Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Live updates
FINAL | Colts 29, Broncos 28
The Broncos lost an absolute heartbreaker in Indianapolis, falling to the Colts, 29-28, after Spencer Shrader made a 45-yard field goal with no time remaining.
It was a complete 180 from mere minutes earlier when Shrader missed a 60-yard field goal. But a 15-yard yard leverage penalty on Eyioma Uwazurike gave Indianapolis another shot at the win.
Denver’s offense struggled in the fourth quarter. On its first drive, quarterback Bo Nix threw an interception when the Broncos were in scoring position. Then Wil Lutz missed a 42-yard field goal on the team’s next drive.
The Broncos (1-1) next take on the Chargers at 2:05 p.m. MT in Los Angeles.
More Broncos coverage:
- Broncos analysis: ‘Leverage’ serves as final dagger, but Sean Payton’s team set itself up for failure several times.
- Renck: Blaming refs for Broncos’ loss to Colts is just plain dumb. This one’s on Denver.
- How Broncos WR Troy Franklin started ‘stopping like a Tesla’ en route to Week 2 breakout.
- Broncos four downs: Shane Steichen goes full Nathaniel Hackett, but Denver loses anyway.
- Broncos report card: Sean Payton’s play-calling shines, but Vance Joseph’s defense struggles in loss to Colts.
- What is leverage? Explaining call on Dondrea Tillman that handed Broncos Week 2 loss at Colts.
- Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II suffers ankle injury vs. Colts, but returns.
Fourth-quarter updates
Game. Set. Match. (5:10 p.m.): Wow. Broncos win. Then lose. FG no good. Then after leverage call on Enyi Uwazurike, gets another shot and converts. Colts win 29-28. — Renck
SPENCER SHRADER WINS IT FOR THE @COLTS! pic.twitter.com/LIjazH29Sj
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
BRUTAL. Absolutely brutal. Shane Steichen handed the Broncos the game, and they gave it right back. — Schubert
Time management (5:05 p.m.): Shane Steichen apparently thinks 57 is comfortably within Spencer Shrader’s range. No rush whatsoever here from Indy’s offense. — Gabriel
Colts Steichen going full Nate Hackett at Seattle here. This is going to be a long field goal. Might work out. But weird decision. — Renck
Weird decisions all around. Sean Payton went to his timeouts real early. — Schubert
Timeouts (5:02 p.m.): Interesting use of timeouts here by Sean Payton. If the Colts get a first down, they can drain the clock.
And the Colts convert on third-and-6. They’re at the Denver 43 now, first and 10. — Schubert
Game’s winding down (4:59 p.m.): We’re going to the two-minute warning with the Colts driving at their own 46. First-and-10, and all they need is a field goal. — Schubert
Redemption (4:58 p.m.): Jonathan Taylor is redeeming himself twice over for dropping the ball in Colts-Broncos last year. — Evans
Field goal, Broncos (4:55 p.m.): Wil Lutz hits the upright on a 42-yard field-goal attempt. — Nguyen
DOINK. — Gabriel
Adam Trautman takes a massive 15-yard facemask penalty that pushes Denver all the way back to the Indy 39. The Broncos are forced to settle for a field goal, when a touchdown would’ve delivered a knockout blow.
Uh oh. Wil Lutz doinks a 42-yarder, and the Colts have life. — Schubert
Should have been first-and-10 from Colts 25. But two penalties later. Broncos were at 40 an scrambling to get into FG range. And Lutz ultimately slices 42-yard than slams into left upright. Broncos are in big trouble. — Renck
Another big play (4:52 p.m.): Evan Engram delivers a big first-down catch and run, then J.K. Dobbins explodes down the field with a 23-yard run. The Broncos’ offseason additions are starting to make an impact when Sean Payton needs it most. — Schubert
Engram sighting (4:50 p.m.): Evan Engram’s 500th career catch was a 12-yarder that gives Denver a first down. — Nguyen
Field goal, Colts (4:43 p.m.): The Broncos’ red zone defense is THE reason this isn’t a two-possession game in the Colts’ favor right now.
Another massive stop in the red zone after Jonathan Taylor juked half the Broncos defense out of its cleats on a long run. — Schubert
Huge run (4:41 p.m.): Jonathan Taylor with the soul-crushing 68-yard run. Talanoa Hufanga runs him down to save the touchdown. At least for now. — Nguyen
Picked off (4:36 p.m.): After a really clean game, Bo Nix throws an interception. Denver could’ve had at least three points to cushion its lead. Now They have to try and stop the potent Colts’ offense. — Nguyen
Mistake from Bo Nix. Stepped up against pressure, footwork wasn’t great, fires a duck over the head of Courtland Sutton that’s picked off by Cam Bynum.
That’s a fourth-quarter momentum-shifter. — Gabriel
The Broncos were on the verge of taking complete control of this game. Instead, it’s back on the defense to close this out.
Looks like Nix’s pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage. Explains why that was such a bad ball. — Schubert
Bo Nix has played precise. And then throws Ragu on the Picasso. Not sure if the ball sailed. But on third-and-3 in FG range, just ugly overthrow of Sutton to a diving Cam Bynum for pick. Takes likely 3 points off the board. Bynum gets credit for his celebration of putting ball under jersey and mimicking the belly roll of the mascot Blue. — Renck
That’s the kind of mistake Bo Nix preached against making this week. — Evans
Standing tall (4:30 p.m.): Indy goes for it on fourth-and-2, but Denver’s defense stands stout. The Broncos get the ball back at the 50-yard line with 13:02 to go in the game. — Nguyen
Broncos take risk declining holding penalty. It leaves fourth-and-2 at midfield. And Jonah Elliss gets serious pressure from opposite side of Jones scramble. Colts still have yet to punt. But Broncos take over. Huge play by Elliss. — Renck
Luca and I were talking about this on the podcast this week. Having this defense — maligned as it’s been today so far — gives Sean Payton the ability to make aggressive decisions and trust that the defense will back him up. Vance Joseph’s group did just that when Payton declined a penalty to bring on fourth-and-2 rather than third-and-12. — Gabriel
Third-quarter thoughts — Broncos 28, Colts 23
Luca Evans, beat writer: Think Sean Payton needs to get back to J.K. Dobbins a bit. Outside game with RJ Harvey isn’t working. Daniel Jones is still working out every kink of Denver’s pass defense from the sidelines to the middle. Only defensive hope for Broncos is to create more pressure and force some negative plays.
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Last week the Broncos’ defense carried the load until the offense got it together. This week it’s been just the opposite. But Denver’s going to need a stop at some point over the final 15 minutes. Indy still hasn’t punted today.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Colts still have not punted. But Broncos held them to a field goal and Dobbins scored to keep Indy in the rear-view. Broncos had some offensive mix ups on last drive of third quarter, appearing to involve rookie RB RJ Harvey. The question hang in the air. Can the rush get home without allowing a big play to Tyler Warren?
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Even with Pat Surtain II in coverage, Tyler Warren is doing damage. Time for the Broncos pass rush to show up, or this one is going to go down to the wire.
Third-quarter updates
Punting powers (4:18 p.m.): Jeremy Crawshaw’s strong start to the season continues.
Just as we all anticipated. — Gabriel
Engram’s struggles (4:17 p.m.): Engram cannot get in sync. — Renck
Third-down conversion (4:16 p.m.): Third-and-15? No problem. A short catch-and-run by Tyler Badie gets 19 yards and continues Denver’s drive. — Nguyen
Tyler Badie with 19-yard gain on third-and-15. Rewards Payton’s faith in choosing to activate him over McLaughlin. — Renck
Field goal, Colts (4:11 p.m.): The Broncos defense is forcing field goals. Right now, that’s good enough. — Schubert
Broncos defense hasn’t had a good day and yet the difference in this game so far is the red zone.
Denver’s 3/3 compared to now 2/5 for Indianapolis. — Gabriel
Sacked (4:08 p.m.): Justin Strnad goes untouched to sack Daniel Jones. It’s Denver’s first sack of the day. — Nguyen
Vance Joseph is heating up Daniel Jones. Calling more blitz. And Justin Strnad gets #Broncos’ first sack of the game. Gotta make Jones uncomfortable because Shane Steichen is in his bag as a play-caller right now. Making Jones look like Jalen Hurts. — Renck
Took three quarters, but the Broncos finally have their first sack of the game — with Justin Strnad delivering the blow on a blitz. — Schubert
Jukebox (4:04 p.m.): Tyler Warren jukes linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad on same play. Not good. — Renck
Touchdown, Broncos (3:58 p.m.): J.K. Dobbins runs up the right side for a 5-yard touchdown to cap off a seven-play, 60-yard drive. Then he joined Quinn Meinerz for a fun celebrating. Broncos 28, Colts 20 with 11:13 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
Into the end zone ‼️@Jkdobbins22 | 📺: @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/hdxWjyEu4j
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 14, 2025
7 plays, 60 yards on scoring drive after gifted great field position., Nix scramble on third down extended drive. And Dobbins finished with 5-yard run that included some sort of marching in unison celebration with guard Quinn Meinerz. — Renck
Bo knows running (3:55 p.m.): On third-and-4, Bo Nix used his legs to scramble for an 18-yard gain. — Nguyen
The scramble has to be part of Bo Nix’s game. He ran the 400 meters in high school. And it shows up as he gets faster as he runs. And he knows how to slide. — Renck
Kicking flub (3:53 p.m.): The Colts’ kick-off missed the landing zone, so Denver opens its drive at their own 40. — Nguyen
Halftime updates — Broncos 21, Colts 20
Luca Evans, beat reporter: The offense was tested in Week 1. The defense is facing its test in Week 2. Daniel Jones is spraying the ball around at will — 13-of-19 for 236 yards — and the Broncos haven’t been able to touch him or cover tight ends or running backs. That’s the bad news. The good news: Bo Nix is back. This is shaping up as a shootout.
Parker Gabriel, beat reporter: For all the moving parts in this game so far, here’s a simple formula for the second half. If the Broncos can heat up Daniel Jones, they’ll be in great shape. If they repeat the first half — Jones was hit just twice and wasn’t sacked in 19 dropbacks — this is going to get dicey for the visitors down the stretch.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Luca Evans, beat reporter: The offense was tested in Week 1. The defense is facing its test in Week 2. Daniel Jones is spraying the ball around at will — 13-of-19 for 236 yards — and the Broncos haven’t been able to touch him or cover tight ends or running backs. That’s the bad news. The good news: Bo Nix is back. This is shaping up as a shootout.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: The Broncos’ inability to cover tight ends and linebackers remains a massive issue. As Sean Payton told the broadcast going into the halftime break, “We dropped two coverages that can’t happen.” Bo Nix has been brilliant. The ground game packed some punch. Denver’s gonna need both to survive this one in Indy.
Second-quarter updates
Opportunity squandered (3:39 p.m.): Three-and-out for the Broncos on the two-minute drive. The good news? The Colts only have 18 seconds to do something with the ball. The bad news? That was a missed opportunity for Denver. — Schubert
Touchdown, Colts (3:34 p.m.): For all of the obvious terrific play from the Broncos defense in the last year-plus, RBs out of the backfield have given them fits.
Jonathan Taylor feasting today. — Gabriel
Six-play, 81-yard drive for the Colts. Broncos 21, Colts 20 with 1:31 to go. — Nguyen
The Broncos’ big problem has been running backs and tight ends in coverage.
Some might remember that was a bit of an issue last year as well. — Schubert
The Colts have not punted and Daniel Indiana Jones has 236 yards passing. Let that sink in. Broncos lead 21-20 in a game more suited for Peyton Manning circa 2013. — Renck
Time out (3:33 p.m.): Sean Payton was going to start using his timeouts there after Tyler Warren set up first and goal.
But instead Indy has to take one because Quenton Nelson went down.
Either way, Payton clearly wants the ball back with some time to work here. 1:36 left in the first half. — Gabriel
Hand it to the Colts. They do a lot of fun stuff with Tyler Warren. What a special talent. How was this guy the second tight end taken in the draft? — Schubert
Burned (3:31 p.m.): Riley Moss gets burned. It’s gonna happen. At least he did the smart thing and wrapped up.
But the Colts are driving and now it position to go for a touchdown. — Schubert
Flagcatcher (3:30 p.m.): Sutton is doing his job drawing penalty flags. — Schubert
Milk carton (3:26 p.m.): One question despite terrific Broncos offensive first half: where is Evan Engram?
Doesn’t have a catch so far, have seen pretty limited snaps for him. — Evans
Engram appears to be platooning with Adam Trautman. And Trautman is getting more snaps than him. Not sure if that’s a concession to injury or Trautman moving ahead of him on the depth chart. Strange game. Sutton and Engram not a factor and Broncos offense is humming with 21 points, already more than last week. — Renck
Special teams (3:26 p.m.): Broncos have gained 30 yards of field position on four kick covers now. Really good bounceback from Darren Rizzi’s group after they gave up the big hit last week. — Gabriel
Week 1 slum (3:25 p.m.): Bo Nix has shaken his September slump. He has more passing TDS in this half than he had in his previous 5 September games. He’s 12 of 15 for 115 yards. — Renck
Touchdown, Broncos (3:20 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Adam Trautman in the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown pass. The play capped off a 10-play, 50-yard drive. Broncos 21, Colts 13 with 3:03 to go in the half. — Nguyen
Heretofore that will be known as the Howard Drive. He had 3 of the Colts’ four penalties on drive. Two were very questionable. Broncos take advantage. Adam Trautman, who is playing more snaps than Evan Engram, catches 2-yard score. Willingness to run is opening lanes in passing game. — Renck
If you were worried about Bo Nix after Week 1, you can stop now. — Schubert
PI (3:16 p.m.): Generous PI call for Broncos as Sutton appeared to fall before being hit by Xavier Howard.. Colts coach Steichen spews lava, draws unsportsmanlike conduct for running onto the field. Huge boost for Broncos. — Renck
Surtain update (3:16 p.m.): Surtain just finished a running and cutting progression and got his helmet back from the trainers. He walked back down to the defensive part of the bench just now.
So, we’ll see. But looks like good signs there for the DPOY. — Renck
Challenge fails (3:13 p.m.): Call stands. Colts are down a challenge. And the Broncos have a first down. — Schubert
Challenge (3:11 p.m.): Pat Bryant with a man’s catch on third down. The Colts are going to challenge the first down call, and they might win it. — Schubert
Fourth-down attempt (3:07 p.m.): The Broncos defensive front bows up at midfield. Looks like Dondrea Tillman is the man who made the play on Tyler Warren on fourth and 1. — Schubert
For Surtain to go out with injury and Deondre Tillman to stuff Tyler Warren on fourth-and-1 is the kind of statement a great defense makes. — Renck
Injury (3:03 p.m.): Pat Surtain is grabbing his left ankle. — Nguyen
Surtain walks off with help of trainers and is heading to the blue tent. Gingerly walking.
Some are saying Surtain might have taken a cleat to his left shin. — Renck
Surtain’s being helped to the medical tent with an arm draped around each of Beau Lowery and Dr. Karim Meijer.
Looked like he was pointing/grabbing at his left lower leg while on the ground. — Gabriel
Special teams (3:00 p.m.): Broncos have tightened up their kick coverage so far this week.
They’ve covered three and gained 19 yards of field position over taking touchbacks.
Indy’s starting FP after kickoffs: Own 28, own 30, own 28. — Gabriel
Touchdown, Broncos (2:55 p.m.): Beauty of running the ball is that it holds backers and forces defense to make tough decisions. Nix with easy pitch and catch to wide open Franklin for 3-yard score. Broncos lead 14-13 after 7 play, 67-yard drive. — Renck
What a Ducking drive there for Bo Nix and Troy Franklin. — Gabriel
The Troy Franklin Drive: 4 targets. 4 catches. 58 yards. Touchdown.
Bo Nix through three drives: 8/9, 101 yards, 2 TD, 0 int
Has looked completely crisp with footwork, comfortable in/outside pocket, operating with much better pace than last week. — Evans
That sound you hear is thousands of fantasy football managers scrambling to see if Troy Franklin in on the waiver wire. — Schubert
Spinaroonie (2:53 p.m.): When do you think the last time Adam Trautman hit a spin move in a game was? Dayton Flyer days? — Gabriel
It happened! (2:52 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Troy Franklin for a monster 42-yard catch. — Nguyen
Bo Nix, magician on the scramble drill, and the Broncos are in business.
This is the Bo Nix-Troy Franklin chemistry we dreamed of back in April 2024. — Schubert
Man. Troy Franklin’s leap is real. Just excellent awareness to fly deep once Bo Nix went into a scramble routine, terrific outstretched grab in stride for 42. Great ball from Nix on the move. — Evans
Best part of that pass by Nix is that he scrambled right. Last week he was bootlegging to his left. Didn’t make sense. — Renck
Touchdown, Colts (2:49 p.m.): Daniel Jones in on the sneak. First TD allowed by the Broncos this season.
This Indy offense looks legit. — Gabriel
They keep saying it on the broadcast: The Colts offense has scored points on every drive so far this season. — Schubert
Colts score on Jones QB sneak. Colts lead 13-7 with 14:12 left in the first. Broncos defense not as advertised thus far. As Parker noted, Colts have scored on every possession this season, 10-for-10 and counting. — Renck
First-quarter thoughts — Broncos 7, Colts 6
Luca Evans, beat writer: Daniel Jones is … carving the Broncos up. The main culprit? Linebackers being involved in coverage. Tyler Warren and Jonathan Taylor have each broken off explosive pass plays. Denver’s defense needs Dre Greenlaw. Broncos’ offense with a much nicer run-pass distribution through one quarter, though.
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Colts had 162 yards in the first half. Tennessee had 133 the entire game last weekend.
And Indy has still scored on every possession of its season so far. Colts look legit. This is going to be a fight.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos defense gave up nine first downs in the first quarter. and 139 yards passing. Didn’t expect that. That won’t work. Would expect Denver’s D to settle down. But need more pressure on Jones.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Dre Greenlaw’s absence really showed up on that third Indy drive. The Colts are on the doorstep of a touchdown, and they’ve moved the ball well early on. Sean Payton and the offense are going to have to be productive today if the Broncos are going to move to 2-0.
First-quarter updates
Linebacker issues (2:43 p.m.): Again, linebackers in coverage and it’s a problem for the Broncos. Nobody near Johnathan Taylor there. — Schubert
Colts hit the big one to Taylor on a third-and-short wheel route. Singleton got caught up in the wash trying to run to the flat.
This would be a really good game to have Dre Greenlaw available. — Gabriel
Safeties (2:42 p.m.): Interesting: We got one snap of Jahdae Barron playing safety next to Hufanga. Jones was on the sideline. But clearly not injured because they went back to normal alignment after one snap. — Gabriel
Defensive penalty (2:40 p.m.): Justin Strnad flagged for pass interference in coverage. This is the sort of game where the Broncos could really use a healthy Dre Greenlaw. — Schubert
Three-and-out (2:38 p.m.): Not a great drive for Denver. Three plays, 6 yards. The Broncos have to punt. Now the defense needs to try and stop Indy, who has scored on every offensive drive this year. — Nguyen
That’s Mekhi Blackmon, the former CU Buff, in coverage to deny Courtland Sutton on that third-down stop. — Evans
Bad news is Broncos’ drive stalled. Good news Crawshaw Redemption unleashed 47-yard punt. — Renck
Don’t love the play on third-and-short from the Broncos. No play-action and then a prayer fade to Courtland Sutton in one-on-one coverage. — Schubert
Zone game (2:36 p.m.): The Broncos’ outside zone game is percolating, folks. — Gabriel
Field goal, Colts (2:32 p.m.): Riley Moss might have gotten away with a PI … He defends pass in the end zone. And then plays the villain, cupping hand to earhole on helmet, egging on booing crowd. Colts settle for field goal. Broncos lead 7-6 with 3:19 left in first. Moss plays with extreme confidence. — Renck
Jonah Elliss gets credit for ending that drive in the red zone, but Riley Moss is also brilliant in man coverage — again. Fantastic breakup on third down in the end zone.
Speaking of Riley Moss, our guy Luca Evans learned he’s also a great hang. — Schubert
The Dirtman roughed up Alec Pierce right there. Broncos’ defense bends but doesn’t break for the second straight drive. — Evans
Sacked (2:31 p.m.): The Jonah Elliss breakout is happening. — Gabriel
Huge play (2:29 p.m.): Tyler Warren is going to be good for a long, long time. — Renck
The Chicago Bears passed on that guy … for reasons? — Schubert
Colts already showing off Tyler Warren. Lines up in the backfield, sneaks out for a 39-yard-grab, found a hole in Broncos’ coverage. Alex Singleton couldn’t keep up there. — Evans
Touchdown, Broncos (2:24 p.m.): Broncos answer Indy’s score with a six-play, 64-yard drive that was capped off by a 23-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix to Marvin Mims Jr. Broncos 7, Indianapolis 3 with 8:24 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
Bo Nix, hello. — Gabriel
Nix could not wait to play this week after his disappointing opener. Throws dime to Mims for TD. Broncos offense has its best series since the opening one against Bills in the playoffs last year. — Renck
That was a ball from Bo Nix. Broncos execute that first offensive drive about as perfectly as you could imagine. Sean Payton attacking a decimated Colts secondary. — Evans
Looked like Bo Nix checked into that play with Marvin Mims, Jr. single covered. — Schubert
More running (2:21 p.m.): Broncos’ first three offensive plays are between-the-tackles runs for J.K. Dobbins. Clear commitment to the ground game from Sean Payton. — Gabriel
Zone blocking is working. And Dobbins is putting his foot in the ground and getting North and South. — Renck
Run first (2:19 p.m.): Denver opens its drive with a run play, an 18-yard run by J.K. Dobbins. — Nguyen
Run play … on the first snap?!?!? For a big gain?!?!?! Oh, that’s a good sign. — Schubert
Field goal, Colts (2:15 p.m.): Colts settle for the field goal by Spencer Schrader, who nails a 29-yard field goal. Denver’s defense bent but didn’t break. Colts 3, Broncos 0 with 11:51 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
Broncos bowed up in the red zone and went to the Death Lineup — dime with Ja’Quan McMillian and Jahdae Barron — on third-and-7. Good coverage across the board, Jones had nowhere to go. — Gabriel
The proverbial four-point play. Broncos defense stiffens with good pressure on Jones. Bonitto forced the rush throw as Colts settle for 29-yard FG. Not ideal to trail on the road. But 3 points much more palatable. — Renck
We saw Pat Surtain II shadowing Tyler Warren there, completely cutting off a read for Daniel Jones on a 3rd-and-7. Really intriguing to see how Vance Joseph handles the rookie TE today. — Evans
Passing attack (2:13 p.m.): Colts HC Shane Steichen’s getting after the Broncos’ safeties so far. Denver plays a ton of man and that’s clearly a matchup Indy thinks it can exploit with its speed at WR. — Gabriel
Personal foul (2:12 p.m.): Colts moving well on their opening drive. Nik Bonitto’s roughing-the-passer call puts them in the red zone. — Nguyen
Listen, if we’re going to call that roughing the passer, we should just put red jerseys on the quarterbacks. — Schubert
Injury update (2:08 p.m.): Allen runs off the field. So appears to be OK. Exhale Broncos Country. — Renck
Looked bad there for Zach Allen but after a minute he got some help up and jogged off the field on his own. — Gabriel
Injury (2:07 p.m.): Jahdae Barron started in the nickel. And on second down, Zach Allen hurt. Trainers tending to him. — Renck
Broncos game captains (2:05 p.m.): Bo Nix and four defenders — Pat Surtain II, Talanoa Hufanga, D.J. Jones and Alex Singleton. Denver won the toss, deferred and then did a good job covering the kick. — Gabriel
Pre-game updates
Active (1:03 p.m.): RB Tyler Badie is again active for gameday vs. Colts over Jaleel McLaughlin. It was clear Friday from Sean Payton’s comments that Broncos valued Badie’s pass-pro ability against Colts’ variety of late-down pressure looks. — Evans
Inactives (12:34 p.m.): Broncos have the same inactives as last week.
- QB Sam Ehlinger (3rd QB)
- RB Jaleel McLaughlin
- OLB Que Robinson
- OT Frank Crum
- DL Sai’Vion Jones
- ILB Dre Greenlaw (quad)
- TE Nate Adkins (ankle)
ILB Dre Greenlaw obviously already ruled out for this game due to the quad, but he’s on the trip. Walking up and down the sideline at the moment. — Gabriel
Travel strong (12:05 p.m.): Walking from the hotel to Lucas Oil, plenty of Broncos Country fans made the trip. Good chunk of Peyton Manning, Pat Surtain II and Bo Nix jerseys. This is a tough place to play. Last two games I covered here, ageless Joe Flacco ripped the Broncos coaching staff for being gutless and not trying to win. And Brock Osweiler played the game of his life in a win. — Renck
Good afternoon from Lucas Oil Stadium (11:28 a.m.): It’s a beautiful day in Indianapolis but, interestingly, the retractable roof here is set to be closed today and currently the windows are closed, too.
Players have trickled out here still nearly three hours from kickoff, so plenty of updates to come there.
One matchup to watch throughout the day today: Broncos DT Zach Allen vs. Indy guard Quenton Nelson. Two of the best in the business. Allen told me all about their chess match in December last year for this story recently and now they get a Round 2.
Scouting report (11 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Colts in Luca Evans’ scouting report.
Game predictions
Broncos-Colts NFL Week 2: Must-reads
Dirtman and The Prototype: Why Broncos’ Riley Moss is wired for the pressure as Pat Surtain’s CB2
Moss knows the story and the stereotypes: first white corner to start in the NFL since 2003. He’s had a “runt-of-the-litter” attitude, as Koerner described, since growing up dreaming of playing outside corner in central Iowa. He was a two-star recruit who began his career at Iowa as a preferred walk-on, a track star with little refined football sense. Moss has the word “underdog” tattooed on his ribs, with the definition scrawled underneath.
He has now become one of the most important pieces of a Broncos defense with championship hopes, primarily because of the guy he’s next to. A guy whose story couldn’t be more different. Pat Surtain II, the NFL’s reigning defensive player of the year, was made for this: The son of a Pro Bowl corner, the No. 1 corner in his recruiting class and the gem of Nick Saban’s Alabama program. Luca Evans reports. Read the full story.
Renck: Broncos’ offensive improvement starts with Sean Payton. And he knows it.
The admission became a confession. Answering a question about Bo Nix’s disappointing Week 1 performance, coach Sean Payton volunteered that he failed him.
“I don’t know how many games I’ve called, but that’s one of them where I came away from it like, ‘I have to be a lot better,’ ” Payton said.
Payton’s resume tells you he’s a great coach. But can he still be a great coach when it matters most? Against good teams? On the road? In September? Payton, the coach, has been a home-run hire. Payton, the offensive coordinator, has ground to cover. Read Troy Renck’s column.
Could Broncos shuffle their RB rotation? Here’s why Sean Payton likes Tyler Badie.
The 2022 Ravens sixth-round pick out of Missouri showed some playmaking ability for Denver last year in limited duty before a back injury cost him 14 weeks. He first staked his claim to the 53-man roster this season partially on his pass protection abilities, then that skill set helped him crack the active gameday roster.
The Broncos had a clearly defined set of roles for their trio in Week 1. Harvey and Dobbins split the regular-down work. Dobbins got the most snaps (53%) compared to Harvey’s 29%, and an outsized carry share, with 16 compared to Harvey’s 6.
That balance tilted heavily down the stretch. Harvey’s final two touches were the 50-yard lightning bolt at the 9-minute mark of the fourth quarter and then a 5-yard run on the next snap, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
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