The Carolina Panthers have staved off a comeback from the Indianapolis Colts to record a 29-26 overtime victory at Bank of America Stadium and remain unbeaten in the 2015 season.
An early fumble from Jonotthan Harrison and an interception from Andrew Luck allowed the Panthers to take a 10-0 lead in the first quarter as Jonathan Stewart found the endzone with a three-yard run, and Graham Gano kicked a 39-yard field goal.
The Colts came back into the match in the second quarter as Adam Vinatieri sent two field goals through the posts to bring his team within four points at the break.
Carolina edged ahead when Cam Newton completed a series of passes downfield before he fired to Greg Olsen in the endzone for a 27-yard touchdown.
Luck tried to rally his side, but he committed his second interception as he was picked off by Kurt Coleman, and Newton notched his second touchdown throw of the game by firing to Corey Brown to put the Panthers up by 17 early in the fourth.
However, the Colts came back as Luck connected with Andre Johnson for an 18-yard score with a back-shoulder throw to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.
Indianapolis pulled within three points when Luck scored his second touchdown by drilling the ball to Coby Fleener in the endzone, and they sent the game to overtime when Vinatieri sent a 24-yard kick through the posts at the end of regulation.
Vinatieri and Gano exchanged field goals at the start of overtime to take the game to sudden death. However, Luck was intercepted for the third time in the match as he was picked off by Luke Kuechly, which allowed Gano to make the game-winning kick from 52 yards.
Simon Sinclair
