Flutie, Patriots Miss Chances, So Colts Win

This time, the Indianapolis Colts were ready for Doug Flutie.

Flutie misfired on three straight passes at a winning touchdown and then Jason Staurovsky of the New England Patriots missed a 27-yard field goal attempt as time expired, giving the Colts a 24-21 victory Sunday.

“We remembered what happened the last time,” Indianapolis Coach Ron Meyer said. “We were prepared for that, and anything else he might try.”

Flutie scrambled 13 yards for a touchdown with 23 seconds left to give the Patriots a 21-17 victory over the Colts 8 weeks ago.

After Dean Biasucci’s 28-yard field goal put the Colts (7-6) ahead with 2:22 left, Flutie drove the Patriots (7-6) to the Indianapolis 9-yard line before the drive stalled.

“He’s elusive,” Meyer said. “I’ll give them credit for going for the touchdown. They came down the field, but we got tremendous defensive coverage by our people inside the 10. (Flutie) tried to make something happen, but we didn’t allow it.”

With 6 minutes left, Staurovsky missed a 43-yard kick that would have given the Patriots the lead.

“The first kick I just tried too hard,” Staurovsky said. “I’ve never been in a situation like that before in the NFL. The second kick, there was just no excuse.”

New England, which got its first touchdown on Sammy Martin’s 95-yard return of the opening kickoff, took a 21-14 lead on a 1-yard scoring run by Mosi Tatupu on the first play of the final quarter.

The Colts tied the game when rookie Chris Chandler’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Mark Boyer.

The Patriots also got a 1-yard touchdown run by Robert Perryman on the first play of the second quarter, and Eric Dickerson’s 2-yard touchdown run late in the period gave the Colts a 14-14 tie.

Dickerson had another 2-yard touchdown run, but was held to 45 yards rushing.