to Dallas Clark that gave the Colts a 21-20 lead with about nine minutes left. Clint Session stretched the lead to 28-20 when he returned an interception by Matt Schaub 26 yards for a touchdown seconds later. Schaub fumbled on Houston’s next possession and Chad Simpson’s touchdown run put the game out of reach.
The Colts are the first team to clinch a playoff berth, winning the AFC South title when Jacksonville lost to San Francisco.
The NFL’s other undefeated team is New Orleans, which hosts New England Monday night.
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