INDIANAPOLIS —Now all thawed out from Sunday's blizzard in Buffalo, the Indianapolis Colts are back at home for tonight's primetime matchup against the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football.
The Colts (3-10) had a spirited comeback effort in the Western New York driving snowstorm just four days ago, tying the game at 7 in the final minutes and forcing overtime, but that's where the Bills would see running back LeSean McCoy take off for a walkoff 21-yard touchdown run, sending Indy home with a 13-7 loss.
The Broncos (4-9), meanwhile, were able to snap an eight-game losing streak on Sunday with their 20-0 shutout victory over the New York Jets in Denver.
So let's check out the major plays as they happened each quarter in tonight's game:
FIRST QUARTER
11:49:The Broncos have really struggled with early-game turnovers this season, but after having a clean game last week in a win over the Jets, Trevor Siemian shows signs of the play that originally got him benched eight games into the season. The Denver quarterback tries to force a throw into heavy Colts coverage on the Broncos' opening drive, and right there to get his first-career interception is undrafted rookie cornerback Kenny Moore II, who returns it 25 yards to the 50. This is the exact formula for success against this Denver team, which has a top-tier defense, but that unit can only do so much when the offense is making mistakes like this.
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8:02: **The Colts cash in and take advantage of the Broncos' opening-drive mistake, needing seven plays to go the 50 yards needed to take a 7-0 lead on a seven-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Brissett had a really nice opening drive, connecting on 3-of-4 passes for 39 yards and converting twice on third down. Included on that drive was a big 22-yard reception by running back Frank Gore, who is four days removed from a career-high 36 carries against the Bills, the most carries by a running back age 34 or older in one game in NFL history.
1:30:The Broncos get into the red zone on their second possession, but a huge sack on third down by Barkevious Mingo on third down, and then a false start on fourth down sets up a 40-yard field goal by Brandon McManus, but he pushes it wide right, and the Colts retain their 7-0 lead. Another development on that Mingo sack: Siemian took a ride on the cart back to the locker room afterwards; no word on his status just yet.
0:00:At the end of the first quarter, the Colts lead the Broncos, 7-0.
SECOND QUARTER
14:11: The game takes a very somber turn, as Colts tight end Brandon Williams suffers a head injury during a Colts punt play, and has to be carted off the field on a stretcher. The team later announces Williams has movement in his limbs and was strapped down on the cart for precautionary measures, and he was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. We'll get you an update on Williams' status as soon as we hear more.
INJURY UPDATE:The Colts also announce running back Frank Gore has suffered a knee injury, and his status to return is unknown. The Broncos, meanwhile, will be without Siemian the rest of the way; he's out with a shoulder injury.
6:38:Adam Vinatieri connects on a 45-yard field goal to extend the Colts' lead to 10-7. Just another ho-hum kick for the GOAT, right?
1:26:Brock Osweiler, in for the injured Siemian, scrambles for an 18-yard touchdown run — on 3rd and 9, to boot — to cut Indy's lead to three, 10-7. Yes, THAT Brock Osweiler, the same guy who went 2-0 against the Colts last year as the Houston Texans' quarterback. He leads the Broncos on an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
0:00:At halftime, the Colts lead the Broncos, 10-7.
THIRD QUARTER
9:17: The Colts, who won the game's opening coin toss and deferred to the second half, get a Vinatieri 39-yard field goal on their opening drive of the third quarter to jump ahead, 13-7. For Vinatieri, he ties John Carney (165) for the fourth-most made field goals from 30-39 yards in NFL history. Also on that 12-play, 54-yard drive, Gore — who has returned after a first-half knee injury — crossed 1,000 yards from scrimmage on the year for a 12th straight season. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith (13) has had more consecutive seasons of 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
INJURY UPDATE:Colts right tackle Denzelle Good is OUT with a knee injury. In comes Le'Raven Clark, who goes to right guard, and Joe Haeg moves over to right tackle.
4:16:Former Indiana University star Cody Lattimore makes a nice jumping grab on a 22-yard touchdown throw from Osweiler, and after the extra point, the Broncos take their first lead of the game, 14-13. Denver easily marches down the field, going 79 yards in nine plays and taking 4:57 off the clock. Osweiler to this point is up to his old tricks against Indy; he's completed 10-of-14 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown, and has another 18-yard rushing touchdown.
INJURY UPDATES:The Colts are down two inside linebackers. Starter Jon Bostic (knee; return status unknown) and backup Jeremiah George (neck; out) are injured here in the third quarter, pushing rookie Anthony Walker onto the field for his first defensive action of his career.
2:37:Brock. Osweiler. He connects with tight end Jeff Heuerman on a 54-yard touchdown, and after a two-point conversion to Lattimore, the Broncos extend their lead to 22-13. Three plays, 67 yards, just 1:17 on that drive for Osweiler and the Denver offense.
0:00:At the end of the third quarter, the Broncos lead the Colts, 22-13.
FOURTH QUARTER
5:18:The Broncos extend their lead to 25-13 with a 40-yard field goal from McManus.
0:00:The Broncos will fly home improving to 5-9 with a 25-13 victory; the Colts, meanwhile, fall to 3-11.
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