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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
SEATTLE (AP) -- Edgerrin James is starting to show that his
rookie season was no fluke.
|  | | Colts running back Edgerrin James had a franchise-record 219 yards and three TDs on 38 carries. |
The second-year running back had not had a 100-yard rushing
performance since the season-opener against Kansas City, and he had
been held without a touchdown in his previous two games.
James broke out in a big way Sunday, rushing for three
touchdowns and a franchise-record 219 yards, leading the Colts over
the Seattle Seahawks 37-24.
James carried 38 times and scored on runs of 26, 3 and 2 yards,
the second time in his two-year career he's had three TDs in a
game. He easily topped the 198-yard performance by Norm Bulaich
against the Jets on Sept. 17, 1971.
"The last couple of weeks, I've been trying to make stuff
happen, instead of waiting for things to open up," James said. "I
always hope to have a big game. But this won't be the last time I
have a game like this.
"This is the beginning of my career."
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TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN |
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The Colts finished a three-game road trip with another victory. Over the
past two seasons, the Colts have been one of the best road teams in the NFL,
with a 9-2 record in their last 11 road games.
The Colts have been struggling running the football, but they might have found
a solution to their problem in Seattle's run defense.
Edgerrin James had a breakout
game (219 yards rushing) in an overall outstanding performance. Peyton Manning also was sharp.
Seattle still is experimenting, changing the lineup almost weekly. The
Seahawks did not run the football as effectively as they can, though you
have to give credit to the Colts' run defense.
A bright spot for Seattle was the play of second-year quarterback Brock Huard.
Huard was sharp (19-for-26, three touchdowns) despite being sacked five times. He'll
have to improve on his ability to feel the rush.
But Huard's performance is an encouraging sign for the Seahawks. He looked
much more comfortable today than he did last week in his first game after
being named the starter.
Tom Donahoe, ESPN.com's NFL analyst, was formerly the Steelers' director
of football operations.
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It was James' first game against Seattle, and the Seahawks
cannot be looking forward to the next one. Seattle (2-5) had not
allowed a single back to gain 200 yards against them since Denver's
Terrell Davis had 208 on Oct. 1, 1998.
James ran for 82 yards in the first quarter alone as
Indianapolis (4-2) completed a three-game road trip.
He had clear running lanes, thanks in part to a solid passing
game. Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison had 134 yards on seven
receptions, his fifth 100-yard performance in six games this
season, and ninth out of 11 going back to 1999.
"I give all the credit to the offensive line and the receivers.
They stayed on their blocks, and that gave me the chance that I
needed," James said. "We were committed to the run."
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning bounced back from his poor
performance a week earlier, when he threw three interceptions in
the fourth quarter of a 24-16 loss to New England. He threw one
touchdown pass against the Seahawks and finished 20-for-30 for 281
yards.
For Seattle, the loss spoiled Brock Huard's solid home debut as
the Seahawks quarterback. Huard, who supplanted Jon Kitna as the
starter a week ago, threw three scoring passes in his first NFL
start at Husky Stadium, where he played in college for the
University of Washington.
Huard left the game twice with an injured right knee in the
fourth quarter. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said an MRI was
planned Monday.
After leaving the game briefly, Huard's third touchdown pass, a
6-yard strike to Karsten Bailey, cut the Colts' lead to 37-24 with
5:12. Seattle recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but Huard
was picked off two plays later by Chad Cota and left the game for
good.
"We're kind of on the ropes. And we need to get a win," Huard
said. "We're reeling as a team. A win could heal a lot of
wounds."
The Colts, after taking a 20-17 lead at halftime, took command
in the third quarter. James ran for 38 yards on six carries, and
Manning capped an 11-play drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to
tight end Ken Dilger.
James opened the scoring with a 26-yard run with 11:05 left in
the first quarter, capping an 87-yard drive in which he rushed for
44 yards on five carries.
James scored on a 3-yard run with 6:54 left in the first half to
put the Colts up 17-7. He added a 2-yard scoring run with 12
seconds left in the third quarter that gave Indianapolis a 34-17
lead.
Huard, who completed 19 of 26 pass attempts for 226 yards and
one interception, kept the Seahawks close in the first half.
He threw two scoring passes in the second quarter, an 8-yard
pass to Darrell Jackson and a 7-yard pass to Itula Mili. Kicker
Rian Lindell, who missed a 21-yard field goal attempt in the first
quarter, booted a 51-yarder with 5 seconds left in the half.
But Seattle self-destructed in the third quarter.
Charlie Rogers opened the second half with an 81-yard kickoff
return, and Seattle had visions of at least tying the game. But
running back Ricky Watters fumbled on the Colts 21.
"We've not done a good job with takeaways, so that was a big
play," Colts coach Jim Mora said.
Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt kicked field goals of 23, 38 and 40
yards.
Game notes
Seahawks fans could be forgiven for being a little
distracted. Many listened on the radio to the baseball playoff game
across town between the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees. ...
Manning got his 20th win in his 38th start. ... Rogers had six
kickoff returns for 198 yards.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
Indianapolis Clubhouse
Seattle Clubhouse
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