INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos looks on prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Broncos fall to the Colts 29-28 on a last second field goal after a controversial leveraging penalty. Below is the recap and postgame interviews:
The Indianapolis Colts started with the ball on offense and after a short gain on the ground, Daniel Jones found Josh Downs for a 19 yard gain and the Colts were quickly into Denver territory. Jones found Downs again for another 1st down and then a weak personal foul against Nik Bonitto got the Colts inside the Red Zone. On 3rd and 7 from the Broncos 11 yard line, the Broncos defense pressured Jones and the coverage was supreme, forcing an incomplete pass. Shrader converts a 29 yard field goal and the Colts took an early 3-0 lead with 11:51 remaining in the 1st quarte.
The Broncos offense took the field and immediately went to the ground game and JK Dobbins found 18 yards immediately. Dobbins gained another 1st down a couple plays later and Denver was quickly into Colts territory. Pat Bryant made his first catch of the game to get the Broncos another 1st down and then on the very next play, Bo Nix found Marvin Mims down the right sideline for a 23 yard touchdown! Broncos took the lead 7-3 with 8:24 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Daniel Jones and the Colts went back to work and quickly moved into the Red Zone after Jones found Tyler Warren for a 41 yard catch and run. Jonah Ellis was able to sack Jones forcing another 3rd and long attempt and the pass was incomplete after Riley Moss broke it up. Shrader converted another short field goal and pulled within 1 point, 7-6 with 4:19 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Unfortunately, the Broncos weren't able to find similar success and quickly went 3 and out, punting it back to Indy.
Indianapolis didn't waste any time getting back into scoring position. After a DPI on Pat Surtain, Jones found Jonathon Taylor on 3rd and 2 for a 43 yard catch and run to put the Colts into the Red Zone. As we began the 2nd quarter, Daniel Jones punched it in on a QB sneak to put the Colts back in front 13-7.
The Broncos offense was looking to respond and Troy Franklin came to life! First it was a 42 yard catch and run down the left sideline to get the Broncos into scoring territory and then a couple plays later had a 16 yard reception to give the Broncos a goal to go opportunity at the 2 yard line. Two plays later, Bo Nix found a wide open Franklin over the on the right side for a walk in touchdown and the Broncos bounced back in front 14-13 with 10:42 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
The Colts marched back to midfield facing a 4th and 1 at the 50. Pat Surtain took a weird step and left the game with what appeared like an ankle injury. Tyler Warren took the handoff but Dondrea Tillman stuffed him and the Broncos got the ball back with a chance to add to their lead!
On 3rd and 6, Bo Nix hit Pat Bryant on a slant on the left side and the Broncos kept the drive going now firmly in field goal range. A huge DPI and then an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty put the Broncos offense inside the Red Zone. Xavien Howard would end up getting 3 penalties on the drive and eventually on 2nd and goal from the 2 yard line, Bo Nix rolled out and found Adam Trautman wide open in the back of the end zone to extend the lead 21-13 with 3:03 remaining in the first half.
Pat Surtain was thankfully back on the field for the next Colts drive that started from their 19 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 3 at their own 26 yard line, the Colts Josh Downs beat Riley Moss on an out route and got a 1st down. Alec Pierce caught a 45 yard pass down the right sideline and the Colts were quickly inside the Red Zone. Tyler Warren a 14 yard pass and took it to the 7 yard line and on the next play, Daniel Jones found Taylor on a wide open walk in touchdown on the right side. Broncos lead cut to 1, 21-20 with 1:31 remaining in the 1st half.
Broncos offense were trying to get some point before half but couldn't get a 1st down and punted it back to Indianapolis who, after a penalty, started a drive at the 7 yard line but would run out the clock.
Bo Nix and the Broncos offense got the ball out of halftime starting from their own 40 after Shrader didn't get the ball to the landing zone. JK Dobbins gained 5 yards on the first carry of the drive and would end the drive with a 5 yard touchdown run as the offense marched right down the field to extend their lead 28-20. Bo Nix had an incredible 18 yard scramble on 3rd down and RJ Harvey had a 16 yard reception to help the drive.
Daniel Jones and the Colts offense went to work from their own 40 yard line after a nice return by Adam Dulin. Tyler Warren caught the first pass of the drive and Indy was quickly into Denver territory. Michael Pittman caught a 12 yard route to get the Colts close to the Red Zone and Indianapolis was knocking on the door again however, for the 3rd time in the game, the defense bent but didn't break. Justin Strnad came up with a huge sack that effectively killed the drive. Spencer Shrader converted a 36 yard field goal and the Broncos lead now 28-23 with 5:42 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The Broncos offense started their next drive from their 35 yard line and were facing a 3rd and 15 before Tyler Badie took a screen pass for 19 yards and into Colts territory! Unfortunately, the drive stalled out a couple plays later and Denver punted it back to Indianapolis who started deep in their own territory at their 8 yard line with 2:43 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
On 3rd and 2, Jones hit Warren for a 1st down and the Colts worked out of the shadow of their end zone. A slant to Pittman got Indy near midfield. On 4th and from the 50 yard line, the Broncos got pressure on Jones and his pass fell incomplete! The Broncos took over with a chance to add to the lead!
TyQuan Lewis got called for roughing the passer on 1st down and the ball was quickly at the Colts 35 yard line. The Broncos were in field goal range at the 28 yard line but on 3rd and 3, Nix pass went over Sutton's head and was picked off by Cam Bynum.
Jonathon Taylor took over and had a 68 yard run all the way down to the Broncos 12 yard line...Talanoa Hufanga chased him down to prevent a touchdown and it proved to be consequential as a couple plays later Jonathon Cooper almost intercepted Daniel Jones but the defense shut down the Colts offense in the Red Zone AGAIN. After a short field goal, the Broncos lead cut into again 28-26.
JK Dobbins had some clutch runs including a 23 yard run that got them into field goal range but an Adam Trautman facemask penalty backed them out of range. A quick screen to Franklin for 15 yards got the Broncos back into range but Wil Lutz would go on to miss the 42 yard attempt, giving the Colts back the ball with 3:15 remaining in the game only trailing by 2.
The Colts moved into position to attempt a 60 yard field goal...Shrader's attempt wasn't even close but Uwazerike got called for leveraging and the ball was moved 15 yards closer. Shrader made the 2nd attempt, this from 45 yards out, and the Broncos lose 29-28.
The next broadcast will be on Sunday, September 21st as the Broncos are in Los Angeles to take on the Chargers. Coverage starts on KOA at 8am.
Below is the postgame interview with Bo Nix