INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Willie McGinest tackled Edgerrin James for a one-yard loss on a fourth-down play to cap a goal-line stand Sunday as New England edged Indianapolis, 38-34.
The Patriots (10-2) held on in the battle of first-place teams. They extended their winning streak to eight games and remained two games ahead of Miami in the AFC East.
Those two teams meet next week at Foxboro.
The loss dropped Indianapolis (9-3) out of a first-place tie in the AFC South with Tennessee (9-2), which plays the New York Jets night. The Colts play at Tennessee next week.
Tom Brady hit Deion Branch with a 13-yard touchdown pass, giving the Patriots a 38-31 lead with 8:36 remaining.
Peyton Manning led the Colts to a 1st-and-goal at the New England 2 last in the contest before McGinest's heroics.
