Vinatieri, Luck lead Colts past Vikings 23-20

Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts
Percy Harvin #12 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball while defended by Antoine Bethea #41 of the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 16, 2012, in Indianapolis.
Getty Images/Andy Lyons

By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Adam Vinatieri made a 53-yard field goal with 8 seconds left Sunday to give Andrew Luck and Indianapolis a 23-20 victory over Minnesota.

Luck and new Colts coach Chuck Pagano both picked up their first career victories in their home opener.

Minnesota (1-1) rallied from a two-touchdown deficit in the final 5 1/2 minutes, tying the score on a 6-yard TD pass from Christian Ponder to Kyle Rudolph with 31 seconds left.

But that was too much time for Luck, who had thrown for two touchdowns. He started with back-to-back 20-yard completions, then drew the Vikings offside before spiking the ball with 12 seconds to go. Vinatieri, the best clutch kicker in NFL history, knocked the 53-yarder through the uprights to win it.

Luck finished 20 of 31 for 224 yards.

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