Despite scoring four touchdowns, the Colts lost their first preseason game of 2024 in a back-and-forth affair against the Denver Broncos with a final score of 34-30.

Playing in his first football game since October, quarterback Anthony Richardson appeared in the Colts' first two drives of the game. The highlight of Richardson's afternoon was his 19-yard catch-and-run connection with tight end Mo Alie-Cox to start the second drive of the game; that was the only first down Richardson would record on the afternoon.

Joe Flacco showed his veteran experience as he entered the game as the Colts began their third drive, promptly moving the ball downfield to give the Colts a shot for an early lead. A seven-play, 26 yard drive put the Colts at the Broncos' 17-yard line, setting kicker Matt Gay up with a 35-yard field goal attempt. Gay sent the ball directly through the uprights to put the Colts up 3-0, a score that would hold through the end of the first quarter.

The scoring drive was highlighted by an 11-yard pass to from Flacco rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and a short pass to running back Trey Sermon who ran nine yards for a total of a 12-yard gain.

Cornerback Kenny Moore II had one of the most impactful first quarters of any of the Colts, recording a dominant textbook tackle and an interception that set up the drive that put the Colts on top 3-0.

The Broncos quickly answered right back, however, as Bo Nix led an 11-play, 45 yard drive that brought the Broncos within field goal position at the beginning of the second quarter. Broncos' kicker Will Lutz's 41-yard kick was good and the two teams were even once again.

After the Colts' ensuing drive ended in a missed 54-yard field goal from Gay, Nix once again took control against the Colts' defense and struck for a 10-play, 56-yard drive that ended in a Broncos touchdown.

In keeping with the back-and-forth trend of the game, the Colts quickly answered with their own touchdown drive, led this time by Sam Ehlinger. The eight-play drive started with a 39-yard pass play to wide receiver D.J. Montgomery, and from then on consisted of Ehlinger primarily handing the ball off to running back Evan Hull to creep closer to the endzone. On third and goal from the one-yard line, Hull launched himself up the middle and into the endzone. Gay's successful extra point kick tied the game at 10.

The Colts quickly took back possession of the football as linebacker Cameron McGrone forced a fumble that was recovered by cornerback Chris Lammons, but on the following play Ehlinger threw an interception and the Broncos took the ball right back. Nix then led a seven-play, 75-yard drive downfield that ended in another Denver field goal.

The Broncos carried their 13-10 lead into halftime and held on to that momentum as their first drive in the third quarter was a 10-play, 56-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.

The Colts weren't ready to go quietly, however, and took advantage of a Denver fumble at the Broncos' own 45-yard line. Cornerback Micah Abraham seized the ball out of a huddle of bodies and ran the 45 yards for a touchdown and a successful extra point kick from Spencer Shrader narrowed the Broncos' lead to 20-17.

After the Broncos took a 10-point lead with another touchdown on their next drive, the Colts – now with Kaden Slovis at quarterback – went on a nine-play, 72-yard drive to score another touchdown of their own. Tight ends Jelani Woods and Will Mallory recorded 17-yard and 26-yard catches, respectively, and running back Tyler Goodson ran into the endzone for a one-yard touchdown. With just under 14 minutes left in the game, Denver led by a score of just 27-24.

The fourth quarter saw a flurry of action as the Broncos scored their fourth touchdown of the afternoon and a connection between quarterback Jason Bean and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell on a six-play, 51 yard drive gave the Colts one of their own – their fourth of the game as well.

A failed two-point conversion kept the score at 34-30. The Colts were unable to score again, and the score held as the Colts lost their first preseason game of 2024.