Colts Give Bengals’ Blake a Lesson in Reality, 17-13

Jeff Blake’s luck finally ran out Sunday.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ remarkable quarterback tried for one more big play in the final minute, but Ray Buchanan denied him another storybook ending. Buchanan intercepted in the end zone with 45 seconds left to clinch the Indianapolis Colts’ 17-13 victory.

Buchanan came away with his third interception on the type of play that has made Blake a phenomenon: a jump ball to Darnay Scott. Until the closing minute, the play had worked for Blake almost every time.

“They’ve been coming down with the ball the past couple of weeks,” Buchanan said. “They have very talented receivers who can jump and challenge for the ball when it’s up for grabs.

“He kind of threw it up for grabs and it was let the best man get the ball.”

Buchanan was the best man on the decisive play, although the Bengals thought he also was a very lucky man. He and Scott jostled for position as the ball was in the air, and the Bengals assumed the cornerback would be flagged.

Buchanan thought he did nothing wrong. He wasn’t surprised when no flags flew.

“I didn’t push him,” Buchanan said. “I turned around and looked for the ball.”

After struggling on offense all afternoon, the Colts (5-6) finally made some plays in the closing minutes.

Don Majkowski, playing with a torn ligament in the thumb of his passing hand, completed three consecutive passes to move the Colts down the field. He then read the Bengals’ coverage and threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Sean Dawkins with 1:54 left.

The 62-yard drive was the longest of the day behind Majkowski, who injured his hand two weeks ago. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 165 yards without an interception.

Blake, playing on a bruised left ankle, completed 21 of 37 passes for 207 yards, his least-productive game in four starts. But he had the Bengals in position for a third victory in a row after he led them on a nearly nine-minute drive in the third quarter. His 15-yard touchdown pass to Scott put them ahead, 13-7.