INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Arizona Cardinals, 31-27, at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon to improve to 5-1.
The offense scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, then the defense shut the door on the visitors as they drove for the go-ahead score in the final minute.
The Colts started fast, driving 65 yards in nine plays for the first points of the game. Quarterback Daniel Jones connected with tight end Tyler Warren for gains of 23 and six yards before finding the rookie for an 8-yard touchdown. The score was the Colts’ first opening-drive touchdown of the season.
The Cardinals answered at the end of the first quarter behind former Colts’ quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who started for an injured Kyler Murray. Brissett hit tight end Trey McBride on a 3rd-and-long for 26 yards to get Arizona down to the Indianapolis 7-yard line. Bam Knight scored three plays later from a yard out to tie the game.
The Colts committed their first turnover at home early in the second quarter when Mack Wilson intercepted Jones at the Indianapolis 36-yard line. The Cardinals gave the ball right back two plays later as Mekhi Blackmon intercepted Brissett.
The Colts took advantage of the takeaway, mounting a 9-play, 87-yard drive, capped by a Jones 3-yard rushing touchdown. Chad Ryland made a 40-yard field goal for Arizona with under two minutes to play in half to make the game 14-10 at the break.
The Cardinals scored two touchdowns in the third quarter with a Colts’ field sandwiched between to lead heading into the fourth. Brissett connected with McBride for a 1-yard touchdown and Greg Dortch for a 12-yard score.
The fourth quarter was back-and-forth. The Colts tied the game at 24 on a Jones-to-Josh Downs touchdown pass.
Arizona answered right back with a Ryland 44-yard field goal to reclaim the lead.
The Colts had yet another response as they marched down the field 66 yards in nine plays, going ahead on a Jonathan Taylor 1-yard touchdown.
The defense had to stand tall as the Cardinals drove down to the Indianapolis 9-yard line for the potential winning score, but Brissett’s pass to the end zone on fourth down was incomplete.
Michael Badgley, kicking in his first game for the Colts after Spencer Shrader suffered a season-ending injury, made his own field goal attempt, a 45-yarder, and was 4-for-4 on extra points.
The Colts are back on the road next week to play their second game this season at SoFi Stadium as they visit the Chargers at 4:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS4.