The Indianapolis Colts won their Week 6 road game against the Denver Broncos 12-9 on Thursday night, scoring four field goals. Both teams had no touchdowns in that game, which ended in overtime.
The Colts’ kicker Chase McLaughlin scored four field goals, including a deciding 48-yard FG in overtime, while the Broncos’ Brandon McManus was the only player to score for his team by tallying three FGs.
The Colts were struggling to score touchdowns, despite their primary QB, Matt Ryan, throwing 26 out of 41 completions for 251 yards.
Hey Jeudy, take a sad song and make it better! @JerryJeudy | @Broncos#INDvsDEN on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/qcjXnKGOp7 pic.twitter.com/i31NWimppq— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2022
Denver’s QB Russell Wilson finished the game with 26 for 41 completions for 274 yards. Both Ryan and Wilson got their pass intercepted twice.
On the other hand, the Colts’ rookie receiver Alec Pierce racked up eight receptions for 81 yards when being targeted nine times by Ryan. He performed a clutch catches on the Colts’ drive in the fourth quarter and was involved in several crucial moments of the game, as reported by Stephen Holder of ESPN.
“A concern about Pierce’s game was his ability to make tough catches in traffic, but Pierce made a number of contested and diving catches throughout the game, helping to change the complexion of the Colts’ young wide-receiving corps,” Holder said.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, seven combined field goals in a game where both teams only scored through field goals is considered an NFL record.
The Broncos had a man open on the 4th and 1 play at the end of the game, but Russ didn't see him. pic.twitter.com/8N0CXfXFkq
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 7, 2022
Holder and ESPN senior writer Jeff Legwold said that the Colts and Broncos matchup was one of the “wildest games in memory” through three and a half quarters, late play in the fourth and overtime that ended in the Colts’ win.
Broncos’ OT Garett Bolles is out for the season due to a broken leg.
Broncos’ CB Ronald Darby is out for the season due to a torn ACL.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2022
The Colts’ running back Nyheim Hines got a concussion when catching Ryan’s pass and collided with two Broncos defensive linemen. Hines, who replaced the Colts’ main RB Jonathan Taylor, was ruled out in the first quarter.
Similarly, the Broncos ruled out their leading RB Javonte Williams due to a torn ACL.
Colts, Broncos’ players comment on the game
Ryan, who ended the game with no passing touchdown, voiced his opinion following the game. The 27-year-old signal-caller fumbled twice and had 11 so far, according to ESPN.
“It was just kind of a slog of a game,” Ryan said.
The game finished with a dozen punts, 25 third-down failed conversions, four interceptions and six fumbles with no recoveries. According to Ryan, his team’s defense “played lights out.”
Ryan also had himself sacked six times, giving him 21 so far this season.
“We need to play better for sure, but I’m proud of the guys,” Ryan said. “Wins are what we need. We’re right in the mix. … I thought the two drives at the end showed a lot of guys. You just keep battling — and it helps when your defense is shutting them down, too.”
Stephon Gilmore on Prime: “He kept trying me so I made him pay.”
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) October 7, 2022
On the other hand, the Colts’ head coach Frank Reich applauded his cornerback Stephon Gilmore’s performance. Gilmore intercepted Wilson’s pass twice, including the two-minute play of the fourth quarter to set up the Colts to force the overtime via McLaughlin’s tying field goal at five seconds mark.
“That’s the definition of a big-time player making big plays in the moment,” Reich said “Isn’t it awesome you can have a game like that and still win?”
Wilson, who was sacked four times in that game, said that he could not throw his pass and was knocked away by Gilmore.
“Just can’t throw that,” said Wilson. “Got to throw it out of bounds if it’s not there.”
Despite being defeated in overtime, the Broncos’ head coach Nathaniel Hackett said that they played well in that game.
“We hadn’t moved the ball very well the whole night and I thought we had a spectacular drive to get all the way down there,” Hackett said.