LANDOVER, Md., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Peyton Manning nearly led a furious second-half comeback, but once again fell short against a Steve Spurrier-coached team Sunday night as the Washington Redskins posted a 26-21 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
As a collegian at Tennessee, Manning lost all three of his starts against Spurrier's Florida Gators. He got his first crack at Spurrier in the professional ranks in this one.
Manning and the Colts were lethargic for the first three quarters before the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback came alive in the final period, throwing two touchdown passes to pull Indianapolis within 23-21.
After Manning's 23-yard scoring toss to running back Ricky Williams with 6:46 left narrowed the deficit to two, the Colts missed an opportunity to tie it when cornerback Fred Smoot knocked away Manning's conversion pass.
With running back Stephen Davis on the sidelines with a sprained right knee, the Redskins all but sealed the victory behind backup Kenny Watson, who carried 10 times for 42 yards on a 13-play, 66-yard drive. James Tuthill capped the drive with a 22-yard field goal with 18 seconds remaining.
In his return to the starting lineup, Shane Matthews passed for two touchdowns for the Redskins (3-4), who avoided their third straight loss.
Manning finished with two touchdown passes, ran for a score, but threw two interceptions. Indianapolis (4-3) suffered its second straight loss.
