SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 4, 2012
Colts 23, Dolphins 20: Andrew Luck threw for an NFL rookie-record 433 yards and two touchdowns as host Indianapolis got an early boost in the wild card race by edging Miami.
Adam Vinatieri kicked a 43-yard field goal with 5:58 left in the fourth quarter, his third successful attempt of the game, to provide the winning margin and Donnie Avery led the receiving corps with five catches for 108 yards for the Colts (5-3), who have won three straight.
Ryan Tannehill started for the Dolphins (4-4) despite knee and thigh injuries that limited him in practice during the week. The No. 8 overall pick went 22-of-38 for 290 yards and a touchdown but could not convert on third- or fourth-and-long with under two minutes left, allowing Indianapolis to kneel out the clock.
Luck completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne in the first quarter to give the Colts an early lead but Tannehill answered right back, hitting Charles Clay with a 31-yard scoring pass to put the Dolphins on top 10-7.
Reggie Bush’s 18-yard touchdown kept Miami up 17-13 at the half but Luck found T.Y. Hilton with a 36-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and the Indianapolis defense held the Dolphins to three points after the break.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Luck is now tied with Peyton Manning for the most 300-yard passing games by a rookie quarterback with four. … Dolphins WR Brian Hartline had eight catches for 107 yards. … The Colts finished with 516 yards of total offense and converted 13-of-19 third downs.