Colts Use Old and New Weapons to Beat the Jets

INDIANAPOLIS —  The Indianapolis Colts have found a winning formula with a seldom used weapon--the wishbone offense.

Rookie Chris Chandler and two designated wishbone quarterbacks engineered a 38-14 victory Sunday over the New York Jets.

Indianapolis began using the wishbone in certain situations 3 weeks ago. The victory was the Colts’ fourth straight, the team’s longest winning streak in 11 years.

“Obviously we’re very delighted,” Coach Ron Meyer said. “Our offense and defense complemented each other well, and Chris showed what he can do.”

Chandler, the starter, hit Clarence Verdin on a 44-yard touchdown pass play and ran 29 yards for another touchdown during a third-quarter burst that carried the Colts (5-5) to victory over the penalty-plagued Jets (5-4-1).

The Colts substituted Gary Hogeboom and then Rick Turner when the Colts went to the wishbone.

Indianapolis scored 2 of its touchdowns from the wishbone.

The Colts put the game away by scoring 3 times in the third period, taking only 8 plays for all 3 touchdowns and benefitting from 4 Jet penalties.

The Jets led, 14-10, at halftime, but a 14-yard pass to Pat Beach, a 5-yard run by Chandler and the 44-yard pass play to Verdin put Indianapolis ahead for good less than 2 minutes into the third period.

Eric Dickerson had only 58 yards in 19 carries and a touchdown.

The Jets, who got two second-quarter touchdowns on 1-yard runs by Johnny Hector.

Chandler completed 14 of 22 passes for 173 yards for the game. O’Brien was 20 of 31, also for 173, before being replaced by Pat Ryan late in the game.