Mistakes Cost Colts in the End

New England made the Indianapolis Colts pay dearly for their mistakes.

Curtis Martin ran for two touchdowns and the Patriots turned two of four Indianapolis fumbles into touchdowns in a 27-9 victory on Sunday.

“Our offense got pumped up when we saw how our defense was playing,” Martin said. “In the NFL, games are won by those teams who take advantage of the other team’s mistakes, and that’s what we did.”

A third fumble cost the Colts a possible touchdown, a 42-yard punt return by David Meggett set up a 44-yard field goal by Patriot Adam Vinatieri, and the Colts (5-2) three times lost the ball on downs.

“It was as good a game as we have played in a while,” Patriot Coach Bill Parcells said. “Turnovers were a big factor. Special teams made some big plays and the offense finally got going.”

The 27 points were the most given up by the Colts this season.

“No excuse whatsoever. We don’t ever look for excuses,” Colt Coach Lindy Infante said. “We just got outplayed today.”

The Patriots (4-3) broke the game open in the third quarter after rookie Marrio Grier recovered a fumble by Colt rookie Marvin Harrison on a punt return at the Indianapolis 17. Martin then ran four times, scoring his first touchdown for a 17-6 New England lead.

Jim Harbaugh completed five consecutive passes on the next series, taking the Colts to the New England 35 before an incomplete pass on fourth down gave the ball back to the Patriots.

Harbaugh suffered a broken nose in the fourth quarter when he was sacked.

“The first guy got me and yanked my face mask and the second guy came in and cleaned me up with a right cross,” Harbaugh said.