Indianapolis Colts 12 vs 9 Denver Broncos summary: stats, and highlights | NFL Week 5
The Indianapolis Colts needed overtime to take their first lead of the night against the Denver Broncos, but once they got the lead they did not give it up. Chase McLaughlin was the hero for the Colts hitting all four of his field goals in the 12-9 win.
Wilson and Ryan era off to slow start
It was a battle of veteran quarterbacks still looking to get their offense going after a sluggish start to the new era for both Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan. The Broncos and the Colts came into the game as two of the three lowest scoring teams in the league and lets just say those stats were not improved upon on Thursday night.
The Broncos defensive unit is among the best in the league over the first four games of the season, and they continued to look like a top defense on against the Colts. Unfortunately for Denver, their offense is incapable of scoring touchdown once they get in the red zone.
Denver entered inside the Indy 20 yard line four times, but were forced to settle for field goals on all four occasions. That brings their league worst total to 3/14 in the red zone this season.
Both teams missing RB1
Looking at the stats and how these teams played in the opening month of the season, a low scoring game was always in the card, especially when you consider the injuries each team was dealing with.
Both teams came into the night with their starting running backs sidelined with injury. Denver RB Javonte Williams tore his ACL last week in the loss against the Raiders and is out for the season, while Indy’s Johnathan Taylor suffered an ankle injury last week, and was questionable coming into this week, but didn’t make it in time to be in the backfield against the Broncos.
It was an ugly start to the game as both offenses struggled to get the ball moving. Russell Wilson led the Broncos into the red zone on their opening drive, but Denver had to settle for a field goal like they have been doing all season.
Three and outs all around in first quarter.
The Colts offense took another hit early in the game when Taylor’s back up Nyheim Hines was hit hard on a catch out of the backfield, and came up wobbling much like Tua Tagovailoa did a few weeks ago against Buffalo.
After the Broncos field goal, five of the next six possessions ended in three and outs and the game entered the second quarter at a snails pace as the Broncos led 3-0.
The Broncos would double their lead in the second quarter with a Brandon McManus field goal. Indianapolis would finally move the ball down field on the ensuing possession after going three and out in three of their first four possessions. The drive was cut short when Matt Ryan was picked off by Caden Sterns.
Scoring struggles continue in second half
Indy would manage a field goal right before the half to get on the board for the first first time and go to the break down 6-3.
In the second half, the action picked up, but the scoring didn’t. After the Colts tied the game up at 6-6 with their first possession of the third quarter the Broncos were looking to take the lead again, but McManus’s 34 yard field goal was blocked.
Three plays after that Ryan threw his second pick of the night to Caden Sterns. Just like that the momentum the Colts suddenly had in their sails was gone. The Broncos could only come up with a field goal after the turnover in IND territory, but they led 9-6 in the late stages of the third quarter.
Gilmore pick in endzone changes the game
Russell Wilson would throw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, including one on 3rd down, up by three with 2:13 second remaining in the game. The Broncos could have easily handed it off kicked the field goal and made it a six point game, which for a team like the Colts who hadn’t scored a touchdown all game was a pretty safe bet.
Instead, Stephon Gilmore came up with the pick in the end zone, which set up a game tying Chase McLaughlin field goal with five seconds to go in the fourth quarter.
The toss was won by Indy and Ryan marched the Colts down the field to hand the baton to McLaughlin for the 48 yard go-ahead field goal.
The Broncos responded with two quick strike plays that got them down to the IND 14 yard line. Again the Denver offense showed their deficiencies in the red zone. On 4th and 1 with a chance to tie or to go for the win Nathaniel Hackett, who opted for an unsuccessful 64 yard kick in the opener against Seattle, put the ball in Russell Wilson’s hands. Wilson’s pass to Courtland Sutton was incomplete and the Colts improved to 2-2-1 on the year as the Broncos sank to 2-3.
Wilson had 250 yards passing and two interceptions and Ryan had 200 yards passing and two interceptions. Neither quarterback did much to win this game, but Ryan did less to lose it.
McLaughlin with the go ahead field goal. He was 4/4 on the night.
UP by three with a little more than two minutes to go, this was the wrong play call. Just run the ball, kick the field goal and make the Colts beat you with a touchdown.
After a blocked field goal the Colts finally had the momentum and a chance to take the lead, but just three plays later Matt Ryan threw his second interception to Caleb Sterns.
All of these highlights are Broncos highlights which would make you thinkg they won the game. Indy was saving the best for last.
Matthew Ryan was allowed no time in the pocket. His offensive line is beaten up and they had a tough day.
There weren't many highlights in this game, but let's sift through the slim pickens and take a look back at the night.
Ryan was sacked six times bringing his season total to 21.
Ryan was sacked five six times and threw two interceptions, but the Colts somehow won the game.
Wilson threw two interceptions on a night where he had 250 yards passing. Again the Broncos downfall was their inablity to score in the red zone.
IND had 306 yards, but waited until their last possession to mount a decent drive. Ryan marched his side down the field and took the lead.
The Broncos ended the game with 375 yards of offense, but the late interception when they were up 9-6 was the play that changed the game for the Broncos.
The Colts never lead until the overtime field goal which proved to be the game winner.
The pass is broken up!!! The Colts are going to walk out of Mile HIgh City with a win under their belts!
Denver will take a timeout now and the Broncos are still staring down at 4th and 1 from the IND 5.
Colts will call a timeout and let the Broncos think about it for a while.
4th and 1 coming out of the break and this could be the game.
Gordon is stopped on 3rd and 2! Now the Broncos have a choice to make on 4th and 1.
Gordon flipped head over heels and the Broncos have a 3rd and 2 from the IND 6.
Gordon picks up 3 yards on first down.
2nd and 7 from the IND 11
Wide open was Jeudy and Wilson hit him in stride!! THat goes for 37 yards and in two plays the Broncos are on the IND 14.
Screen pass to Gordon for 24 yards and the Broncos start their drive off in good fashion.
1st and 10 from the DEN 48.
DEN gets the ball at the 25 to start their overtime drive.
FIELD GOAL COLTS!!!
McLaughlin drills the 47 yard field goal to give the Colts their first lead of the game.
DEN need to score on this drive. A touchdown will win it.
Ryan tried to tuck and run for the first, but was cut down on his run through the middle of the defense. The scramble went for a yard and here comes the field goal unit.
LIndsay up the middle for 2 yards and the will bring up a 3rd and 4 from the DEN 33.
Ryan on the out route to Pittman for four yards.
2nd and 6 from the DEN 33.
Pass to the flat for Campbell and he makes a defender miss and takes it up the sideline for again of 12.
1st and 10 from the DEN 37
Jackson up the gut for a 9 yard gain.
2nd and 1 from the DEN 49.
Ryan looking left to Granson and he skips around a defender for a 16 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the IND 42.
Lindsay gets a yard on the catch out of the backfield.
2nd and 9 from the IND 26.
The Colts get the ball at the 25 to start the overtime session.
The Colts have won the toss and they will take the ball first to start overtime.
FIELD GOAL IS GOOD!!!
McLaughlin hits the 31 yard field goal to tie up the game with 5 seconds to go in regulation.
This game is going to overtime.
Ryan goes way over the endzone on the 3rd down pass and the Colts will settle for a field goal with 13 seconds left.
McLaughlin has a chance to tie it late on.
A delay of game backs the Colts up to 3rd and 5 and this game just keeps getting uglier.
Quick snap as Ryan goes to Jackson over the middle of the field for a gain of 9.
3rd and 1 from the DEN 8 They spike it with 13 seconds left.
Jackson on the run up the middle and he takes it 17 yards up the middle of the field.
1st and 10 from the DEN 17
Offside on DEN that will give the Colts a first down from the DEN 33.
Ryan back to Pierce for 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the DEN 38 with 51 seconds to go.
Ryan finds Campbell for 10 yards and a first down from the DEN 43. IND is close to field goal range with 1:08 to go in the game.
Ryan with a deep pass to the right sideline to Pierce for 17 yards.
1st and 10 from the IND 47 with 1:17 to go in the game.
This time Ryan was stripped sacked, but was lucky enough to be able to dive on the loose ball.
2nd and 11 from the IND 30.
Ryan almost strip sacked but somehow got it downfield to Pierce on a wobbling pass down field to Pierce. The rookie went and took it out of the air for an 11 yard catch.
1st and 10 from the IND 31.
INTERCEPTION!!!
The one thing the Broncos couldn't afford to do was throw an interception. Wilson was picked by Gilmore in the endzone looking for Cleveland, but the Broncos QB left it behind Sutton.
1st and 10 from the 20 for the Colts.
Boone on the run to the right side and that goes for 1 yard.
Timeout IND, that's their last timeout with 2:19 to go.
3rd and 4 to go from the IND 13.
Pass to the flat for Sutton on 1st and 10 from the IND 19, that goes for 5 yards and IND will take a timeout with 2:21 to go.
Wilson over the middle to Saubert and they move the chains on 4th and short after the 9 yard gain.
Wilson hits Sutton for a gain of 7 yards, and the Broncos have a decison to make here on 4th and 2 from the IND 28.
Boone gets 4 yards on the run up the middle and IND will start to take their timeouts with 3:20 to go in the game.
3rd and 8 coming up for Denver.
Boone up the middle again and he picks up 3 yards. Under 4 minutes to go here from Denver.
2nd and 12 from the IND 39.
Just when DEN were starting to roll they are flagged for a false start.
1st and 15 from the IND 42.
Boone cuts it back and takes it 18 yards on 1st down.
1st and 10 from the IND 37.
Boone running right for a seven yard gain and that will move the chains.
1st and 10 from the DEN 45.
Gordon gets it on the left side and he takes it for a 6 yard run.
2nd and 4 from the DEN 38.
Gordon with a big burst up the middle for a 17 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the DEN 32.
Ryan to Ali-Cox for a gain of 7, but that wasn't enough to move the chains on third and long. Another three and out for the Colts and Haack punts it away for the seventh time.
DEN will take over from their 15 with 6:47 to go in the fourth.
Ryan on the move throws on the run looking for Woods on the right sideline, but that was head way out of bounds from the start.
3rd and 12 coming up from the IND 27.
Ryan's pass is incomplete to Granson who couldn't haul in the catch. IND was flagged for an ineligible man down field.
2nd and 12 from the IND 27.
Lindsay dropped in the backfield for a loss of two.
2nd and 7 form the IND 32.
Ryan's pass to Ali-Cox is incomplete but the Broncos jumped offside.
1st and 5 from the IND 34.
Flowers returns the punt 9 yards to the 29 yard line. That where the Colts will take over with 8:42 to go in the fourth.
Wilson finds Saubert who is chopped down a yard short of the marker.
4th down coming up and the boos ring around the stadium again.
Wilson dropped in the backfield for a 7 yard loss.
3rd and 10 coming up for the Broncos.
Gordon gets 7 yards on 1st down, nice gain to start the drive for the Broncos.
2nd and 3 from the DEN 27
DEN will get the ball at their 20 after the punt bounces into the endzone.
Broncos lead 9-6 with 10:44 to go in the fourth quarter.
Ryan sacked again!!! That is not only the fifth sack on the IND QB, but it takes the Colts out of field goal range.
IND will be forced to punt on 4th and 17.
Jackson gets a yard on first down, and then losses a yard on second down.
3rd and 10 from the DEN 38.
Ryan finding Lindsay for a gain of 6 yards. After the play Singelton is flagged for a late hit giving the Colts a 1st and 10 from the DEN 38.
Lindsay up the middle for 7 yards, but a holding call will bring the Colts back to 1st and 20 from the IND 41.
IND take over at their 39 yard line and Jackson with a strong run up the middle, carrying the pile for 12 yards.
1st and 10 from the DEN 49
INTERCEPTION!!!
Wilson tossed up a prayer, but Thomas was the only one in the area and he comes up with the pick and take the return back 35 yards to the IND 39.
Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. Not a good play there from Wilson who had a chance leave his team with a FG opportunity. Instead they come up empty after the first turnover of the Broncos night.
Boone up the middle for 2 yard and DEN is looking at 3rd and long again.
Wilson looking for Sutton on the sideline but it slipped right through his hands.
2nd and 15 coming up.
1st and 10 from the IND 32 and the Broncos are flagged for a false start.
1st and 15 coming up from the IND 37.
That's exactly the way you keep yourself from getting into the endzone and settling for field goals, first down penalties.
BEST PLAY OF THE GAME FOR THE BRONCOS!
Boone on the screen followed his blockers for a catch and run of 34 yards and the Broncos are in IND territory.
We are at the end of the third quarter. Will we see a TD in the final 15 minutes?
Wilson looking for Jeudy, but Wilson had his pass batted down at the line.
2nd and 10 from the DEN 34.
Jeudy on the short catch on the left side and he takes it over the marker for 5 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the DEN 34.
DEN start the drive from the 22 yard line after the punt. Wilson finds Saubert for 7 yards on first down.
2nd and 3 coming up from the DEN 29
The Colts go three and out on another quick, empty possession.
After the Colts came up with the blocked field goal, Ryan throws a pick on 3rd and long. DEN could only get a FG after Sterns' second pick on Ryan.
FIELD GOAL!!!
McManus drills the 45 yarder field goal and the Broncos lead again.
DEN up 9-6 with 3:19 in the 3rd quarter.
Ryan going deep to Jeudy on the left sideline and that pass was overthrown.
4th and 10 after a three and out. The Broncos can't take advantage of the interception and settle for a FG.
After an incompletion on 1st down, the Ryan looked for Beck in the end zone. He had it but Moore came through and jarred it out of his hands.
3rd and 10 coming up.
INTERCEPTION!!!
On 3rd and 15 Ryan was going over the middle and Sterns picks off the Colts QB again!.
DEN start their drive from the IND 27
IND start their drive from their 24, and Jackson is stopped for a 5 yard loss on 2nd and 10.
3rd and long coming up again.
HIghlights! We have highlights. It may not have ended in points, but this 51 yard bomb set up the Broncos who got inside the 10. DEN couldn't turn the big play into points after the blocked field goal.
FG is blocked!!!
McManus had his 34 yard field goal blocked by Stewart and we are staying at 6-6 with 4:30 to go in the third quarter.
Wilson dancing around the pocket and his pass to the end zone looking for Saubert was much too high.
Here comes the FG unit again.
Wilson is sacked in the backfield on the attempted roll out and DEN is facing 3rd and long again after the 6 yard loss.
3rd and Goal from the IND 16.
Gordon stopped for a loss of one, and the Broncos will have 2nd and Goal from the 10.
Gordon picks up 4 to move the chains and give us the first 1st and Goal of the night.
Washington on a 9 yard run to the right and that will bring up 2nd and 1 from the IND 13.
Wilson going deep with pressure in his face and two Broncos comedown with the catch. The ref got in the way and dropped the saftey to open up some space on the 51 yard bomb.
1st and 10 from the IND 22.
Ozigbo up the middle for a 2 yard run.
2nd and 8 from the 27.
We are all square here from Denver and the Broncos will take over from the 25.
FIELD GOAL COLTS!!!
McLaughlin hits a 51 yarder and the game is tied!!!
We are all square at 6-6 with 8:51 to go in the third quarter.
Ryan under pressure again and he thows it away to make sure the Colts stay in FG range.
IND with a chance to tie the game up.
Pass incomplete from Ryan to Pierce on the left sideline.
3rd and 11 coming up for the Colts.
Jackson swallowed up in the backfield for a loss of one.
2nd and 11 from the DEN 33.
Jackson bursts through the middle for a 13 yard run.
1st and 10 from the DEN 31.
Jackson picks up 2 yards on first down.
1st and 10 from the DEN 44
What a pass and what a throw. Ryan is under constant pressure, but kept his cool looking to Pierce over the middle for 13 yards to move the chains.
1st and 10 from the DEN 46.
Lindsay gets the handoff and takes it up the middle for a two yard gain.
3rd and 3 coming up for the Colts from their 41.
Ryan to Pierce on first down and that pass goes for 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the IND 39
Wilson hit Saubert on the first down for a gain of 10 yards. But soon after Wilson was dropped in the backfield for a seven yard loss and that ended the Broncos drive quickly.
IND will take over from their 34 looking to tie or take the lead.
WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION FROM DENVER!!!
Ryan was sacked four times in the first half, bringing his total to 19 on the year.
Ryan had all kinds of time but Sterns was reading his eyes the whole time for the only interception of the night.
Let me see if I can find any sort of highlights on twitter to share with you, but don't get your hopes up.
The Broncos lead, but they have just 103 yards of total offense. The Colts have 144 yards, but needed a last minute drive to get on the board before the end of the first half.
Ryan is 12-19 for 140 yards, no TD and and INT.
Wilson is 9-17 for 69 yards.
WE ARE HEADED TO THE HALFTIME BREAK WITH THE BRONCOS UP 6-3.
Washington almost made a critical mistake on the return, as he fumbled looking to make a play at the end of the half. He fumbled, but the ball was recovered by DEN.
If they needed anymore reason to take a knee, Washington gave them one.
FIELD GOAL COLTS!!!
McLaughlin hits the 52 yard field goal and Indy is finally on the board!
DEN lead 6-3 with 12 seconds to go in the half.
Ryan to Pierce for a 10 yard gain and that makes the field goal a little more reasonable. 17 seconds on the clock and the Colts will look for their first points of the game.
Ryan sacked again! That's the fourth sack on Ryan tonight and it will be 3rd and 38 after the Colts last time out.
21 seconds to go in the half.
Ryan sacked by Jewell and Jones. The ball came out, but it was recovered by Nelson and the Colts keep hold of the ball. Loss of 18 after the sack, 2nd and 28 coming up after the Timeout from IND with 30 seconds on the clock.
Ryan to Dulin over the middle as Ryan moved out of the pocket, and that went for an 18 pitch and catch.
1st and 10 from the DEN 26. 1:20 to go in the half.
After an incomplete pass, Ryan goes to Campbell on the sideline, but he couldn't get both feet in after getting pushed out of bounds by the defense.
3rd and 10 from the DEN 44. IND will take a timeout with 1:28 to go in the half.
Pittman over the middle, breaks a tackle and picks up 19 yards.
1st and 10 from the DEN 44 as the Colts start to pick up the pace. 1:34 to go in the half .
False start out of the Two Minute Warning and that backs IND up to 2nd and 8 from the IND 37.
Ryan to Lindsay on a five yard comeback route and that takes us to the Two Minute Warning.
IND looking for their first points of the game, can they get them before the half?
After review, the call is overturned and the Colts will keep the ball as the chains move after the 7 yard reception.
1st and 10 from the IND 35 with 2:21 to go in the half.
Pierce on the comeback on the left sideline and it was right at the marker. It was ruled short of the first down, but IND will challenge the spot of the ball.
Replays suggest Pierce got enough for the first.
Ryan almost dragged down by Browning in the backfield but he just got rid of the ball to live to see another down.
3rd and 7 coming up from the IND 28
Jackson take the handoff to the right side and picks up two yards.
2nd and 8 coming from the IND 27
IND start their drive from the 15 with 3:48 to go in the half.
Ryan hits Pittman for a gain of 10 yards and the moves the chains. 1st and 10 from the IND 25 as the clock continues to tick.
Conservative call by the Broncos on 3rd and long as Boone gets 5 yards on the recpetion out of the backfield.
4th and 11 and the Broncos will punt to the chorus of a few more boos around the stadium here in the Mile High City.
Jeudy over the middle had it in his hands and was ready to run, but he dropped it.
3rd and 16 coming up from the DEN 46.
Gordon runs left, and had it lodged out, but the refs saw his knee was down before the ball came out
That's the good news, the bad news is there was a holding call against the Broncos and that will back DEN up to 2nd and 16.
Gordon dragged down after a four yard run. He's got seven carries for just 12 yards.
2nd and 6 from the IND 44
Wilson looking for Saubert, and the pass was too high but a pass interference against the Colts will give the Broncos a first down at the IND 48.
Wilson's pass on first down was well behind Sutton.
2nd and 10 from the DEN 38
INTERCEPTION!!!
Ryan had all the time in the world, but threw it right into the hands of Sterns who picked it off and returned the ball 23 yard to the DEN 38.
Just when it looked like the Colts were getting started the drive is stopped short on Ryan's 6th interception of the year.
1st and 10 DEN from their 38 yard line.
Jackson stopped for no gain on first down.
2nd and 10 from the DEN 24.
Lindsay breaks one to the right side and gets 15 yards before running out of bounds.
1st and 10 from the DEN 24.
LIndsay picks up four yards on a first down from the DEN 43.
2nd and 6 coming up.
Pierce with the catch and took it all the way down around the marker, but fumbled the ball. Luckily for the Colts, Campbell recovered it over the first down marker so that will move the chians.
1st and 10 form the DEN 43.
Jackson gets two yards on the first down run, on 2nd and 8 Ryan gets out of the pocket and looks downfield for Dulin. The pass was incomplete and the Colts were flagged for a hold.
2nd and 18 coming up from the IND 39
Ryan just avoiding the rush, just gets the ball off to find Pittman for a gain of 15 yards. A rare first down for Indy.
1st and 10 from the IND 47.
Lindsay again on the ground, picking up 4 yards and that bring us to 3rd and 3. Colts looking to extend the drive, which hasn't been easy tonight.
Lindsay gets the first down hand off and he picks up two yards.
2nd and 8 from the 27
IND will take over from the 25 looking for their first points of the night.
FIELD GOAL DENVER!!!
McManus might have a busy day, but as long as he keeps making field goals, like the 44 yarder he just made may be enough to beat this Colts offense that has no bite at the moment.
DEN leads 6-0 with 10:58 to go in the second quarter.
Great open field tackle by Rodgers as Hamler had room after the catch, but a good play by the Colts stops the Broncos on third down.
FG coming up for the DEN.
Wilson going deep and no one was in the neighbourhood.
3rd and 15 from the IND 36
After a false start on the Broncos Wilson goes down the sideline to Sutton, but over shoots him and it will be 2nd and 15 from the IND 38
Gordon up the gut and he picks up 4 yards to bring up 3rd and 1.
Having two hands on the ball certainly makes him a less mobile back, but the Broncos won't mind as long as he can hand on to the ball.
1st and 10 from the IND 31.
Wilson finds Okwuegbunam of a five yard gain on first down.
2nd and 5 from the IND 38.
Screen pass for Gordon and that goes for 11 yards and Gordon is still hanging on to that ball for dear life.
1st and 10 from the IND 43.
The Broncos start the second quarter with 2nd and 4 and Wilson hits Sutton for a a six yard gain on the comeback route and that moves the chains.
1st and 10 form the DEN 46.
Wilson tucks and runs for a gain of 6 yards and that will bring us to the end of the first quarter.
It was awfully uneventful between these two low scoring teams.
Five three and outs already. DEN has 56 total yards, while the Colts have 32 yards.
Ryan dropped in the backfield for the second time tonight and again the Colts go three and out.
Five of the first seven possessions have ended in three and outs in the this first quarter.
DEN start their drive from their 34 yard line.
Ryan hanging on in the pocket and hits Woods at the last second for a gain of 12, but it's coming back after a holding call.
3rd and 12 from the IND 30
Toss to Linday on the left side and he gets two yards to make it 3rd and 2 from the IND 40.
Lindsay, the ex Bronco, takes the handoff on first down and he picks up 6 yards.
2nd and 4 from the IND 38
Crossing pattern by Saubert for a gain of maybe two as he is escorted out of bounds by the defense and the Broncos go three and out again.
Boos starting to ring out already at Empower Field. DEN punt it away and Rodgers muffed the punt but recovered it as the IND 32.
Off the play action Wilson going deep for Jeudy, but a great bit of defending from Thomas who batted it away.
3rd and 7 coming up from the 15
Boone gets the handoff on first down, and he picks up 3 yards.
2nd and 7 from the DEN 18
Ryan overthrows Granson on the pass out of the backfield. A holding flag against the IND is declined and the Colts will punt it for the third time after their second three and out.
Denver will get the ball back from their 13 yard line.
Jackson on the run to the left side, but he picks up just a yard.
3rd and 9 coming up from the IND 41.
Ryan over the middle to Pittman, but he took a licking and coughed up the ball, luckily before he made a football move.
2nd and 10 from the IND 40 after the incomplete pass.
Wilson is dropped in the backfield after seeing the pocket collapse and the Broncos go three and out for the first time tonight.
Mark my words, that won't be the last three and out we see tonight. We have already seen two in the first four possessions.
DEN pun the ball away and the Colts take over from the IND 40.
Sidearm throw on a short pass to Saubert is incomplete.
3rd and 10 for the Broncos from the 16.
DEN starts their drive from the 14, and it's Gordon getting it on first down, picking up maybe a yard on a run to the right side.
Ryan to Jackson out of the backfield and the sack brought that drive to an early end.
4th down coming up from the IND 49 and the Colts will punt.
Ryan sacked for the first time tonight, and that will be a worrying sight for a QB that has already been beaten and battered this year.
3rd and 11 after the 6 yard sack.
Back to Jackson for a gain of 5 yards and the Colts are in DEN territory after just two plays.
1st and 10 from the DEN 49
Jackson in the backfield in place of Hines, and Ryan hits him instride as he makes a move around a defender and gains 21 yards on 1st down.
1st and 10 from the IND 46
Take two for the Colts who will start their second drive from the 25.
FIELD GOAL BRONCOS!!
The Broncos looked good moving the ball down the field, but once again they are held out of the end zone after getting inside the 20.
McManus hit the 33 yard field goal to put the first points on the board.
DEN leads 3-0 five and a half minutes into the game.
Gordon swallowed up in the backfield for a two yard loss and that will set up 3rd and long for the Broncos.
3rd and 12 from the 15.
Wilson incomplete to Sutton in the end zone on first down.
2nd and 10 from the IND 13.
Gordon gets stopped at the line of scrimmage on 1st down, but Wilson followed that up with a 18 yard scramble to the left side and the Broncos are in the red zone.
That's good and bad news for Denver who have scored TDs on 3/10 tries this season.
Gordon out of the backfield for a gain of 14 before running out of bounds at the IND 31.
1st and 10 for the Broncos who are driving.
Jeudy on the slant pattern for a gain of 11 yards and that will move the chains for the first time tonight.
1st and 10 from the IND 45
Wilson to Sutton on the right side for a gain of 5 yards and that will set up 3rd and short.
3rd and 2 from the DEN 44
Gordon gets the handoff on 1st down and he had two hands on the ball on the run up the middle.
2nd and 7 after three yards on the run.
The Broncos take the field and Wilson will start the night from the DEN 36.
Ryan looking for Patrick out of the backfield and he got popped right before the marker.
He got up wobbly much like Tua Tagovailoa did a few weeks ago and he will go to the sideline and most likely go through concussion protocol.
Three and out to start the game, but the Colts concern is more on Hines after that last hit.
Hines gets the hand off on second down and that goes for three yards.
3rd and 7 coming up from the IND 28
Ryan in the shot gun from the 25 looking for Hines out of the backfield and he dropped it. He's playing in place of Taylor and needs to make every play for the Colts to have a chance.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM DENVER!!!
The Broncos kick it off first and Matt Ryan and the Colts take the field first. Protection is key tonight for Ryan and the Colts. He's been sacked 15 times already this season.
Tonight's odds
According to Bet365.com the Broncos are three point favorites and the the Over/Under is 42. It makes no sense, and this is probably why I never win, but I think this game has some unexpected fireworks and goes for 42.
Wilson vs. Ryan
Both of the featured quarterbacks in tonight’s game were faces of their respective franchises for the last decade. Russell Wilson was an icon in Seattle and won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks, but his era in Denver hasn’t gone according to plan so far. He is completing 61.1 percent of his passes and is averaging 245 yards a game, but has just four touchdowns and an interception through the first four games of the season.
Matt Ryan is coming off of his best performance of the year going for 356 yards and two TDs and one INT. His passing numbers aren’t terrible through four games, he has 1,125 yards and is completing 66.2% of his passes. The trouble comes when you look at his TD INT ratio. He has thrown five TDs and five INTs and is quarterback of the lowest scoring team in the league.
Taylor out tonight
Johnathan Taylor was questionable for tonight’s game after suffering an ankle injury last week against the Titans, but has officially been ruled out by the Colts. He exploded for 161 yards and a TD in the season opener, but since then he has 167 yards and 0 TDs in the last three games. Even though he is not having an MVP candidate season like last year, his presence in the backfield is always a threat, a threat that Indy will be missing tonight.
Williams out for the year
The Denver offense took a huge hit last week when their second year running back was carted off the field in lwith a season ending knee injury in Denver’s loss to Las Vegas. That means Melvin Gordon will take starting running back duties. Broncos fans will be weary of Gordon, as he has already fumbled four times this season.
Indy's inefficient offense
The Broncos have the third worst offense in the league averaging just 16.5 points a game, but no team is struggling more than the Colts on the offensive end. They are averaging a league low 14.3 points per game. Getting shutout against the Jags didn’t help their cause in that department, but they have not convinced in any of their games. Even their win against the Colts was won on the special teams end. With no Johnathan Taylor, scoring the ball will get even tougher.
Denver defense
This season could be going a lot worse for the Broncos if it wasn’t for their defensive dominance. With the offense incapable of scoring touchdowns in the red zone (30%, last in the league), the defense has had to step up in a major way. The Denver D is top five in yards allowed (284 per game, 4th) and points (16.8 per game, 5th).
Indy is in the building
The last time the Colts were on the road, they got shutout 24-0 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. They hit the road again tonight, but will be without one of their main weapons on an already dodgy offensive unit.
Denver arriving at Mile High Stadium
There have been more than one or two boo birds flying around the stadium at Mile High. Those boos have been directed at the offensive unit and Jerry Jeudy who has yet to find his connection with Russell Wilson for the Broncos. Will tonight be his night in front of the home fans?
Indianapolis last week
After beating the Kansas City Chiefs two Sundays ago, there was a thought around Indy that maybe the Colts were finally starting to show who they really were following to division losses to two of the worst teams in the league last year. They humbled again against another desperate division rival in the Tennessee Titans. The passing game finally turned on, going for 365 yards, but the running game totaled just 38 yards all game. The Colts lost the game and their star running back Johnathan Taylor, who was injured in last Sunday’s game and it appears the the short week didn’t allow the Indy running back time to recover for tonight’s game.
Denver last week
For the first month of the season the Broncos have relied on their defense to win them games, but last week Denver’s defense finally had an off day, and Nathaniel Hackett’s team paid dearly. Although the Denver D had a fumble recovery for a touchdown they allowed 32 points on nearly 400 yards of offense. The Broncos had chance to get back into the game after scoring a touchdown to bring the score to 23-25 midway through the fourth quarter. The defense couldn’t come up with a stop on the next possession as Vegas constructed a 10-play, five minute drive to stretch the game to two possession in the final minutes.
We are live from Denver
Hello everyone and welcome to Empower Field in Denver, Colorado, as the Colts and the Broncos are looking to bounce back from Week 4 losses. Both of these teams came into this season with heavy expectations laid on them after bringing in star quarterbacks in the offseason, and so far neither has lived up to the billing.
Colts vs. Broncos
Two playoff hopeful teams that have yet to convince anyone in the league that they are ready for the postseason square off tonight after a disappointing first month of the season. The Indianapolis Colts travel to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Broncos to kick off Week 5 of the NFL season. AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage stags, scores and highlights of tonight’s primetime showdown.