Throwback Thursday: Running Wild

For whatever reason, when I started writing this article I thought the Colts were headed to Philly this weekend. Quickly, I learned my mistake. Especially considering I'm in the Washington DC area this weekend, I probably would've pounced for tickets and the drive to Philly to see the game.

Obviously, I realized my error rather quickly.

In that case, I decided to go back to the last time the Colts beat the Eagles in the regular season. Turns out, that same game is also the last time the Colts beat the Eagles in Indianapolis. So that worked out well for me.

This week, we're going back 10 years to when the Eagles came into the RCA Dome in late November of 2006.

Coming into the Sunday night game, the Colts were 10-1 with their lone loss coming a week prior in Dallas. The Eagles, on the other hand, were struggling. They were 5-5 and coming off of a blowout loss at home against Vince Young (remember him?) and the Tennessee Titans.

This game was a Sunday night showdown in Indianapolis.

The Colts got the scoring started on their first drive. Rookie running back Joseph Addai scampered into the end zone from 15 yards out to put the Colts on top 7-0. As it turned out, this was the only score in the first quarter.

Only five seconds into the second quarter, though, Addai found the end zone again, this time from 10 yards out. Now the Colts led 14-0. But Addai wasn't done. The rookie scored on another 15 yard run on the Colts next drive, extending the lead to 21-0.

With under two minutes to go in the half, the Eagles finally got on the board. Jeff Garcia led the Eagles down the field, finding L.J. Smith for a one yard score. 21-7 Colts.

But Peyton Manning wasn't done with the half. With about 1:20 left to play, Manning got the Colts into field goal range. As time expired in the first half, Adam Vinatieri buried a 44 yard kick to give the Colts a comfortable 24-7 halftime lead.

In the third quarter the Colts kept rolling. This time, it was Manning finding Reggie Wayne from 11 yards out to extend the lead to 31-7.

Garcia was able to answer, though. The backup QB led the Eagles in another long scoring drive, finding Reggie Brown on a third yard score to pull the Eagles back within 17. And at the start of the fourth quarter, Garcia did it again. The quarterback got the Eagles into the red zone and capped off the drive when Brian Westbrook ran into the end zone from six yards out. Suddenly the Colts only led by 10.

As was so common in the Manning era, though, the Colts responded. And for the fourth time, it was Addai finding the end zone in a four yard score. The score put the Colts up 17, and for Addai it tied the franchise record set by Eric Dickerson for running touchdowns in a game.

Only 13 seconds later, corner Kelvin Hayden brought an Eagles fumble back for a touchdown giving the Colts a huge 45-21 lead. This would end up being the final score of the game.

The big story of this contest was obviously Addai. The rookie was drafted to split time with Dominic Rhodes as they would combine to fill the hole left by Edgerrin James. However, for most of the season, it was Addai who emerged as the better back.

In this game, it was the running attack of the Colts that reigned supreme. Addai, to go along with his four scores, tallied 171 yards on 24 carries (a 7.1 average!) and Rhodes ran for 68 yards as well. In total, the Colts had 237 rushing yards.

Conversely, Manning finished the day 14-20 for 183 yards and a score. No that isn't a typo. The Colts used their rushing game to win against the Eagles.

Oh and a fun fact. Both teams threw one interception in the game. Manning tossed one for the Colts. For the Eagles? It was Hank Baskett. Yes. That Hank Baskett.