The Colts overcome the Cardinals and remain in contention for the AFC Southern title.

The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Arizona Cardinals 22-16 on Saturday to clinch the South American Conference championship in Week 16 of the NFL.

The Colts, 9-6 and second in their division, are chasing the Titans, 10-5 and division leaders, to make the playoffs as divisional winners.

The Cardinals (10-5) suffered their third defeat last week, losing to the last-place NFC Lions (2-11-1).

Furthermore, they opened the door for the Rams, who are 10-4, to match their record atop the NFC West if they beat the Vikings on Sunday.

 

Indianapolis struggled as a result of all five offensive line absences. He couldn’t rely on his linemen Eric Fisher, centre Ryan Kelly, or guards Quenton Nelson, Mark Glowinski, and Chris Reed because to injuries and positives for COVID-19.

 

Despite the foregoing, Jonathan Taylor, a 2022 Pro Bowl selection and league leader in running yards, put the Colts into the opponent’s 20-yard line on his first possession.

 

With a Carson Wentz pass to Tyron Hilton, the field position was converted into a touchdown for a 7-0 advantage.

 

Arizona quickly replied with a 57-yard run by QB Kyler Murray, his longest of the season, which two plays later produced a 7-6 ground touchdown by Chase Edmons.

Arizona was within 10 yards of their field in the second quarter when the ball escaped to Murray on a poor cross.

The passer retrieved it in his diagonals and delivered an illegal throw when he got to an area without receivers, costing him two points when the play was called safe and leaving the scoreboard at 9-6.

 

Thanks to a field goal, Indianapolis led 12-6 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Antoine Weley scored his first touchdown of the season after catching a Murray pass, but the Colts reclaimed the lead, 15-13, on their following play with a field goal.

Arizona kicker Matt Prater, who had missed an extra point in the first quarter, missed his second field goal of the game in the fourth quarter.

 

The Colts’ offence, energised by Taylor’s 108-yard run, returned to the end zone with Wentz’s second touchdown throw, this time to Dezmon Patmon, increasing the score to 22-13.

Arizona narrowed the gap on their final offensive possession to make the score 22-16 in favour of the visiting team.