Tuesday 6 December 2016 08:28, UK
Dwayne Allen scored three touchdowns as the Indianapolis Colts beat the New York Jets 41-10 on the road. Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was benched for the second half and Bryce Petty threw a 40-yard touchdown pass, but it wasn't enough as New York were outplayed all night.
In 140 Characters...
Colts blowout win keeps AFC South title race wide open. Andrew Luck threw four touchdown passes - three to Allen, as the Jets look lost at quarterback.
MVP
Luck was back to his best tonight - literally his career best. He had a passer rating of a 147.6, despite sitting out of the fourth quarter, which is the best of his five-year career. He had a completion percentage of almost 80% (78.6), too.
Game-changer
Less of a game-changer, more of a career-ender? The Jets benched Fitzpatrick to start the second half, and it looks as though the quarterback's time is up in New York. After setting franchise records for touchdowns last year, it has been a tough season for Fitzpatrick, who is second in interceptions thrown (14).
Stat of the night
1975 - This is the first time in more than 40 years that the Jets have had three successive home games, and lost them all.
The game
The Colts opened the scoring on their first drive of the night, Luck completing a seven-yard pass to a wide open Allen on the left side. With room to turn, the tight end was able to walk into the end zone without any pressure.
Allen added a similar touchdown on their next drive, this time from 21 yards. The Jets secondary struggled in coverage all night, unable to keep hold of Allen or T.Y Hilton, who routinely found space to catch.
The teams exchanged field goals to start the second quarter, but it was the visitors who added to their lead with Allen's third touchdown of the night.
Led by running back Frank Gore, who passed Tony Dorsett to eighth in the league's all-time rushing leaders, the Colts pushed downfield before Luck found Allen in tight coverage.
Despite pressure from linebacker Darron Lee, Allen came down with the ball, falling into the end zone to put the Colts 24-3 ahead.
Fitzpatrick's night was over soon after, as the veteran quarterback threw an interception to Darius Butler. The Colts could not capitalise, however, as the Jets recovered a Jack Doyle fumble in the end zone two plays later.
Indianapolis furthered their lead early in the second half, as Luck led his team 75 yards in 11 plays, finishing with a three-yard pass to Donte Moncrief in the centre of the end zone.
Petty started the second half but things did not get any better for the home side. He should have had a 50-yard pass on his first drive, but rookie wide receiver Robby Anderson could not cling on to the ball under pressure.
It did not improve for either player on the Jets' next drive, as Petty threw deep downfield once more, but the pass was long and picked off by Mike Adams, who returned the ball 56 yards to set up the Colts' fifth touchdown of the night.
From the six-yard line, running back Robert Turbin ran to the outside before diving for the pylon and into the end zone.
Petty did show a glimpse of his ability early in the fourth quarter, connecting with Anderson downfield for a 40-yard touchdown pass. However, it was too late for the Jets, with the scoreline far beyond them.
The result is an important one for the 6-6 Colts, who draw level with both the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans in the AFC South. Indianapolis face Houston at home in week 14, and could take a divisional lead.
With the season over in terms of play-off potential, Jets head coach Todd Bowles has a decision to make regarding his quarterback situation. With Fitzpatrick all but done in New York, Bowles must look to give Petty enough reps to determine whether he can compete for a starting job next year.
Rookie Christian Hackenberg is yet to see regular season action, but may feature in the final four games, as the organisation seeks to establish whether a new quarterback - Tony Romo or another draft prospect - is required for 2017.
