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Vinatieri: From Boos To Winning FG

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The Associated Press

Published: November 19, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS - Adam Vinatieri eventually found redemption Sunday.

Booed by the Indianapolis crowd after missing his first two field goals against Kansas City and the subject of criticism all week after missing a chip shot that would have beaten San Diego a week earlier, the NFL's best clutch kicker showed everyone how he earned his title.

Vinatieri made a 24-yard field goal with 4 seconds left Sunday, giving the Colts a badly needed 13-10 victory against the Chiefs.

"Every time you're out there, if something bad happens, you've got to be able to shrug it off and go back out there and forget about it if you can," Vinatieri said. "Don't let it linger longer than you have to."

The win ended Indy's two-game losing streak and kept the Colts (8-2) atop the AFC South.

Kansas City (4-6) lost its third straight game in Brodie Croyle's first career start.

For Vinatieri, it was a rollercoaster day.

He was booed mildly when he tried a 49-yard field goal, a chorus that grew louder when he missed it to the right. The boo-birds were even louder after Vinatieri pulled a 38-yarder wide left.

But when the Colts needed Vinatieri, he looked like his old self. He connected on a 27-yarder just before halftime, which drew mocking cheers, and then brought the crowd to its feet after Peyton Manning kneeled down three times to set up the winner.

It was another atypical game from the Colts' usually proficient air show.

Manning spent 3 1/2 quarters trying to find something that would work against the Chiefs defense and wound up struggling with a recast lineup that is decimated by injuries.

He finished 16 of 32 for 163 yards with one interception.

KC-FG Rayner 47, 8:55.

Ind-FG Vinatieri 27, 1:18.

Third Quarter

Ind-Addai 3 run (Vinatieri kick), 7:17.

KC-Bowe 19 pass from Croyle (Rayner kick), 1:22.
Fourth Quarter
Ind-FG Vinatieri 24, :03.

A-57,294

RUSHING-Kansas City, Holmes 19-55, K.Smith 8-17. Indianapolis, Addai 21-72, Manning 4-(minus 3), Keith 2-(minus 3).

PASSING-Kansas City, Croyle 19-27-0-169. Indianapolis, Manning 16-32-1-163.

RECEIVING-Kansas City, Bowe 7-64, Gonzalez 4-46, K.Smith 3-34, Wilson 2-10, Webb 1-5, Kennison 1-4, Holmes 1-1, Parker 0-5. Indianapolis, Wayne 4-75, Addai 4-34, Utecht 3-26, Clark 3-15, Keith 1-7, Thorpe 1-6.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-Kansas City, Rayner 43 (WR), 45 (WL). Indianapolis, Vinatieri 49 (WL), 38 (WL).

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