Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts Recap

Broncos 16 - Colts 28

Just like every week Indianapolis comes out and they have a job to do, and they do it well. The Colts are an efficient football team, they make the plays they need to make and they make things happen. I honestly thought that the game today would have been closer than it was, I was wrong. Indianapolis came out like a house of fire, set and determined to make things happen against the Broncos. Up for grabs today not just remaining undefeated for the Colts but also (the big thing) clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs, mission accomplished.

As I said Indy came out on fire scoring the first three touchdowns of the game, the first was a five yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning to Austin Collie to set the tone for the day. Next Manning hit Dallas Clark for a ten yard TD reception making the score Indianapolis 14 and Denver 0. Then it was that same combination Manning to Clark for a one yard touchdown pass, and everyone was saying it is all but over; thing is when you have Brandon Marshall on the other team it is never over. Marshall set a team record and an NFL record by catching 21 passes and one of those were a five yard touchdown pass before the half making the score Indy 21 and Denver 7. The third quarter was lack luster neither team scored, which for Denver was key they needed to pull closer to Indy but the defense was stout on both sides. In the forth quarter the offenses started to come alive it started with the Broncos getting a field goal from Matt Prater to make the score, Indy 21 and Denver 10. It seemed that the Broncos were finding the rhythm when Orton hit Marshall for a five yard touchdown strike drawing Denver closer to Indianapolis 21 to 16 (Denver missed the two point conversion). That would be it for Denver as far as scoring but Indianapolis had one more score in them as Manning hit Clark for his third touchdown reception of the day making the final score, Indianapolis 28 and Denver 16.

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There were a few big stories in this game, Indianapolis remaining undefeated and clinching home field but even bigger the Colts broke the record for most wins in a row in the regular season with 22 surpassing the New England Patriots (and that will make all the Colts fans smile for two reasons). Another record that was broken was by Brandon Marshall as he caught 21 passes for 200 yards, twenty-one passes by one receiver in a game is an amazing feat especially when you remember all the problem Marshall and the Broncos had early in the season. So kudos to Marshall and the Broncos for putting the past behind them and looking forward to what the future holds for both.

Indianapolis has done what it set out to do, they clinched their division and then clinched home field advantage so what is left? As the Colts often do it is probably time to rest those key players and get healthy to make that run during the playoffs. Indianapolis has not had the best of luck in the past when resting players but with the defense that is smaller than most but more athletic than others rest is well needed, especially for those trying to get back to playing form. Indy’s next opponent will be the Jacksonville Jaguars in a Thursday night battle; be sure to check back to profootball-fans.com to get the game preview this week.

By Sam Adams
Pro Football Fans Indianapolis Colts Correspondent