Sports

Colts get 1st win of Peyton-less season

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts avoided their first 0-16 season thanks to a quarterback who was trying to prevent his second.

Dan Orlovsky, who closed out the NFL’s only 0-16 season with Detroit in 2008, threw one touchdown pass and had the key block to spring an 80-yard touchdown run yesterday and lead the previously winless Colts to a 27-13 win over the Titans.

It was the franchise’s first win in 14 years without Peyton Manning, and all it took was 14 tries and three quarterbacks. Players and coaches celebrated by throwing their arms in the air, and Orlovsky got to close it out by taking the traditional kneel downs for the first time in his NFL career.

“I’m happy for a lot of people on this team, for a lot of people in this organization,” Orlovsky said. “It’s a lot better than the feeling we’ve had lately.”

The Colts (1-13) had been waiting for what seemed like an eternity, 50 weeks, since their previous win.

Orlovsky didn’t have to do too much, going 11 of 17 for 82 yards with one touchdown, but he didn’t turn the ball over. Donald Brown added a career-high 161 yards rushing, including a late 80-yard TD run for Indy.

Colts vice chairman Bill Polian announced Manning would not be back this season, though he has started throwing to his teammates.

“His rehabilitation has not come far enough to make it prudent for him to step on the field,” Polian said.

For the Titans (7-7), the loss is a devastating blow to their playoff hopes.