Manning’s Out One Play Too Long for the Colts

Miami bloodied Peyton Manning and then knocked out the Indianapolis Colts.

The Dolphins recovered a fumble on the one play Manning missed Sunday, and followed that by driving 59 yards for a touchdown to cap a 10-point fourth-quarter rally in a 27-24 victory.

Manning’s counterpart, Jay Fiedler, completed 17 of 29 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns as he led the Dolphins to their fourth consecutive victory in Indianapolis.

The Colts (4-4) lost their leading tackler, linebacker Mike Peterson, with a torn knee ligament, and Manning will have X-rays to make sure his jaw isn’t broken.

Manning, who has never missed a start in his four-year career, took a helmet-to-helmet shot from Dolphin defensive end Lorenzo Bromell midway through the fourth quarter--a hit for which Bromell was penalized.

Manning emerged spitting blood and came out of the game.

While Manning was being treated on the sideline, replacement quarterback Mark Rypien could not make a handoff to Dominic Rhodes. Jason Taylor recovered for the Dolphins, setting up the game-winning drive.

Afterward, Manning was still feeling the effects.

“I don’t have much to say, because I’ve got to get X-rays and make sure it isn’t broken,” Manning said softly with gauze packed into his swollen jaw. “It could be.”

Miami (6-2) took advantage of two late turnovers--a Manning interception and the fumble--to stage a rally from a 24-17 deficit.

Seven plays after the fumble, Fiedler found an uncovered Chris Chambers on a 29-yard touchdown pass for the game-winner with 7:44 to go. “You’re always just waiting for the ball to come down when you’re out there by yourself,” said Chambers, who had three receptions for 113 yards with two touchdowns. “Jay made a great throw and a great read.”

Miami’s ground game, which has struggled in recent weeks, managed to churn out 134 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown run by Travis Minor that gave the Dolphins a 7-3 lead early in the game.

But Indianapolis, which trailed, 17-10, at halftime, turned the tables on Miami in the second half.

David Macklin’s diving interception of a Fiedler pass gave the Colts an opportunity. Three plays later, Manning hooked up with Marvin Harrison for a 13-yard touchdown.

Jeff Ogden’s fumbled punt return offered another chance for the Colts. This time, Manning and Harrison teamed for a 40-yard touchdown pass to give Indianapolis a 24-17 lead with 8:06 left in the third quarter. Harrison finished with nine receptions for 174 yards and three touchdowns.

But the Colts couldn’t hold the lead. A Manning pass was intercepted by Zach Thomas in the final minute of the third quarter. Miami capitalized with a 31-yard field goal from Olindo Mare. Four plays later, Bromell plowed straight into Manning’s helmet.