Broncos came in six-point favorites and today stomped the Colts late 34-20, with an interception and forced fumble by Aqib Talib, respectively. Broncos face Bengals at 11am next Sunday.
There were many key areas the Broncos defense needed to focus on the offensive side of the ball for the Colts. Neutralize the speed threat of T.Y. Hilton and the biggest key is stopping the scrambles from the Andrew Luck on third and longs. Broncos did one of the two factors on defense, while continuing the trend of last year’s defense turning the ball over twice, both resulting in touchdowns.
The Broncos started the scoring early with a CJ Anderson touchdown run pushing his scoring trend to two games. After a share of field goals and another Trevor Siemian interception, the Broncos maintained a one-score advantage heading into halftime. Brandon McManus missed a long 54-yard field goal, but responded with four kicks of short distance.
All throughout the game the Broncos maintained the lead failing to give Luck any chance to come back for a victory. Luck and the offense came close after drawing to within three, but Broncos stopped Hilton from gaining any big yards in the passing game. Yet, the Broncos were caught up in man-to-man defense on a 3-and-20 leaving an open lane for Luck to scramble for 21 yards. That play sparked the Colts offense and to make matters worse DeMarcus Ware left the field with an apparent elbow injury.
Offensively, the Broncos and Trevor Siemian utilized the passing attack exclusively; however, he failed to throw a touchdown. Anderson gained 74 yards and another huge first down with a one-handed reception, but the inside running game struggled all game converting short yardage situations.
Von Miller failed to sack Luck in his career. Today, versus the Colts offensive line he made them wear pink tutus, living in the backfield earning three sacks and forced a fumble to seal the win. Aqib Talib and the Broncos secondary made Luck’s day miserable, but the third down conversions extended drives. Talib finally turned Luck over in a pick-six of his own. Miller, the face of the franchise, put the nail in the coffin with a strip sack of Luck as Shane Ray scooped up the ball and ran it in for his first career score.
GAME NOTES:
DeMarcus Ware’s injury is an elbow injury and the determination if he will miss time is unknown.
Demaryius Thomas played with effort, which was missed in the 2015 season. Thomas caught five passes for 90 yards.
Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian will have to limit the turnovers. That cannot be a growing trend for the young quarterback. He has a tough test next week against the Bengals.