INDIANAPOLIS –
First Quarter Recap
The Colts won the toss and deferred to the second half.
This one started off with a pair of three-and-outs for each team.
After another forced punt from the Indianapolis defense, the Colts offense ended their string of sluggish starts.
A seven-play drive started with a Frank Gore run of 17 yards and ended with a seven-yard touchdown scamper from the veteran running back. In between that, T.Y. Hilton hung on for a 28-yard catch after a massive hit from Broncos safety T.J. Ward. The Colts led 7-0 midway through the opening quarter. The points were the first opening quarter points the Broncos had given up ALL season long.
The Colts were marching at the end of the first quarter, thanks to another forced punt by their defense.
At the end of the first quarter, the Colts led the Broncos 7-0.Second Quarter Recap
The strong start for the Colts would continue with Adam Vinatieri connecting on a 43-yard field goal to give Indianapolis a 10-0 lead with 12:13 to play in the second quarter.
With Denver starting to move the football, Mr. Turnover would make a play. Mike Adams hauled in a tipped ball for his 10th interception since 2014, the most in the NFL. Adams did get hurt on the interception and had to be helped off the field.
The turnover would lead to points, in the form of another touchdown. On a third-and-goal from the three-yard line, Jack Doyle stretched out for the three-yard touchdown from Andrew Luck to push the Indianapolis lead to 17-0 with 7:12 left in the first half.
Indianapolis' defense, sans Mike Adams, continued to hold its turf. Failed deep shots for the Broncos ended another Denver drive with a punt.
The Colts would chew up some clock, but give the ball back to Denver with just less than two minutes remaining in the half.
After a Denver punt, the Colts also punted to end the first half. However, Denver returner Omar Bolden took off down the sideline for an 83-yard punt return touchdown at the halftime gun.
At halftime, the Colts led the Broncos 17-7.Third Quarter Recap
The first drive of the second half saw the Denver defense ramp up the pressure. A first-down scramble from Andrew Luck would be the lone first-down on the drive.
Denver would face a third-and-14 on their first drive and would convert it with a strike. A 64-yard touchdown toss to Emmanuel Sanders continued Denver's building momentum. The Colts lead was now 17-14 with 11:27 left in the third quarter.
It was another stalling drive for the Colts offense. Indianapolis did flip field position to the Denver 10-yard line.
The Broncos then put together a 10-play, 79-yard drive with Brandon McManus hitting a 29-yard field goal to tie the score (17-17) at the 4:57 mark of the third quarter.
The quarter would come to a close with the Colts offense marching inside the red-zone, after big third-down conversions from T.Y. Hilton and Griff Whalen.
At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied at 17.Fourth Quarter Recap
One more third-down conversion was in order for the Colts. On a third-and-five, Ahmad Bradshaw snuck out of the backfield for an eight-yard touchdown catch from Andrew Luck. The Colts re-took the lead at 24-17 with 14:05 left.
In a game that was already entertaining, Denver answered the Colts touchdown. Denver's nine-play, 80-yard drive took 5:11 with Peyton Manning finding Owen Daniels for the one-yard score. The score was tied at 24 with 8:54 left.
Adam Vinatieri would then split the uprights from 55 yards out and the Colts once again re-took the lead. The score was 27-24 with 6:13 left.
With Peyton Manning nearing the record for most career passing yards in NFL history, the Colts defense delayed that. Pressure from rookie David Parry led to an interception by Darius Butler.
The Colts had the ball back inside the midfield stripe with a chance to take some time away, leading by three points. A crucial third-and-10 pick up by Griff Whalen kept the chains moving and the clock running. A later unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Aqib Talib would take the Colts inside the Denver 10-yard line. One more Denver penalty iced the game for the Colts.
With the 27-24 victory, the Colts took a one-game AFC South lead heading into the bye week.
The Colts (4-5) will now enter their bye week before traveling to Atlanta (6-3) in two weeks.
Colts In-Game Injuries
S-Mike Adams (ankle, status to return unknown).
DE-Henry Anderson (knee sprain, OUT for the game).
Colts Inactives
15-Phillip Dorsett
34-Josh Robinson
35-Josh Thomas
55-Nate Irving
71-Denzelle Good
79-Todd Herremans
99-Billy Winn
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Colts Pre-Game Notes
-With Carolina and Denver, the Colts are facing back-to-back teams with (at least) 6-0 records. That has only happened three other times in NFL history.
Weather Update
-It's a perfect crisp, fall afternoon in Indianapolis. With temperatures in the 50s, the roof will be open at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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