Colts lead Ravens 12-6 behind Vinatieri

Adam Vinatieri set an NFL postseason record with his 33rd career field goal Saturday, his fourth of the game, and the Indianapolis Colts led the Baltimore Ravens 12-6 in the fourth quarter of their AFC divisional playoff game.

Vinatieri broke the record held by Gary Anderson, who kicked 32 field goals in 22 games. Vinatieri has played in 19 games for New England and Indianapolis. He kicked three field goals last week against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Vinatieri connected on kicks of 23, 42 and 51 yards in the first half, then broke the mark on a 48-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Ravens kicker Matt Stover narrowed the Colts' lead with a field goal early in the fourth quarter.

The Ravens trailed the entire first half but threatened to go ahead in the middle of the second quarter, driving to the Indianapolis 4 after picking off a pass by Peyton Manning. But Steve McNair was intercepted at the 1 on third and goal, and the Colts kept the lead.

After the Ravens went three-and-out in the game's first series, the Colts' drive stalled at the Baltimore 5. Vinatieri then split the uprights from 23 yards out.

The Ravens' second series was even worse, with a fumble by tight end Todd Heap at their own 31. But the Colts failed to gain a first down, leaving the reliable Vinatieri with a field goal try from 42.

Baltimore finally got on the board with a 40-yard field goal by Stover as the second quarter began.

The winner plays either the San Diego Chargers or the New England Patriots next weekend.

Cal Ripken, the Baltimore Orioles legend recently elected to the Hall of Fame, participated in the opening coin toss.

The game held added significance for Baltimore fans because it was nearly 23 years ago when owner Robert Irsay packed the team's equipment into a convoy of Mayflower vans and whisked the Colts out of town to Indianapolis.

Baltimore went 12 years without an NFL team until the Ravens were born from the transplanted Cleveland Browns. Even though the city has its own team now, the sense of betrayal felt by the departure of the Colts has not waned.