INDIANAPOLIS –
First Quarter Recap
Both teams would find themselves in opponents' territory to start the game, but the Colts would find the only points.
Denver kicker Brandon McManus misfired from 54 yards out to open up things in Mile High.
With nice field position, the Colts pushed into Denver's side of the field and left with three points after Adam Vinatieri connected from 48 yards out. The Colts lead was 3-0 with 8:17 left in the first quarter.
The Broncos would tie things up on their next drive. The spark came from a Demaryius Thomas screen pass, in which a tipped pass still resulted in a 44-yard gain for the Pro Bowler. McManus' 23-yard field goal knotted the score up at 3 with 5:30 remaining in the first.
The second offensive drive of the Colts saw a couple of errant throws from Andrew Luck leading to a three-and-out.
Sunday's first quarter would come to a close with each team exchanging punts.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied at 3.Second Quarter Recap
With the injuries starting to pile up, the Broncos went 69 yards in six plays, before C.J. Anderson punched it in from four yards out. Denver's lead was 10-3 with 11:41 left in the first half.
The Colts would go three-and-out on their next possession with Von Miller finally sacking Andrew Luck.
It looked as if Denver was going to stretch their lead, before a critical mistake by quarterback Trevor Siemian. Looking for a screen pass, Siemian was picked by Darius Butler. The veteran corner had plenty of open grass in front of him, but an apparent hamstring injury kept him from returning the pick for a score.
The Colts did get a field goal off the turnover. Adam Vinatieri's 52-yard field goal was the 29th straight for the future Hall of Famer. Denver's lead was 10-6 with 2:43 remaining the second quarter.
Missed tackling for the Colts once again lead to late half points. Denver got a 43-yard field goal from McManus to extend the lead to 13-6.
At halftime, the Broncos led the Colts 13-6.Third Quarter Recap
Getting the ball to start the second half, the Colts put together a methodical touchdown drive. It took 13 plays, and was aided by some Denver penalties, but the Colts found the end zone via Robert Turbin's legs. A five-yard touchdown run by Turbin tied the score at 13 with 8:06 left in the third.
Denver would answer with a 13-play drive of their own. It was a 33-yard field goal by Brandon McManus to give Denver a 16-13 lead with 1:09 remaining in the third.
The quarter would come to a close with Indy beginning a drive on Denver's side of the field.
At the end of the third quarter, the Broncos led the Colts 16-13.
Fourth Quarter Recap
On the next drive for the Colts, a forced pass on a third-and-15 proved to be very costly. With Andrew Luck trying to fit one in to Jacoby Brissett, Denver cornerback Aqib Talib stepped in front of the second-year wide receiver and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown. Denver's lead was 23-13 with 13:53 left.
Down 10, the Colts needed to make something happen very quickly. It would not happen on this drive though, with the Colts going three-and-out with a little more than 12 minutes remaining.
The defense held its ground though, forcing a punt, thus giving the ball back to the offense with 9:30 to go.
Signs of life were still evident on the visiting sideline. Andrew Luck led a 12-play, 80-yard drive with Frank Gore tiptoeing his way into the end zone on a seven-yard touchdown grab. Denver's lead was cut to 23-20 with 4:02 remaining.
Denver would respond with a field goal, pushing the lead up to 26-20 with 1:51 remaining. The Colts were without timeouts.
There would be no comeback. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Von Miller came off the edge and stripped sacked Andrew Luck, with fellow linebacker Shane Ray picking the ball up and returning it 15 yards for the clincher. Denver converted the two-point conversion, giving them a 34-20 lead with 1:42 to go.
It would be a 34-20 final, with the Colts starting 0-2 for a third straight season.
The Colts will next host the Chargers (1-1) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is next Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Colts In-Game Injuries
CB-Darius Butler (hamstring, OUT)
CB-Antonio Cromartie (shoulder, returned to the game)
OG-Denzelle Good (back, return is questionable)
CB-Rashaan Melvin (cramps, return is questionable)
WR-Donte Moncrief (neck/head, return is questionable)
DE-Hassan Ridgeway (cleared to return, after being evaluated for a concussion)
Colts Inactives
DE-Henry Anderson (knee)
C-Austin Blythe (healthy)
OT-Le'Raven Clark (healthy)
OLB-Trent Cole (back)
CB-Vontae Davis (ankle)
S-T.J. Green (knee)
CB-Patrick Robinson (concussion)Colts Pre-Game Notes
- The Colts are looking to avoid a third straight 0-2 start.
- A win today for the Colts would be the fourth in their last five meetings with the Broncos, all in the Chuck Pagano era.
- Next week the Colts will host the San Diego Chargers on Sunday afternoon. In Week Four, the Colts will travel to London to take on the Jaguars.
Weather Update
-It is a gorgeous late summer day out in Denver. Temperatures will climb into the 80s for the Colts first road trip of 2016.
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