Shrader converts 45-yard FG after penalty, Colts eke previous Broncos

INDIANAPOLIS — Spencer Shrader made a 45-year-old discipline objective with no time left after the Broncos have been penalized for leverage on his missed 60-yard attempt, and the Indianapolis Colts beat Denver 29-28 on Sunday for his or her first 2-0 begin since 2009.

Trailing by two with 3:15 left, the Colts performed conservatively on their last drive, with Jonathan Taylor working the ball seven occasions and Daniel Jones throwing just one cross. These performs netted 26 yards and arrange Shrader’s try from the Colts brand at midfield that missed quick and proper.

However Dondrea Tillman was flagged for leverage — utilizing a teammate to vault himself into the air to attempt to block the kick. The 15-yard personal-foul penalty put Indy properly inside Shrader’s vary, and he simply transformed his fifth discipline objective of the sport.

Jones went 23 of 34 for 316 yards and a landing. He additionally scored on a 1-yard run in his second begin with the Colts. It was his first 300-yard recreation since throwing for 321 yards on Sept. 17, 2023, for the New York Giants.

Taylor completed with 25 carries for 165 yards, caught a TD cross and posted the twenty fifth 100-yard recreation of his profession, breaking a tie for second in franchise historical past with Corridor of Famer Eric Dickerson.

Bo Nix completed 22 of 30 for 206 yards with three TDs — all within the first half — and one interception for Denver (1-1). Troy Franklin had a landing catch and completed with profession bests of eight catches for 89 yards. J.Ok. Dobbins rushed 14 occasions for 76 yards and a rating.

However the Broncos could not put it away after transferring to the Colts 24-yard line late within the fourth quarter. Wil Lutz clanked a 42-yard discipline objective off the fitting upright to arrange the Colts’ last drive.

It was a surprisingly high-scoring recreation from two defenses that have been among the many stingiest within the league final week. There have been solely three punts, all by Denver. Indy prevented punting for the second straight week, matching a feat the Washington Commanders achieved in Weeks 2 and three final season.

Shrader made discipline targets of 36 and 28 yards to chop a 28-20 deficit to 2 after Dobbins’ rating made it 28-20 early within the third quarter.

Final week, the Colts grew to become the primary group to attain on each possession since 1977. This week, they opened with two discipline targets and a TD on their first three drives to make it 10 for 10.

The streak ended when tight finish Tyler Warren was stopped in need of a primary down on a fourth-and-1 run with 7:28 left within the first half. Then the Colts misplaced their cool on Denver’s ensuing 50-yard TD drive, drawing 4 penalties, together with an unsportsmanlike conduct name on Indy’s sideline after coach Shane Steichen tossed his hat and ran down the sector to argue a cross interference name on third-and-7.

Broncos: Cornerback Patrick Surtain II, final yr’s NFL defensive participant of the yr, wanted assist to get off the sector within the first half with an injured left ankle however returned on the subsequent sequence after getting the ankle taped. Zach Allen additionally got here out early however returned.

Colts: All-Professional left guard Quenton Nelson appeared to harm his knee within the last two minutes of the primary half however returned after halftime.

Broncos: Go to the Los Angeles Chargers subsequent Sunday.

Colts: Play their first away recreation subsequent Sunday at Tennessee.