Despite the win, Sauce Gardner’s Indianapolis Colts debut did not go as smoothly as he would have liked.
The former Jets cornerback got put in a blender by Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London on a late two-point conversion in the Colts’ 31-25 overtime victory Sunday in Berlin.
Sauce Gardner got burned by Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London on a late two-point conversion on Sunday. X / @NFL
Atlanta running back Tyler Allgeier put the Falcons up one with a go-ahead touchdown rush with less than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, prompting the team to go for two.
Lined up on the left side, London burned Gardner on an out route, putting the former Defensive Rookie of the Year on skates as he corralled the two-point conversion in front of the sideline.
London, who finished with six receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown, seemingly had an edge over Gardner all game, making the star defensive back touch earth earlier in the contest as well.
Gardner — whom the Colts acquired from the Jets for a pair of first-rounders Tuesday in a stunning trade deadline blockbuster — had six tackles (four solos) and a lone pass deflection in his Colts debut. He also dropped what should have been an interception.
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Almost as if welcoming him to the team, Gardner’s new teammates bailed him out of his two-point blunder.
NFL passing-yards leader Daniel Jones commanded a last-minute surge into field goal range, and Michael Badgley nailed a 44-yarder to send the game to overtime.
Sauce Gardner was picked up by his new Indianapolis Colts teammates during the team’s overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday morning. Getty Images
Indianapolis forced a punt in Atlanta’s opening drive in the extra period, setting up Jonathan Taylor to drive in the game-winning touchdown rush.
It was only fitting that the victory was sealed by Taylor, who erupted for a season-high 244 yards and three touchdowns — including a go-ahead, 83-yard breakaway in the fourth quarter, the NFL’s longest run of the season.
With the win, Indianapolis (8-2) continues to cement itself as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
After a bye week, the Colts head to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs on Nov. 23.