Sam Ehlinger completes game-winning drive in NFL debut

The former University of Texas star quarterback Sam Ehlinger engineered back-to-back critical possessions including the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter of his NFL debut with the Indianapolis Colts. Trailing 18-10 in the fourth quarter, Ehlinger led a 75-yard touchdown drive with a successful two-point conversion. After receiving the ball back with the score tied at 18, Ehlinger led another 66-yard drive resulting in a game-winning field goal as the Colts defeated the Carolina Panthers 21-18.

Sam Ehlinger game winning drives

The Panthers scored a field goal early in the fourth quarter that put the Colts down 18-10 when Ehlinger’s first drive of the quarter began. After a failed run attempt to start the drive, Ehlinger immediately delivered on a 47-yard completion to fellow rookie and former Texas teammate Tarik Black. Shortly after, Ehlinger completed another 25-yard pass that brought the Colts to the one-yard line. The Colts completed the drive with a rushing touchdown and attempted the two-point conversion. Ehlinger himself ran it into the endzone, tying the game at 18-18.

After the Panthers punted the ball back to his team, Ehlinger took the field looking to take the lead. After collecting a number of first downs, the drive had the potential to stall just outside of field goal range. Ehlinger scrambled on a passing play for 11 yards to keep the drive alive going into the final two minutes, his third rushing gain of the drive.

Sam Ehlinger is making magic on 3rd down 🤘

pic.twitter.com/XU7OkvnWys

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 15, 2021

The Colts would kneel the ball to run the clock down, setting up the game-winning field goal by kicker Eddy Pineiro with seven seconds left in the game.

Competing for a starting job

Ehlinger’s preseason debut was a massive boost to his campaign for the starting quarterback job in Indianapolis. He is currently competing for the backup job with Jacob Eason as the Colts await the return of veteran quarterback Carson Wentz from injury. Going into the first game of preseason, Wentz is scheduled to be back in the starting role before the NFL season begins.

Chandler Vessels of On3 Sports detailed the quarterback situation between Ehlinger and Eason prior to the first preseason game.

Ehlinger and Eason have been splitting reps with the first team and continued to do so at Thursday’s joint practice with the Carolina Panthers.

“I’m just trying to always have a plan at the line of scrimmage,” Ehlinger told Yahoo Sports. “I’ve just been focusing so much on anticipating and getting my timing square. That’s what all the film study and prep is for.”

If he wins out, it could mean extended time as the starter. Wentz has an injury-prone history, and even once he returns there is always the fear that will will go out again. For now, Ehlinger doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. He said he is focused on the battle at hand and hopes he can come out on top in the end.

“We’re just trying to make each other better,” Ehlinger said of himself and Eason. “We want to make it a tough call [for the coaches].”

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