Omar Bolden (31) of the Denver Broncos gets past Pat McAfee (1) of the Indianapolis Colts on his touchdown punt return Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Nov. 8, 2015. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)
The best and worst from the Broncos’ 27-24 loss to Indianapolis in their Week 9 game on Sunday…
Omar Bolden sparks jolt into lifeless Broncos. For 29 minutes and 45 seconds, the Broncos were flat. Bolden changed that with a few quick moves, a couple of key blocks and an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown. It was the first punt return to end a half since Desean Jackson, then an Eagles receiver, did it in 2010 against the Giants.
One-man wrecking crew. You wouldn’t be able to tell by the box score, but defensive end Malik Jackson had himself a game. He will get paid a lot money this offseason, by somebody.
Don’t forget about O.D. The Broncos traded for Vernon Davis, hoping for a true threat at tight end. Owen Daniels must have took offense. He had his best game of the season, six catches, 102 yards and a touchdown.
35 yards. That’s all the Broncos running backs C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman mustered on 14 carries Sunday. The run-pass imbalance was at its peak with 37 dropbacks by comparison. Hillman, who battled a thigh injury last week, rushed for one yard on seven carries.
Pick-fest. The interceptions have to stop for Peyton Manning. He’s thrown a NFL-leading 13 INTs and they are preventing this team from taking the next step offensively.
Undisciplined teams lose. It can’t be harped on enough. The Broncos had three dead ball personal foul penalties, two on cornerback Aqib Talib on the Colts’ last possession.
