The Indianapolis Colts take on the Denver Broncos in an AFC battle on Thursday Night Football to open Week 5 of the NFL season.
The Colts (1-2-1) look to turn their season around with a road win, while the Broncos (2-2) hope to top .500 with a home win. Both teams enter Thursday’s tournament third in their respective divisions.
Indy is without starting running back Jonathan Taylor, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, while Denver is without star running back Javonte Williams, who is out for the year after tearing his ACL in Week 4.
Here are the best plays from Thursday’s matchup.
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
rough start
Misfortune struck the Colts early when Nyheim Hines, who was expected to be heavily involved in Thursday’s action with Taylor out, was injured on the first drive of the game.
He was taken directly to the locker room to be evaluated for a head injury. Since then, he has been ruled out for the rest of the game due to the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Moving
Denver moved the chains on its first drive, which included an impressive 18-yard catch by Russell Wilson. But the Broncos stalled in the red zone and settled for a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
gaining momentum
Colts running back Deon Jackson was able to provide a small spark for Indy as the first quarter began.
Broncos get it back
It was more trouble for the Colts, as Matt Ryan threw an interception in the red zone midway through the second quarter. Denver safety Caden Sterns engineered the interception and returned it 23 yards to return the ball to the Broncos after they took a 6-0 lead with his second field goal of the game.
down goes
The Broncos’ defense was a force to be reckoned with in this one, sacking Ryan four times in the first half, two of which came on the Colts’ second-quarter final drive.
However, Indianapolis was able to avoid a shutout by scoring a field goal before halftime to keep things close.
Bombs away!
Denver finally came up with a monster play in the third quarter, when Wilson found Courtland Sutton on a 51-yard strike up the middle.
Denied
The big gain helped move the Broncos downfield, but things remained tied after the Colts blocked Denver’s next field goal attempt.
double trouble
The Broncos made up for the missed opportunity when Sterns had his second interception of the night, intercepting Ryan just outside Denver’s red zone.
The turnover gave the Broncos great field position, which they converted into three points on the next series. It was a three-point match, 9-6, heading into the fourth quarter.
return the favour
There was another fumble late in the fourth quarter, this time with the Colts defense intercepting Wilson.
Wilson briefly visited the medical tent for a possible head injury before rejoining the game on the Broncos’ next series.
Stay tuned for updates.
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