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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, December 17, 2009

NFL: Colts stay unbeaten with 35-31 win over Jaguars


By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Peyton Manning completed every pass early and one big one late, exactly what the Indianapolis Colts needed to stay unbeaten.

Manning threw for 308 yards and four touchdowns, including a 65-yarder to Reggie Wayne to go ahead for good, and the Colts beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-31 Thursday night to improve to 14-0 for the first time in franchise history.
The wild game on a cool night included 714 yards, 43 first downs, 10 lead changes, five punts, several big plays and just two turnovers.
“I thought today was a great test against a good team,” Manning said. “Feel real good about the win.”
The Jaguars (7-7) had a chance to win it in the closing minutes, but David Garrard overthrew Mike Thomas on a third-and-10 play with about a minute to play. Jacob Lacey intercepted the ball, and the Colts ran out the clock.
Indianapolis extended its NFL-record winning streak in the regular season to 23 and became the third 14-0 team in league history, joining the 1972 Miami Dolphins and 2007 New England Patriots. New Orleans can join the list with a victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night.
Jacksonville lost for the third time in the four games and no longer controls its fate in the AFC wild-card race.