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Green Bay vs. Indianapolis
11/16/97 - Packers Lose 38-41
Antonio Freeman had two TD's on the day |
A rare and improbable "drama" unfolded Sunday in the Indianapolis RCA Dome. In the early going, the 8-2 Packers -- substantial favorites -- appeared in position to fulfill oddsmakers' predictions of a comfortable victory over the host Colts, possessors of an 0-10 record going into action.
Moving out to a 14-3 lead before the game was 10 minutes old, the Green and
Gold appeared on their game, scoring with only 1:57 gone on a 3-yard pass
from quarterback Brett Favre to running back Dorsey Levens and again at
8:08 of the period on a 52-yard run by Levens.
(940K) |
Packers Radio Network with the call!
Levens gets pay dirt |
Then came an untoward series of events which set the stage for a major and
unexpected turnabout. By the time the final whistle had sounded, the
principals had combined to explode for 79 points and 908 yards of total
offense between them, with the Colts ultimately prevailing, 41-38, to
record their first victory of the season.
Taking possession after the Packers' second touchdown, the Colts launched
their resurgence by marching 80 yards in 7 plays for their first touchdown
of the afternoon, quarterback Paul Justin hitting wide receiver Marvin
Harrison with a 17-yard strike for the score. A bid for a 2-point
conversion failed but, subsequent events were to prove, it was only a
temporary setback for Indianapolis.
On the Packers' next possession, Favre fumbled when hit by Indianapolis
defensive back Monty Montgomery and defensive end Al Fontenot, pouncing
upon the loose football, rumbled 33 yards into the end zone. Justin's pass
to wideout Brian Stablein was complete for the 2-point conversion and the
Colts led for the first time, 17-14.
Another misadventure befell the Packers midway through the second quarter.
A Favre pass intended for Freeman was intercepted by defensive back Robert Blackmon, who lateraled to Jason Belser, who in turn raced 50 yards into the Green Bay end zone. With Cary Blanchard's conversion, the Colts led 24-14.
Stung by this turn of events, the Packers quickly retaliated, sweeping 81
yards in 5 plays for their third touchdown. Like their first two scores of
the afternoon, it was registered by Levens, who bolted off left guard from
one yard out, following Favre's 74-yard hookup with second-year wide
receiver Derrick Mayes to the one-yard line. After Ryan Longwell's third conversion, the Packers had closed to 24-21.
One exchange later, the Packers regained the lead, capitalizing on a
turnover created when defensive tackle Santana Dotson's sack of Justin
forced a fumble, recovered by fellow defender Gabe Wilkins at the Indy 31.
From there, Favre had the ball in the end zone in just three plays, hitting
Freeman with a 16-yard bullseye for the score. With Longwell's conversion,
it was Green Bay 28, Indianapolis 24.
(611K) |
Packers Radio Network with the call!
Freeman makes his first TD catch of the day |
The Colts then closed it to one point (28-27) as the first half ended,
placekicker Cary Blanchard kicking a 41-yard field goal on the final play
of the second quarter to cap a 54-yard drive.
Brett Favre had three TD
passes on the day |
Indianapolis continued the see-saw pattern midway through the third
quarter, with the aid of a third turnover, a bizarre interception. A Favre
pass was deflected high into the air by Montgomery and, when it came down,
intercepted by linebacker Quentin Coryatt at the Green Bay 49-yard line.
Nine plays later, Indianapolis went up 30-28 on a 35-yard Blanchard field
goal.
Newly-acquired kick returner Roell Preston's 41-yard runback of the
succeeding kickoff provided the Packers with exemplary field position and
they took advantage, driving to an 18-yard Longwell field goal to recapture
the lead, 31-30, in the third minute of the fourth quarter.
The Colts again struck back, this time moving 75 yards in 9 plays to score,
running back Lamont Warren bursting up the middle and into the end zone
from 3 yards out. Another 2-point conversion, this one on a pass from
Justin to Harrison, padded the Colts' lead to 38-31.
The Packers also refused to concede, Preston again providing the Packers
with excellent field position, returning Blanchard's kickoff to the Green
Bay 41. Favre needed only three plays to do the rest, hitting Freeman with
a 26-yard strike for the final touchdown of an incredible afternoon with
5:19 remaining in the game.
(751K) |
Packers Radio Network with the call!
Freeman makes his second TD catch of the day |
The Colts, however, had not run out of resources. Taking over at their own
25-yard line following Longwell's kickoff, they mounted an 8-play drive
which carried them all the way to a first down at the Green Bay 1-yard line
with 1:22 remaining.
Making sure that no time would remain for the Packers to retaliate, Justin
proceeded to "carry" the ball on three consecutive plays. After permitting
the clock to run down, the Colts then called timeout with three seconds
left and Blanchard kicked a 20-yard field goal as time expired to give
Indianapolis the 41-38 victory.
Scoring Summary
- 1st Quarter
- G.B.: 3 yard pass; Favre to Levens (Longwell kick) (13:03)
- IND: 42 yard Blanchard FG (7:48)
- G.B.: 52 yard Levens run (Longwell kick) (6:52)
- IND: 18 yard pass; Justin to Harrison (No PAT)(14:55)
- 2nd Quarter
- IND: 40 yard Fontenot Fumble Return (Stablein on Conversion pass)(2:27)
- IND: Blackman INT and lateral, 40 yard Belser return (Blanchard Kick)(8:36)
- G.B.: 1 yard Levens run (Longwell kick) (4:35)
- G.B.: 18 yard TD pass; Favre to Freeman (Longwell kick) (1:02)
- IND: 41 yard Blanchard FG (0:04)
- 3rd Quarter
- IND: 35 yard Blanchard FG (3:08)
- 4th Quarter
- G.B.: 18 yard Longwell FG (12:04)
- IND: 2 yard run; Warren (PAT pass; Justin to Harrison)(6:28)
- G.B.: 28 yard pass; Favre to Freeman (Longwell kick)(5:19)
- IND: 21 yard Blanchard FG (0:03)
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