Lucky horseshoe for Colts

INDIANAPOLIS - A stunning gamble by Bill Belichick set up a stunning victory for Peyton Manning and the Colts.

After the New England Patriots were stopped short on fourth down deep in their own territory, Manning took advantage by throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds left that rallied the unbeaten Colts to a 35-34 victory Sunday night.

Manning's toss to Reggie Wayne completed the Colts' comeback from 17 points down. A decision by the Patriots coach put them in position for their 18th regular-season victory in a row.

Belichick went for it on fourth-and-2 from his own 28 with 2:08 to go. Tom Brady threw to Kevin Faulk, who made a juggling catch but was pushed backward and came up just short.

Manning needed just four plays before hooking up with Wayne for the winning score.

"We were preparing to go 60, 70 yards," Manning said. "It was a great play by the defense, shortened our field."

It was the most improbable victory for the Colts (9-0) in their winning streak, tied for the second-longest in NFL history with New England (6-3). It was the first time Belichick's Patriots had lost when leading by at least 13 in the fourth quarter.

Belichick had a dazed look as he ran across the field for a lightning-quick postgame handshake with Indianapolis first-year coach Jim Caldwell.

"Our guys hung in there and fought," Caldwell said.

The Colts trailed 34-21 with four minutes left and seemed all but written off -- just as they have in several other prime-time games this decade.

Manning threw four touchdown passes and Brady had three in the matchup of AFC division leaders and longtime rivals for the conference title.

While it was another magical comeback for Manning, this one was set up by Belichick's playcalling.

Belichick called two timeouts on that key series, the second to set up the fourth-down play. Faulk came up about a half-yard short of the first-down marker, giving Manning the ball at the New England 29 with 1:57 left and all three timeouts -- an eternity for the three-time MVP.

"I don't ever second-guess the coach," Brady said. "... We had a chance to go out there to make the play to win."