Demaryius Thomas catches a 1-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning in the first quarter. (Tim Rasmussen, The Denver Post)
The Broncos’ season ended with a thud, a 24-13 loss to the Colts in a divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday. Here were the notable and not-so-notable moments from the loss.
C.J. A-OK: C.J. Anderson provided hope on a memorable fourth-down run. He bounced off three tacklers to keep a drive breathing. He delivered in the biggest game of his career.
Welcome back, Julius: Julius Thomas, a ghost in the game plan the past six weeks due to a left ankle injury, caught a 32-yard first-quarter pass and forced an interference call at the goal line. It tied for his second-longest reception of the season.
Marshall plan: LB Brandon Marshall fought through his injured left foot to play significant snaps. His inability to stay on the field throughout, though, hurt the Broncos in coverage.
Slot machine: The Broncos elected to match cornerback Aqib Talib with T.Y. Hilton rather than Chris Harris. It proved a mistake. Referees flagged Talib for two first-half penalties, and he gave up chunk plays to the speedy slot receiver.
Newsome troublesome: Colts defensive end Jonathan Newsome raced around left tackle Ryan Clady as if he were a pylon, sacking Peyton Manning and causing a fumble that led to the Colts’ second score.
Drop back: Demaryius Thomas picked a bad day to have a bad day. He dropped two short first-half passes.
INTERACTIVE:Grade the Broncos’ performance
Offense: The Colts dared Peyton Manning to beat them deep, and unwisely the Broncos tried to oblige. Manning overthrew receivers eight times in the first half, topping his previous high for a game. Manning began 3-for-3 and completed four of his next 15 passes. He lacked zip on throws, and his receivers were unable to get open against press coverage. C.J. Anderson provided the lone spark, including a memorable 7-yard pinball run on fourth down. Grade: F
Defense: The Broncos whiffed on the strategical decision to place Aqib Talib on T.Y. Hilton. Hilton worked him over on two big plays and drew two holding penalties. Brandon Marshall started at weakside linebacker, led the team in tackles at half, but periodic rest left Todd Davis vulnerable in coverage. The Inability to create consistent pressure on Andrew Luck sabotaged the Broncos. He shredded them, stepping up in the pocket for easy strikes. Itap inexcusable the Broncos didn’t blitz more. Grade: D
Special Teams: Connor Barth prevented the Broncos’ worst first half since the loss to the Rams with a 45-yard field goal. He cut the deficit to 21-13 with a 41-yarder. Omar Bolden created a what appeared to be a fumble on a punt return tackle of Josh Cribbs that was overturned. Grade: B+
Coaching: The Broncos insisted they were loose yet played like a stretched rubber band. They fell into a trap offensively of using a vertical passing game, and showed a reluctance to blitz that led to Manning’s ninth one-and-done in the postseason. Grade: F
Andrew Luck: Rifled crisp passes, avoided sacks. Put on a clinic.
Gene Manusky: Colts defensive coordinator befuddled the Broncos.
C.J. Anderson: Broncos’ best player on field. And it wasn’t close.
