Lowery Gets Milestone Field Goal in Nick of Time : AFC: Kicker’s third of game moves him past 1,500 points in career and breaks late tie en route to Jets’ 16-6 victory over Colts.

That annual comedy of errors, Colts vs. Jets, played the Meadowlands again Sunday. It was as laughable as ever, until New York provided a few twists at the end.

The Jets ended a five-year home losing streak against Indianapolis with a 16-6 victory. Until a late touchdown, the game had all the elements of other recent Colts-Jets matchups that wound up 9-6, 10-6, 6-3 and 6-0. Both teams often fell victim to their ineptitude on offense, rarely even managing a first down until New York’s winning drive. Fumbles, penalties and interceptions bogged down both sides.

But Nick Lowery made three field goals, making him the third player in history with more than 1,500 points, and backup running back Adrian Murrell provided a boost for New York in the fourth period.

“I did know that it was 9-6 last year. That’s just the way this team plays,” Lowery said. “It’s a matter of time before our offense finds its stride.”

The Jets (3-3) might have run out of time if not for Murrell, who ran for 65 yards, nearly all of it in the final quarter, in his first extended action of a 22-game pro career.

“It was really my first time toting the ball this much,” the speedy back said, “so it felt good. If I can keep giving the team a spark, I’ll get more chances down the road. They won’t be afraid to use me the next week.”

The score was tied, 6-6, at halftime and stayed that way as the Colts’ usually reliable Dean Biasucci missed a field goal from 35 yards in the third quarter.

Murrell then sparked the decisive march, rushing for 15 yards and turning a short pass into a 12-yard gain on third down despite having little blocking on the play. Lowery’s 37-yard kick came with 6:23 to go and lifted him over the 1,500 point mark, trailing only George Blanda and Jan Stenerud.

Cornerback James Hasty, who has struggled this season, then helped clinch it by forcing a fumble by Floyd Turner at the Colts 25 with 5:36 remaining. Hasty recovered, then Murrell broke a 19-yard run. On third down, Johnny Mitchell caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Boomer Esiason to clinch it.

“I look forward to that kind of opportunity,” said Mitchell, whose only catch Sunday was the touchdown. “Coach believed in me and I believed in myself. It was very satisfying.”

Despite a gimpy ankle that sidelined him last week, Boomer Esiason replaced the befuddled Jack Trudeau at quarterback late in the second quarter and led the Jets to all but three of their points.

Marshall Faulk ran for 93 yards in 20 carries, but he also fumbled twice for the Colts (2-4). He showed glimpses of his breakaway skills, but often had nowhere to go.

“This game actually fell on my shoulders and I lost it,” said Faulk, the second pick overall in this year’s draft. “I can take the blame for it.”

Getting His Kicks

Nick Lowery’s three field goals and one extra point Sunday for the New York Jets made the 16-year veteran the third player in NFL history with more than 1,500 points. The top 10:

Player YRS TD FG PAT PTS George Blanda 26 9 335 943 2,002 Jan Stenerud 19 0 373 580 1,699 Nick Lowery 16 0 336 495 1,503 Pat Leahy 18 0 304 558 1,470 Jim Turner 16 1 304 521 1,439 Mark Moseley 16 0 300 482 1,382 Jim Bakken 17 0 282 534 1,380 Fred Cox 15 0 282 519 1,365 Lou Groza 17 1 234 641 1,349 Eddie Murray 17 0 286 546 1,304