Vanderjagt’s Kicking Proves Oh-Snow-Good

Indianapolis kicker Mike Vanderjagt had already kicked a 54-yard field goal through a heavy snowfall at the end of regulation, but Colt Coach Tony Dungy wasn’t sure he wanted him to try a second 50-yarder in overtime.

So who did the coach turn to for advice? Justin Snow, of course.

The Colts’ holder talked Dungy into the kick, and Vanderjagt rewarded him with a 51-yard field goal with 9:22 remaining in overtime to help the Colts beat the Denver Broncos, 23-20, Sunday night.

Dungy wanted to punt, but Snow said Vanderjagt could make it. Several other players chimed in to help change Dungy’s mind.

“I was determined to punt the ball, because I thought we could back them up and stop them and get good field position,” Dungy said. “They all, to a man, said, ‘No, let’s win right here.’ ”

Despite the snow flurries, players slipping and balls squirting loose all over the field, Vanderjagt felt right at home.

A Canadian who played three seasons in the Canadian Football League, Vanderjagt was three for three Sunday after missing five of his previous eight attempts.

The Colts (7-4) started the final drive in regulation at their 20 with 1:40 left, then moved 44 yards in 11 plays to set up Vanderjagt’s 54-yarder with three seconds left. The kick sailed through the uprights with plenty of room to spare.

Indianapolis got the ball first in overtime and moved 35 yards for Vanderjagt’s winning kick, which again had plenty of distance. “It’s Grey Cup Sunday today, and I’m Canadian, so it was a typical Sunday game for me,” Vanderjagt said. “It’s safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed this.”

The Broncos (7-4) lost on a dramatic kick for the second time this season.

Denver lost, 24-22, to Miami on Oct. 13 when Olindo Mare kicked a 53-yarder with six seconds left.

Denver has won all of its games during the day but is 0-4 at night. The Broncos have lost three straight at home, their longest streak since 1994, and failed to take advantage of San Diego’s loss earlier in the day. Denver is tied with the Chargers and Oakland atop the AFC West.

“Any time that you put yourself in a situation like we did and you don’t come away with a victory, it is pretty tough for a football team,” Denver Coach Mike Shanahan said.

“I am disappointed we didn’t get it done.”

The Colts won their third straight to move a game ahead of Tennessee in the AFC South.

They needed another huge game from Marvin Harrison to do it.

Harrison had 11 catches for 107 yards -- six on third-down conversions at one point -- giving him 100 receptions for the season. He became the first player in NFL history to reach the mark four consecutive seasons, eclipsing the record he shared with Jerry Rice and Herman Moore.

“I’m running out of things to say about him,” said Colt quarterback Peyton Manning, who completed 29 of 44 passes for 229 yards.