DENVER (AP) — Matt Ryan kept the faith through all the sacks, interceptions, fumbles and three-and-outs that made for a streaming snooze-fest Thursday night.
“It was just kind of a slog of a game,” the Indianapolis quarterback said after Stephon Gilmore chipped away Russell Wilson’s pass to Courtland Sutton in the end zone on fourth and 1-of-5 to give the Colts a 12-9 overtime Victory over the Denver Broncos.
The game included seven field goals, a dozen punts, 25 third-down stops, four interceptions and six fumbles — none of which were recovered by otherwise disruptive defense.
“Our defense played without light,” said Ryan, who emerged victorious despite six layoffs, which gave him 21 so far this season, threw two interceptions to Caden Sterns and fumbled for a 10th time this season.
“We definitely have to play better, but I’m proud of the boys,” said Ryan. “Wins are what we need. We’re right in the middle. … I thought the two rides at the end showed a lot of guys. You just keep fighting – and it helps if your defenses knock them out too.”
Gilmore also intercepted Wilson’s pass just before the 2-minute mark of the fourth quarter to set up Chase McLaughlin’s binding field goal by 5 seconds.
“That’s the definition of a big player making big games at the moment,” Colts coach Frank Reich said of Gilmore. “Isn’t it great that you can have a game like this and still win?”
McLauglin hit 4-10 overtime from 47 yards to give the Colts (2-2-1) the lead in the first game in NFL history in which quarterbacks with at least four Pro Bowl appearances each pitted , but had no touchdowns.
The Broncos (2-3) chose against a crucial chip-shot field goal from Brandon McManus or even a first-down play on the fourth and less than a yard from the 5, and Wilson put in next the shotgun to running back Melvin Gordon, then incompletely threw over the middle.
“We wanted to win the game,” said Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett. “We hadn’t moved the ball very well all night and I thought we had a spectacular drive to get all the way down.”
Wide open and uncovered — but unseen by Wilson — was KJ Hamler, ripping off his helmet and slamming it to the ground after Wilson’s final pass was smashed away, sending the Broncos and their terrifying offense to their second loss in four days .
“There’s going to be a lot of what-if questions,” said Broncos guard Dalton Risner. “You know what, if we score that touchdown, everyone thinks it’s the best call in the world.”
McLaughlin sent it into overtime with a 31-yarder after Gilmore intercepted Wilson’s pass to Jerry Jeudy in the end zone on third and fourth of the 13.
“I just can’t throw that,” Wilson lamented. “Have to throw it out of the frame when it’s not there.”
Wilson was fired four times and picked up twice. His four TD throws in five games mark the worst start of his 11-year career, and he hasn’t looked the way the Broncos expected after handing him a $245 million contract extension ahead of his first snap for Denver. dollars had granted.
“It’s very simple: At the end of the day, I have to be better,” Wilson said. “I have to play better. I let the team down tonight. One thing I know about myself is that I will react.”
The game brought in veteran quarterbacks who struggled with their new teams. It looked like neither team had practiced much during the week because neither team was working on new running backs and key defensive substitutes in a short work week.
And as is usual on Thursday nights, there were a number of injuries, the most serious of which were Indy’s Kwity Payne (leg) and Denver’s Garett Bolles (right knee), both of whom were evacuated.
With reigning NFL champion Jonathan Taylor (ankle, toe) out for Indy and the Broncos mourning the loss of Javonte Williams to a shredded right knee, the grind-it-out nature of the game was fully to be expected.
The Colts came out averaging 14.3 points, the lowest in Ryan’s 16-year career, and the Broncos went into the night averaging 16.5 points, the worst in Wilson’s 11-year career.
Nyheim Hines had the start for Indy, but he walked out after his third snap with a head injury when DJ Jones knocked him out and Hines’ helmet hit the ground. He wobbled trying to leave the field alone and had to be led to the touchline, where he was checked for a concussion.
REVENGE OR SALVATION
Many fans wondered if this game would be a game of revenge – Phillip Lindsay returned to his hometown to beat the Broncos – or of redemption – Gordon atoned for his big fumble on Sunday, throwing 68 yards for a touchdown from the Raiders was returned.
It turned out it wasn’t either.
Lindsay rushed for 40 yards on 11 carries and Gordon had 54 yards on 15 carries, and he was flipped over by safety Rodney McLoyd Jr. en route to the end zone when it looked like he had an open path to the winning touchdown.
KICK YOURSELF
While McLaughlin was good from 52, 51, 31, and 48 yards, Brandon McManus was good from 33, 44, and 45 yards, but his 34-yard attempt was blocked by Grover Stewart in the third quarter.
INJURIES
Paye was injured on Rodney Thomas II’s 35-yard interception return. Starting C Ryan Kelly (hip) and WR Austin Dulin (foot) were also injured.
The Broncos lost two starting defensemen to knee injuries, ILB Josey Jewell and CB Ronald Darby, just before halftime. DE Dre’Mont Jones (head) and LB Baron Browning (wrist) sustained injuries, as did Bolles in the second half.
NEXT
The Colts host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, October 16, and the Broncos visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, October 17.
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