Patriots Win Fifth in a Row

After a year of frustration, Irving Fryar is showing the form that made him the NFL’s No. 1 pick overall in 1984.

Fryar scored on a 77-yard punt return and a five-yard pass reception Sunday to pace the New England Patriots to their fifth straight victory, a 34-15 rout of the error-prone Indianapolis Colts.

“I feel I’m finally earning my money this year,” said Fryar, who suffered through a series of rib and shoulder injuries last season. “I’m happy this year because I’m healthy.”

On his punt return, Fryar said fear of being ridiculed gave him extra incentive.

“I saw a crack and I hit it, then I didn’t want to get tackled by him (punter Rohn Stark),” Fryar said. “He’s a good athlete, but when you get tackled by a punter, the other players laugh at you the next day.”

The Patriots (7-3) who began the day as the NFL leader in turnovers and fumbles lost, capitalized on four of Indianapolis’ five turnovers for 24 points.

The Colts (3-7) lost three fumbles and had two passes intercepted. “The defense played hard and the offense played hard, but we didn’t get any results,” said Indianapolis Coach Rod Dowhower.

“The bottom line is that when you get blown out like this, it is usually the result of giving the other guy the ball.”

Mike Pagel hit Pat Beach with an 18-yard pass on a flea-flicker to give the Colts a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter. Raul Allegre missed the extra point.

But New England retaliated with 34 consecutive points.

Stanley Morgan finished with 7 receptions for 120 yards as New England had 190 yards passing. Craig James ran for 92 yards in 18 carries.

Despite the score, New England held only a marginal advantage in net yards, 297-282. The Patriots, however, totaled 164 yards on returns to 24 for the Colts.