CHARLOTTE, NC – Indianapolis rallied from 17 points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime, then went ahead in the extra period, only to see a pair of Graham Gano field goals sandwiched around a big defensive play give the Carolina Panthers a 29-26 win on Monday night.
The Panthers led 23-6 after Cam Newton’s touchdown pass to Corey Brown, but Andrew Luck responded with scoring throws to Andre Johnson and Coby Fleener before Adam Vinatieri came on to hit a 24-yard field goalas time expired to force OT.
Vinatieri stuck from 50 yards on the first possession of the extra frame to put Indianapolis ahead, but Gano answered with a 42-yarder of his own on the next possession. When the Colts got the ball back, Roman Harper deflected a pass into the arms of Luke Kuechly for a big interception. Gano hit the winner from 52 yards out just four plays later.
With the victory, Carolina improved to 7-0 and remains one of four unbeaten teams. Indianapolis fell to 3-5 but still owns a share of first place in the AFC South.
Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason called the action on Westwood One.
