Vinatieri’s FG lifts Colts over Chargers

Adam Vinatieri’s 51-yard field goal lifted Indianapolis over San Diego.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — This time, Adam Vinatieri was right on from a lot farther out.

Vinatieri, one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history, made a 51-yard field goal as time expired to lift Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts to a 23-20 win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night.

He was kicking toward the same goal posts where just more than a year ago he pushed a 29-yard field-goal attempt wide right with 1:31 left, allowing the Chargers to hold on for a 23-21 win.

Manning threw two touchdown passes for the Colts (7-4), who won their fourth straight game to remain in wild-card contention.

San Diego (4-7) has lost four of five and remains two games behind division leader Denver, which was upset 31-10 by the Oakland Raiders.

Manning kept the winning drive alive with a 14-yard pass to Marvin Harrison on fourth-and-inches from the Chargers’ 48-yard line following a long officials’ review over the spot of the ball.

It was Vinatieri’s 22nd career game-winning field goal in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime. Included on that list are two last-second kicks that won Super Bowls for the New England Patriots.

It was Manning’s 35th career game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime.

The Colts went ahead 20-10 on Vinatieri’s 38-yard field goal with 11:48 left.

That kick capped a drive kept alive by pass interference calls against defensive backs Antonio Cromartie and Clinton Hart, both on third downs.

The Chargers scored 10 straight to tie it.

Philip Rivers threw a 1-yard scoring pass to rookie running back Jacob Hester and Nate Kaeding kicked a 47-yard field goal with 1:30 left.

Manning turned a turnover by Rivers into a 17-10 lead, throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Rhodes on fourth-and-goal with 38 seconds left in the third quarter.

Manning completed 32 of 44 passes for 255 yards. Rivers was 24-of-31 for 288 yards.