Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri put a 52 yard field goal through the uprights with 8:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Colts held the New England Patriots scoreless the rest of the game, as Indy won 18-15 Sunday night. The victory puts the Colts back at the .500 mark with a 4-4 record, but the national TV audience saw a lackluster contest between two mediocre teams.

It is truly stunning when you think of how rapidly these two teams have gone from elite status, to just two teams hoping to stay in the playoff race. Last season the match-up between the Colts and New England was “Must See TV.” This game was more like watching a pair of aging heavy weights in the ring, each of whom has seen their better days long past. Although Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning may have had his best performance of the campaign, it was not enough to pull away from the Patriots.

New England at least has if not an excuse, an explanation why they have not live up to expectations. Pro Bowl quarterback, and last year’s MVP Tom Brady was lost in week one, and his back up Matt Cassel is showing more evidence each game of why he is a reserve quarterback in the NFL. Other than a surprisingly good performance on a Monday night game against Denver, Cassel has not displayed that he has the skill-set to be a starter in the league. Sunday night was another case when he showed he could march his team down the field, but gets into trouble deep in his opponents territory. Instead of touchdowns you settle for field goals.

The contest was scoreless until with 2:22 remaining in the first Manning hit Anthony Gonzalez with a 12 yard pass. After Vinatieri kicked the extra point the Colts were on top 7-0. New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who has supplied much of his team’s offense all season, kicked a 29 yard field goal with 10:24 left in the second quarter. The only other points, of the quarter were again via the foot of Gostkowski, a 35 yard field goal with 1:31 remaining. As the two teams went to their locker rooms at the half Indy led 7-6.

The Pats took their first lead of the game in the third as Benjarvus Green-Ellis ran the ball six yards into the end zone for a touchdown. New England looking to be ahead by seven points, attempted a two point conversion. However Kevin Faulk was not successful running the ball into the end zone and the Patriots were ahead 12-7. Gonzalez caught his second TD pass of the game this time a nine yard pass with 3:18 left in the third. Indianapolis did follow the touchdown with a two point conversion, as Manning connected with Reggie Wayne to make it a 15-12 game at the end of three quarters.

It would be up to the kickers for the rest of the contest. Gostkowski tied the game for the Pats with a 25 yard field goal with 11:38 left to play. But Vinatieri would have the final say as the 36 year old veteran scored the winning points against his former team.

Manning completed 21/29 for 254 yards, 2 touchdowns no interceptions. Cassel went 25/34 for 204 yards, no touchdowns but 1 interception. Indianapolis now with a 4-4 record will be in Pittsburgh next Sunday. New England with a 5-3 mark will host the Buffalo Bills.

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