Age and Patriots Win Out, 16-14

There is a 15-year age difference between Steve Grogan, the New England Patriots’ quarterback, and Jeff George, the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback and No. 1 draft pick.

Grogan, the NFL’s oldest starting quarterback, demonstrated his experience Sunday when he led the Patriots to a 16-14 victory over the Colts to give New England Coach Rod Rust his first NFL victory.

Grogan, 37, completed 16 of 24 passes for 167 yards and teamed with Hart Lee Dykes on 27-yard touchdown pass play in the second quarter.

He threw one interception, went unsacked for the second consecutive week and converted 10 of 17 third-down situations.

“I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I don’t pay attention to how many DBs (defensive backs) they have on the field as opposed to linebackers,” Grogan said. “What we do, we’re going to do whatever they throw out at us.”

George, 22, completed 12 of 24 passes for 160 yards, connecting with Bill Brooks on a 68-yard scoring play with 2:16 left. But the rookie from Illinois was intercepted four times, was sacked for a 17-yard loss in the fourth quarter and was also called for intentional grounding on another passing attempt.

“Grogan has played this game for many years,” Indianapolis Coach Ron Meyer said of the 16-year veteran. “This is just this guy’s (George) second game. He learned a great deal.”

The score was tied, 7-7, when Jason Staurovsky kicked a 39-yard field goal with 11:35 left in the third quarter to give the Patriots the lead.

Staurovsky added field goals of 27 and 25 yards in the fourth quarter before the Colts scored on Brooks’ touchdown.

The Patriots (1-1) limited Indianapolis (0-2) to only five first downs--including two by penalty--in the final three quarters before Brooks’ scored.

The Patriots kept the Colts off-stride by mixing Grogan passes with the running of John Stephens, who gained 96 yards in 25 carries.

It was the Patriots’ fourth consecutive victory over the Colts and their 11th victory in 13 meetings since the Colts moved to Indianapolis.