Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2001 Week 14 Recap

Game story

In Week 14 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-12-16, the Indianapolis Colts took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 41–27 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 42 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +4.31 total EPA.

On the individual side, P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.47 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-7.0% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (3:44) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 88-M.Harrison INTERCEPTED by 33-A.Ambrose at ATL 16. 33-A.Ambrose to ATL 43 for 27 yards (18-P.Manning).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 P. Manning · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +11.47 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Insley · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +6.80 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.27 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Rhodes · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +6.69 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Mohr · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +5.46 total EPA · 1 snaps · +5.46 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Christian · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.29 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Martin · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.13 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Pollard · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +4.68 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Chandler · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +4.31 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Indianapolis Colts — D. Rhodes (Q1 54:40)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Pollard (P. Manning pass) (Q2 40:54)
• Atlanta Falcons — B. Christian (Q2 37:59)
• Indianapolis Colts — K. Dilger (P. Manning pass) (Q2 35:11)
• Atlanta Falcons — B. Finneran (C. Chandler pass) (Q2 31:12)
• Indianapolis Colts — T. Insley (P. Manning pass) (Q2 30:25)
• Indianapolis Colts — D. Rhodes (Q4 11:12)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Martin (C. Chandler pass) (Q4 9:36)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q3 22:09)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q4 13:36)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Vanderjagt (Q4 7:34)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Vanderjagt (Q4 1:54)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the ATL 11 (Q1 54:40) — (9:40) 33-D.Rhodes right end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 54:35) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 21–21. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q2 40:54) — (10:54) 18-P.Manning pass to 81-M.Pollard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 40:50) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the IND 3 (Q2 37:59) — (7:59) 44-B.Christian left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 37:53) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the ATL 12 (Q2 35:11) — (5:11) 18-P.Manning pass to 85-K.Dilger for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 35:06) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the IND 18 (Q2 31:12) — (1:12) 12-C.Chandler pass to 86-B.Finneran for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 31:05) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone (Q2 30:51) — Timeout #2 by ATL at 00:51.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the ATL 19 (Q2 30:25) — (:25) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 83-T.Insley for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 30:19) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the IND 17 (Q3 22:09) — (7:09) 4-J.Feely 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

The fourth quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 13–10. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the IND 15 (Q4 13:36) — (13:36) 4-J.Feely 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the ATL 11 (Q4 11:12) — (11:12) 33-D.Rhodes left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 11:06) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the IND 11 (Q4 9:36) — (9:36) 12-C.Chandler pass to 80-T.Martin for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-80-T.Martin, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q4 9:32) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the ATL 21 (Q4 7:34) — (7:34) 13-M.Vanderjagt 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the ATL 4 (Q4 1:54) — (1:54) 13-M.Vanderjagt 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 18:44) — (3:44) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 88-M.Harrison INTERCEPTED by 33-A.Ambrose at ATL 16. 33-A.Ambrose to ATL 43 for 27 yards (18-P.Manning). [WPA -7.0% · EPA -5.63]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 27:58) — (12:58) (Punt formation) 13-C.Mohr pass to 44-B.Christian to IND 27 for 42 yards (34-J.Doering). [WPA +6.7% · EPA +5.46]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 39:30) — (9:30) (Shotgun) 12-C.Chandler pass to 80-T.Martin to IND 23 for 16 yards (25-N.Harper). [WPA +6.7% · EPA +2.79]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 55:52) — (10:52) 18-P.Manning pass to 87-R.Wayne to ATL 26 for 24 yards (23-R.Bradford). [WPA +6.6% · EPA +1.44]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 37:44) — (7:44) 18-P.Manning pass to 81-M.Pollard to ATL 41 for 36 yards (33-A.Ambrose). [WPA +6.4% · EPA +1.99]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 18:44) — (3:44) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 88-M.Harrison INTERCEPTED by 33-A.Ambrose at ATL 16. 33-A.Ambrose to ATL 43 for 27 yards (18-P.Manning). [WPA -7.0% · EPA -5.63]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 27:58) — (12:58) (Punt formation) 13-C.Mohr pass to 44-B.Christian to IND 27 for 42 yards (34-J.Doering). [WPA +6.7% · EPA +5.46]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 30:25) — (:25) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 83-T.Insley for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +3.1% · EPA +3.92]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 26:06) — (11:06) 43-M.Smith up the middle to IND 18 for no gain (37-C.Cota, 92-C.Bratzke). [WPA -4.6% · EPA -3.78]

Quarterback report card

C.Chandler led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) · 47 dropbacks · 48.9% completion · +0.09 EPA/play · +4.31 total EPA
• P.Manning (Indianapolis Colts) · 35 dropbacks · 65.7% completion · +0.33 EPA/play · +11.47 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Indianapolis Colts held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs +0.09), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, +8.17 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Indianapolis Colts: 13 drives, +19.95 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Indianapolis Colts leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 54:40 · ATL 11 · Score 0-6
   (9:40) 33-D.Rhodes right end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 54:35 · ATL 2 · Score 0-7
   13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
3. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 40:54 · ATL 1 · Score 0-13
   (10:54) 18-P.Manning pass to 81-M.Pollard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 40:50 · ATL 2 · Score 0-14
   13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 37:59 · IND 3 · Score 6-14
   (7:59) 44-B.Christian left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 37:53 · IND 2 · Score 7-14
   4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
7. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 35:11 · ATL 12 · Score 7-20
   (5:11) 18-P.Manning pass to 85-K.Dilger for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 35:06 · ATL 2 · Score 7-21
   13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
9. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 31:12 · IND 18 · Score 13-21
   (1:12) 12-C.Chandler pass to 86-B.Finneran for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 31:05 · IND 2 · Score 14-21
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+7) — Q2 30:51 · Score 14-21
    Timeout #2 by ATL at 00:51.
12. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 30:25 · ATL 19 · Score 14-27
    (:25) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 83-T.Insley for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 30:19 · ATL 2 · Score 14-28
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
14. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 22:09 · IND 17 · Score 17-28
    (7:09) 4-J.Feely 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
15. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 13:36 · IND 15 · Score 20-28
    (13:36) 4-J.Feely 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
16. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 11:12 · ATL 11 · Score 20-34
    (11:12) 33-D.Rhodes left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 11:06 · ATL 2 · Score 20-35
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
18. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 9:36 · IND 11 · Score 26-35
    (9:36) 12-C.Chandler pass to 80-T.Martin for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-80-T.Martin, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
19. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 9:32 · IND 2 · Score 27-35
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
20. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q4 7:34 · ATL 21 · Score 27-38
    (7:34) 13-M.Vanderjagt 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
21. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q4 1:54 · ATL 4 · Score 27-41
    (1:54) 13-M.Vanderjagt 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.