Captain Comeback meets his match in Buffalo

CAPTAIN Comeback and the Indianapolis Colts struck a reef in Buffalo, sinking to their first defeat of the season in an overtime thriller.

Jim Harhaugh earned the nickname of Captain Comeback for his knack of snatching victory in close games during the past two years with the Colts. Edged out of a Super Bowl appearance by the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, the Colts started strongly this year, winning their first four games. They came to Orchard Park, the only unbeaten team in the NFL, to face a Bills team deprived of Jim Kelly, for the second week running with a pulled hamstring.

But Harhaugh was overshadowed by Todd Collins, who played with admirable poise in a game that ran three hours 57 minutes before the Bills triumphed 16-13. The durable Bills did a superb job of shutting down Harhaugh and Marshall Faulk the Colts' running back. The Bills' defence stifled the Colts in the first half, sacking Harbaugh six times. Bruce Smith, the Bills' defensive end played particularly well, proving too much of a handful for the Colts assigned to block him.

Even more heartening for the Bills was the performance of Collins, only in his second year as quarterback. He now has earned wins over two of the NFL's best teams, the Colts and the Cowboys. With Kelly in his twilight years, Collins, should have a bright future in Buffalo, if they hang on to him.

Collins showed his coolness under fire in the last minutes of regular play. Buffalo got the ball at its 23 with 1:51 to play. The quarterback marched his team steadily into Colts territory, throwing two key passes that kept the drive alive. The first came, when he managed to uncock a 21 yarder to Quinn Early on third and 11, from behind a pile of players about to land on top of him. The second was a 24 yard pass to Eric Moulds that took the Bills to the Colts' 19. A 37 yard field goal from Steve Christie tied the game 13-13 and put the game in overtime.

On the game winning drive, Collins again delivered on a crucial third down play, finding Andre Reed for an 11 yard gain. That moved the hall to the Colts' 33. A 10 yard run from Derrick Holmes set up another field goal for Christie, who was hoisted aloft by his jubilant teammates.

Harhaugh looked good in the Colts' one touchdown drive, zipping 41 and 21 yard passes to Marvin Harrison and Ken Dilger. But he spent most of the afternoon trying to avoid the rampant Smith and his colleagues.

The San Francisco 49ers go into next Sunday's rematch with the Green Bay Packers with a confidence boosting 28-11 heating of the St Louis Rams. Elvis Grbac, standing in for Steve Young, threw an exceptional pass to Jerry Rice for a 31 yard touchdown, a ball that curled into Rice's grasp over a Rams defender. The 49ers lost to Green Bay in the NFC title game last season and will he seeking to make amends. But it will be tough. Brett Favre is the league's best quarterback and he threw four touchdowns as the Packers crushed the Chicago Bears 37-6.