FOXBORO--There was a heavy local flavor in the New England Patriots' 21-17 National Football League victory over the visiting Indianapolis Colts yesterday.

Doug Flutie's 13-yard scoring run with 23 seconds to play gave the Patriots the victory, which also snapped a three-game losing streak.

Flutie's dash wiped out what would have been a winning 48-yard touchdown catch by former Boston University receiver Bill Brooks, which had put the Colts ahead 17-14 with 2:23 to play.

Brooks, who grew up in Framingham, denied that there was any rivalry with Flutie, the former Natick High School star and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Boston College.

"He is a nice kid. I talk with him and I played with him in a high school all-star game," said Brooks, who now lives in Milton, a few miles south of Boston.

"I like going against Doug because he is a competitor, he works hard and tries to win," said Brooks, who caught two passes for 52 yards, including the scoring toss from Chris Chandler.