Luck, Hilton hook up to rally Colts past Chargers 26-22

In the first two games, Hilton was marginalized. Hilton promised he’d make plays in Week 3. However, that dream quickly evaporated when rookie tight end Hunter Henry fumbled the ball after catching a pass from Rivers, and the Colts recovered. However, a penalty called against the Chargers during the attempt provided the Colts with a new set of downs.

Indianapolis led 10-0 after one quarter, getting a 6-yard touchdown run from Frank Gore and a 38-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri. “Probably just knows it all off the top of his head”. The defense held, forcing the Chargers to settle for Lambo’s 34-yard field goal. The Colts are at least average there, ranking 15 in yards per carry allowed at 3.99.

On second-and-1, Indianapolis went back to the call that provided fourth-down success. Hilton’s play was the most encouraging development on offense.

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Andrew Luck completed 24 of his 37 passes for 331 yards and a touchdown. He totaled just 78 yards from scrimmage but scored his fourth touchdown in three games in the loss to the Colts. The Colts must figure out how to overcome history and finally get over the hump and take down the Chargers to save their season. Today was no different. Sunday, Luck found him, targeting him 11 times.

The San Diego Chargers play the Indianapolis Colts today in an NFL football game on the second weekend of the 2016 schedule. The Chargers got some big plays from Gordon and WR Travis Benjamin but after another unsportsmanlike penalty on San Diego, this time on Rivers. The Chargers then pushed inside the Colts 5 but a sack by Erik Walden forced the visitors to settle for a field goal.

In the 4th quarter the Chargers got back inside the 10 but again had to settle for three points to go up 22-20.

On paper, the Jaguars’ offense should have an easier time against the Colts’ defense than the Colts’ offense facing the Jaguars’ defense.

Philip Rivers got two more chances to win it.

“Bob Lamey is not only a legendary broadcaster, but also a passionate and loyal Colts fan”, the team said in a statement. This one counts. Making matters more challenging: The Colts elected not to have their bye week after the trip to London.

Per usual, the Colts’ success revolves around Luck. Hilton six plays later for a 63-yard pitch-and-catch for the winning score. Rivers will have to continue spreading the ball around to make up for the absence of two key players. So after returning late Sunday night, they’ll have to get to work Monday on the Chicago Bears.

“The Colts win it, 26 to 22″.

The biggest addition to this defense is Vontae Davis. Hoping Patrick Robinson comes back next week against Jacksonville, the Colts have seemingly survived the injury bug that haunted them up to this point on defense.

Defensive back DeAngelo Hall sprained his right knee, center Kory Lichtensteiger went out with a left calf injury and left guard Shawn Lauvao was knocked out of the game with a left ankle injury.