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The Indianapolis Colts are a legitimately good team that might finish this season with 10 wins and a berth in the playoffs. And the Giants, as awful as they've been all year, took them to the wire. They were one drive -- maybe one pass -- away from winning this game.

Instead they lost 28-27, leaving them with nothing but a moral victory. And while it was another sign that they've improved since their miserable first half of the season, they're still 4-3 since their 1-7 start.

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Eli Manning had a chance for some late-game magic, when he had 55 seconds to play, and all he had to do was get the Giants into field-goal range. Instead, he threw a game-sealing interception on an ill-advised pass over the middle.

But don't blame this 28-27 loss in Indianapolis on him.

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The Jets figure to make a huge offseason push for the second consecutive year to try to sign the biggest star on the free agent market.

But for the second consecutive year, it looks like that player may not want to sign with them.

Running back Le'Veon Bell, who is expected to become a free agent on March 13, "has his eyes on" the Indianapolis Colts, according to a source familiar with Bell's plans. The source, who has spoken to Bell, said the free agent hasn't ruled out signing with the Jets or any team that pursues him, but the Colts, with quarterback Andrew Luck and perhaps more than $120 million in salary cap room, seem to be at the "top of his list."

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THE GAME 

The Giants (5-9) at the Indianapolis Colts (8-6) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m. ET.

THE WEATHER

There'll be some early snow showers turning into afternoon rain, and none of it will matter because they play in a dome.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Giants gave a good fight to bounce back from 1-7 and keep their miracle hopes alive into December. But with that out of the way, it'll be very interesting to see what happens next. There is no meaning in this game, other than Pat Shurmur's desire to re-teach the Giants how to win. It does not appear as if he'll start taking longer looks at young players, particularly rookie quarterback Kyle Lauletta. That makes this game just a way for them to sadly play out the string.

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The presence of all those Super Bowl III heroes on Sunday wasn't just a celebration of the Jets' greatest achievement, it was a painful reminder of why it's so hard to believe in this year's team. There have been too many years of heartache, too many seasons of disappointment, too many times the rug was pulled out from under everyone's feet.

So when these Jets beat the Indianapolis Colts 42-34 on Sunday, barely hanging on in the end, there were surely a few skeptics who saw the team's obvious flaws. And when Todd Bowles stepped to the podium and said "We're right back in the thick of these things," it's understandable if everyone rolled his or her eyes.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

THE GAME 

The Indianapolis Colts (1-4) at the Jets (2-3) at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. ET.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

THE GAME

The Jets (2-3) vs. the Indianapolis Colts (1-4) at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m. ET.

THE WEATHER

TK

WHAT IT MEANS

TK

Ralph Vacchiano, SNY

The clock is winding down on Eli Manning's career, though no one knows how quickly. It's probably safe to assume that Manning doesn't have more than three seasons left as the starting quarterback of the New York Giants. Maybe.

But even if that's true, that still doesn't mean the Giants have to start looking for his replacement. At least not right now.

The New York Jets have held a moment of silence before their game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium to honor former running back Joe McKnight, killed last Thursday in Louisiana.

Authorities said McKnight, 28, was shot during a road rage incident that was possibly sparked by a driver cutting off another on a nearby bridge in Terrytown, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. The shooter was identified by police as Ronald Gasser, 54, and he was released overnight, drawing criticism.

McKnight was rated the nation's No. 1 running back recruit when he came out of Louisiana in 2006 and signed with the University of Southern California. He was a fourth-round draft pick of the Jets in 2010 and played three seasons for New York. He spent a season with Kansas City, and most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Andrew Luck was nearly perfect in his return from a concussion, throwing for four touchdowns, three to Dwayne Allen, in the Indianapolis Colts' 41-10 romp Monday night past the inept New York Jets.

Not that Luck had to work very hard against the hosts, who were booed by a much-less-than-filled MetLife Stadium almost from the outset.

Luck missed last week's loss to Pittsburgh, cleared the NFL's concussion protocol on the weekend, and came back in style with a prime-time performance. He lifted Indianapolis (6-6) into a tie for the lead in the AFC South with Tennessee and Houston.

New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles benched starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in favor of backup Bryce Petty for the second half of Monday's game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium.

Fitzpatrick completed 5 of 12 passes for 81 yards with an interception and a 30.2 passer rating as the Jets trailed 24-3 at halftime.

Petty is making his first game appearance since Week 10, a 9-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in which he went 19-for-32 with 163 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Bent, theJetsBlog.com Follow on Twitter

During the season, Bent's Game Analysis charts games for some of the New York Jets' upcoming opponents, enabling a breakdown of what to watch out for on game day…

This week's Monday Night Football will see the Jets hosting the 5-6 Indianapolis Colts. Despite having endured a disappointing year so far, the Colts were just one game out of first place in the AFC South entering this weekend. The Colts have lost three of their last four games, albeit to three potential playoff teams in Green Bay, Kansas City and Pittsburgh. The teams met early last year with the Jets defeating the Colts 20-7, again on Monday Night Football, in one of the best performances of the Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan era.

Jets head coach Todd Bowles spoke to the media following Wednesday's practice. Here is what we learned...

• It's still uncertain whether or not injured center Nick Mangold will play on Monday night against the Colts. 
• With lack of creating turnovers, the team has been working hard in practice to get them. "We [are] trying everything we can to get them," Bowles said. "It's just not falling our way right now." 
• WR Devin Smith has returned to practice and has no restrictions on what he can do. So far, according to Bowles, Smith is almost caught up with the offense.

The Giants (3-4) try to get back on the winning track tonight when they face the Indianapolis Colts (5-3) and the league's top offense on Monday Night Football.

Kickoff: 8:30pm Eastern

The Giants host the powerful Indianapolis Colts this coming Monday in a game both teams need to win to stay afloat in their respective division races.

Indianapolis is 5-3 and are currently one game ahead of the 4-4 Houston Texans in the AFC South. The Giants are 3-4 and are in third place looking up at the 6-2 Dallas Cowboys and 5-2 Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East.

The Giants have had recent success this past decade because they brought in some extraordinary players with skill, heart and toughness. RB Ahmad Bradshaw and WR Hakeem Nicks were two of those players.

This coming Monday they will be at MetLife Stadium again, but on the opposing sidelines with their new team, the Indianapolis Colts. Most of the football-watching public are well aware that these ex-Giant veterans are experiencing a second chapter of their careers alongside the NFL's newest superstar, QB Andrew Luck.

As per Rotoworld,?the deal is a one-year, $1.1 million contract. Includes a $250,000 signing bonus, and up to $650,000 in per-game roster bonuses.

Bradshaw, who has been traditionally hampered by foot problems since entering the league with the Giants in 2007, was cleared by doctors in late April but has had few suitors. Pittsburgh and Green Bay were said to be interested at one time, but cooled.

It took nearly three months, but it's looking like former Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw finally found a new backfield to star in.

NFL.com reporter Kimberly Jones cites a source close to negotiations as saying it "looks like the Colts and Bradshaw are going to get a contract done," quite the steal considering he is only 27 years-old, and is coming off a 1,000-yard season for the G-Men.

Say what you will if you?re a critic of New York Giants? quarterback Eli Manning.

It?s all been said countless times before? Manning doesn?t exude the same type of on-field leadership skills as his brother, Indianapolis Colts? quarterback Peyton Manning. And, he simply hasn?t had, nor will he seemingly ever possess the overall quarterback skills of Peyton.

Why do so many teams with the lesser talent score a ton of points and close out teams when the opportunity presents itself.

The answer:? Kevin "KILL-DRIVE" Gilbride.

24-Hour News 8 in Indianapolis has discovered the fan that caught Giants running back Brandon Jacobs' helmet Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. His name is Jeff Lasiter.

The Giants could not be any flatter in Indianapolis tonight, letting the pass-happy Colts run them right out of Lucas Oil Field with - get this - their running game!

The Colts held the ball for 19:10 and have simply had their way with Perry Fewell's "bend but don't break" defense. It bent and it broke.

Giants

OUT: LB Chase Blackburn (knee), LB Phillip Dillard (hamstring), OT Will Beatty (foot), TE Kevin Boss (concussion)

QUESTIONABLE: DE Osi Umenyiora (knee), WR Hakeem Nicks (ankle)

We will have up to date info, interviews, stats and other goodies for all who tune in....

New York Giants (1-0) at Indianapolis Colts (0-1)Sunday September 19, 2010 8:20 PM - Lucas Oil Stadium

Media Information

That statement should say it all.? The Giants are on the road on national television, which always spells trouble. Especially after an emotional home victory.

The Colts lost last week to Houston in embarrassing fashion, allowing an unknown rookie to register the? biggest season debut since O.J. Simpson.? They are looking to rebound.

Giants-Colts Thursday Injuries

Giants

Did Not Practice Thursday: LB Chase Blackburn (knee), LB Phillip Dillard (hamstring), CB Bruce Johnson (knee), WR Hakeem Nicks (ankle)

Limited In Practice Thursday: C Shaun O'Hara (ankle,?achilles)

Q: Obviously an easy way to beat them is to stop Peyton Manning. Defense is one thing; maybe a better way is to just keep him off the field?A: That would help, that would certainly help. The amazing thing about last week is even though the Houston team held the ball in the second half ? did a nice job that way ? he still threw for well over 400 yards and 70% completions ? and didn't throw an interception on 57 passes. So that is certainly part of the deal. You like to see, as you look back over, exactly how much time of possession other people have. However, they were 14-2 a year ago and were the lowest - the 32nd team in the League in time of possession.

Q: Do you tell your guys to not get involved in this "Manning Bowl" business?A: I don't think we have to talk about that. We really don't. Because the way I look at it, it is two exceptional quarterbacks who are trying to get their team in position to play against another very good football team in the case of the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Giants. And I'm sure the two brothers will maybe talk Friday night, maybe, and then after the game. But they are competitive and that is all that matters.

Since 1978, exactly 224 teams have [started the season 0-2], and only 26 of those teams were able to climb out of that hole and make the playoffs. Only 11.6 percent of teams that have started a 16-game NFL season 0-2 have played a meaningful game in January.

Of course, the other way to look at it is that the Colts showed some vulnerability in their opener. They allowed Texans' running back Arian Foster to run for 231 yards and three touchdowns in?the 34-24 loss. On paper, that bodes well for Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.

It is a media festival this week as two of the league's most popular players - the Brothers Manning - face off in front of the whole world on prime time television (I smell a ratings winner...).? NBC executives are doing cartwheels down 6th avenue....

Not much football yesterday, but lots of talk.? The Giants practiced but did so without several players.

Jim Sorgi can?t help the Giants win any games this season, but he sure could play a vital role in helping them survive their next big challenge.

Since he was Peyton Manning?s backup in Indianapolis for six years before coming to the Giants to be Eli Manning?s understudy, Sorgi has some idea what the G-Men need to do to win the second Manning vs. Manning Bowl that comes up Sunday night....

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