FOXBORO, Mass., Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Tom Brady threw for 335 yards and three touchdowns Thursday night and New England held on to defeat Indianapolis in the NFL opener, 27-24.
Mike Vanderjagt finished a frustrating night for Indianapolis by missing a field goal try from 48 yards that would have tied the game with 18 seconds remaining.
In addition, Indianapolis running back Edgerrin James fumbled the ball away at the New England 18-yard line during the third quarter and lost it at the Patriots' one with 3:43 left in the game.
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was also intercepted at the New England one in the first period.
Brady began New England's defense of its Super Bowl title by throwing touchdown passes of 16 yards to Deion Brach in the second period, 25 yards to David Patten in the third and eight yards to Daniel Graham in the third.
Manning was 16 of 29 for 256 yards and two touchdowns while James picked up 142 yards on 30 carries.
New England won for the 28th straight time when opening the fourth period with the lead.
