Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver hosts the Colts at Empower Field at Mile High.
Live updates
FINAL | Broncos 31, Colts 13
Nik Bonitto turned in perhaps the biggest play of his career to date early in the fourth quarter Sunday against Indianapolis when he snatched a lazy lateral pass right at midfield, raced 50 yards to pay dirt and sent the 76,496 at Empower Field into a frenzy.
The touchdown put the Broncos up nine in an eventual 31-13 win over the Colts.
It capped a lightning-quick sequence in which Denver turned a potential letdown of cataclysmic proportions into yet another rollicking victory. It helped deliver the Broncos to a 9-5 mark and to the doorstep of ending the second-longest postseason drought in the league. Read Parker Gabriel’s full story.
More Broncos coverage:
- Renck: Broncos won, but Bad Bo Nix and Stubborn Sean Payton both have to be better, or they won’t finish the job.
- Keeler: apountry’s Not-So-Secret Santa? Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, whose unforced fumble fueled amazing Broncos rally.
- PHOTOS: Denver Broncos win 31-13 over Indianapolis Colts in NFL Week 15.
- apB Pat Surtain II suffers ankle injury in win vs. Colts.
- Broncos WR Marvin Mims Jr. saves Denver’s playoff hopes with key punt return in win over Colts.
- Broncos rookie watch: CB Kris Abrams-Draine shows he could be another draft-day steal.
- Broncos report card: Denver defense forces five turnovers (with a Jonathan Taylor assist), powers critical win vs. Colts.
- Broncos four downs: Marvin Mims Jr., Nik Bonitto and Denver end seven seasons of losing football at Mile High.
Broncos Mailbag
Fourth-quarter updates
Sacked (5:27 p.m.): Dondrea Tillman with the sack on Anthony Richardson. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Broncos (5:22 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Courtland Sutton for a 20-yard touchdown. Six plays for 35 yards on that drive. Broncos 31, Colts 13 with 5:48 to go in the game. — Nguyen
Since Taylor didn’t just hand the ball to the ref, the Broncos have outscored Indy 24-0. Lordy. — Keeler
Field goal, Broncos? (5:19 p.m.): Nah. A penalty on Indy gives Denver the first down. — Nguyen
Nix to Franklin (5:19 p.m.): Their deep pass is gonna hit one day, right? — Nguyen
Picked off (5:16 p.m.): And Pat Surtain II with the interception. It’s his fourth one of the season.
The defense and special teams have woken up from their bye-week slumber. Will we see the offense do the same? — Nguyen
Three-and-out (5:12 p.m.): Bo Nix’s pass gets deflected at the line. It was intended for Troy Franklin. — Nguyen
No good (5:08 p.m.): Kris Abrams-Draine can play, man. — Gabriel
Anthony Richardson incomplete on fourth-and-6. #Broncos take over with 10:10 left. This game is theirs to put to bed. Richardson is 11-for-27. — Renck
Going for it (5:07 p.m.): Indy is going for it on fourth-and-6. — Nguyen
Injury update (5:06 p.m.): Quinn Meinerz just came back out of the locker room with his helmet in his hand, walked right to the Broncos bench area where the OLs are and got Alex Palczewski up out of his spot. — Gabriel
D.J. Jones, Meinez, McLaughlin. If this indeed becomes a massive, historic Broncos victory, it might also prove to be a Pyrrhic one. — Keeler
Casa Bonitto (4:59 p.m.): Pick-six by Nik Bonitto? Fumble recovery for a touchdown? Either way, the Colts tried to do a trick play and Bonitto read it, grabbed it and ran it back for a score. Broncos 24, Colts 13 with 12:29 to go. — Nguyen
Nik. Bonitto. Read that like a book!!!
Unclear if that’s a pick-6 or just a backward lateral returned for a touchdown. Either way, that’s two TDs for Denver’s Defensive Player of the Year candidate in two weeks. What. A. Play. — Schubert
Bonitto = straight money. This game will forever hang from a dirty alley across the street from The Louvre. Insanity.
When is a pick-6 not a pick-6? When it’s technically an intercepted lateral. Amazing. — Keeler
Somebody tell George Stoia his Oklahoma Sooners are saving Broncos today. First Marvin Mims Jr. and then Nik Bonitto. Mims might get Pro Bowl as returner and Bonitto is sneaking into DPOY conversation after TDs in back-to-back games. — Renck
DJ Jones injured (4:57 p.m.): DJ Jones on a knee getting looked at by trainer. — Renck
Touchdown, Broncos (4:51 p.m.): Bo Nix with the 15-yard catch-and-run pass to Nate Adkins, who does a nifty spin move to find the end zone. Two plays, 15 yards. Broncos 17, Colts 13 with 13:51 to go. — Nguyen
Nate Adkins. Game-breaker.
A play similar to a touchdown earlier this season, Adkins leaks out uncovered and then shakes off a tackler with a spinning shimmy. 17-13, Broncos. Time for the Denver defense to take this thing home. — Schubert
Adkins for the 15-yard score, and the Broncos now (somehow) lead Stupid Bowl I, 17-13. — Keeler
Broncos’ Nix throws short pass to Nate The Great Atkins, who bounces off Zaire Franklin for 15-yard score. Broncos offense has spent entire day spilling Ragu on the Mona Lisa and finally starts cleaning up its mess. Broncos lead 17-13. Mims gets huge assist for his punt return. — Renck
Mimsy! (4:50 p.m.): SPECIAL! TEAMS! — Keeler
Marvin Mims, Jr. Game-breaker. — Schubert
Blown-up play (4:49 p.m.): Jonathon Cooper blows up Anthony Richardson to force the punt. — Nguyen
Third-quarter analysis — Colts 13, Broncos 10
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Houston beat the Dolphins. Bucs currently have a 13-point lead over the Chargers. Denver needs to capitalize on this moment.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Nothing like an all-or-nothing playoff seeding game in which both coaches are scared witless that their young QB is going to screw this thing up to Holy Hades. After a stanza of insanity, get ready for a fourth quarter of handoffs. And more handoffs. Which favors Indy. We will never, ever, ever, get those 15 minutes back. And yet we’ll never, ever, ever forget it.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: This game is giving off Russell Wilson-Matt Ryan Vibes. Richardson is 8-for-22 for 70 yards and a pick and you are losing because Bo Nix has played worse. 16 for 26 for 84 yards, 1 TD and 3 picks… Broncos season, in some ways, hanging in balance with 15 minutes left.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Big boy time for Bo. Can he overcome a sloppy start and win a game that’s right there for taking? If the answer is yes, that’s a big step. If the answer is no, consider this his first big game F.
Third-quarter updates
Injury update (4:45 p.m.): Quinn Meinerz is out of the blue medical tent and heading for the Broncos locker room. Shoulder injury. He’s questionable to return, per the team. — Gabriel
No chemistry (4:43 p.m.): Eight targets to Courtland Sutton, two catches for 12 yards. Rough day for the Denver offense. — Nguyen
Really poor throw from Bo Nix on third-and-long. Still, Courtland Sutton probably needs to come up with that for his struggling QB. — Schubert
Meinerz injured (4:42 p.m.): Quinn Meinerz goes to the medical tent. Suboptimal. — Schubert
Estime sighting (4:39 p.m.): Audric Estime’s first carry of the game comes with less than four minutes to go in the third quarter. He gains 6 yards. — Schubert
Injury update (4:38 p.m.): Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin is questionable to return with a quad injury, per the team. — Gabriel
Three-and-out (4:36 p.m.): Well, Denver’s defense seems to have shaken off the cobwebs. A three-and-out on that drive. — Nguyen
If Richardson were Lamar Jackson, the Broncos are down about 31-1o right now. Will Indy pull Joe Flacco from his sarcophagus? — Keeler
This is some of the worst quarterback play I’ve seen in person. — McFadden
Ryan, Colts-Broncos on Thursday Night Football made this look like Manning vs. Brady. — Schubert
Turnover central (4:33 p.m.): There have been six turnovers today. Both teams are trying their best to lose this game. — McFadden
Bo Nix is having a day the way “Kraven The Hunter” is a movie. — Keeler
Field goal, Broncos (4:31 p.m.): Wil Lutz nails a 44-yard field goal. Colts 13, Broncos 10 with 5:18 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
Another drive starts on the Colts’ side of the field, and another missed opportunity for the Broncos offense. A Wil Lutz field goal pulls Denver within three with 5:18 left in the third quarter, but Indy still controls this one. — Schubert
Turnover (4:29 p.m.): This game is drunk. Completely sloshed. — Keeler
The Colts are doing everything they can to give the Broncos this game.
Will they actually take it? — Schubert
Broncos defense continues to give team hope. P.J. Locke lights up Michael Pittman Jr. like Vegas strip. Causes fumble and DJ Jones recovers. Broncos ball at 30. Should they just kick quick FG? I kid because I care. — Renck
Another pick (4:26 p.m.): A big return from Marvin Mims puts the Broncos inside Colts territory … and yields nothing. ANOTHER pick from Bo Nix and it appears Bad Bo came to the office today. — Schubert
Nix having his worst day as a pro. Has been a mess with his feet. And on third pick, he was late getting rid of ball and stared down Sutton. Broncos are not winning this game unless they get run game going. — Renck
Mimsy! (4:23 p.m.): Big 27-yard gain by Marvin Mims Jr. on that punt return. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (4:17 p.m.): And the Broncos offense couldn’t capitalize. — Nguyen
The Broncos get a break … and give the ball right back to the Colts with a three-and-out. If they somehow manages to lose this game, they will have nobody to blame other than themselves. — Schubert
Touchdown, Colts? (4:10 p.m.): Denver is coming out of the bye week super sluggish. After an unnecessary roughness call, the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor runs for a touchdown.
Well, maybe? The call is under review as to if he dropped the football before he entered the end zone. — Nguyen
Taylor’s foolishness might have saved Broncos’ season. World’s dumbest celebration remains undefeated. — Renck
What in the world!?!?! — Schubert
The football gods are wearing orange socks today, kids. — Keeler
Picked again (4:06 p.m.): Bad overthrow for Bo Nix and it’s his second pick of the day. Broncos start the second half with a turnover.
And on third-and-inches no less.
Brutal start to the second half. — Gabriel
Another pick for Bo Nix. This isn’t getting any easier. — Schubert
Broncos Payton says at halftime that Denver needs to run the ball more, that can’t play one dimensional game. And on third-and-inches, Nix throws wild, erratic interception. He has fallen into bad habits today with his feet. Very similar to first 3 games of season. Bouncing too much. Not getting set, and it has led to a pair of ugly picks. — Renck
Halftime analysis — Colts 13, Broncos 7
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Rather large 30 minutes of football upcoming for the local team. Underwhelming first half, but just a six-point game. This group has played loose all year. Interested to see if they feel pressure in the second half.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: The Broncos being down 13-7 at halftime should be considered a win given how that first half went.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: On a day of sweet October sunshine but bitter January winds, this one’s taking on an ugly playoff feel, given its AFC playoff stakes. Which means those little things, those fine margins add up in a hurry, and the Broncos are failing a lot of of the big ones — rush defense, tackling, blocking, third-down conversions, special teams, you name it. Anthony Richardson isn’t remotely accurate, but the Colts are playing to his strengths — namely, that tackling him is like tackling Godzilla. The Colts opened up facing five third downs of 5 yards or more. Indy converted all of them, gaining 75 yards in the process, or 15 yards per pop. In January, that’s how you go home. In December, it’s how you lose your ticket to the postseason train.
The sheep here for mutton-busting at halftime in Empower Field have spent more time in the end zone than the Broncos did over the first two quarters.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos got pushed around in first half. Extremely disappointing given the stakes. Richardson and Taylor have combined for 102 yards rushing. #Broncos have 93 yards of total offense. Gotta get run game going. Javonte has 7 yards on his last 15 carries over the last 10 quarters. Just make him third down back in Samaje Perine role. Going to find out a lot about Broncos in second half. Promising season hanging in the balance.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: One half into the biggest game at Empower Field in nine years, and the Broncos have not met the moment. A playoff spot is right there on a silver platter and they can’t get out of their own way. The early results gave them a mulligan, but you don’t want to use it now.
Second-quarter updates
Field goal, Colts (3:47 p.m.): Matt Gay nails the 49-yard field goal. Colts 13, Broncos 7 with six seconds to go in the half. — Nguyen
Kris Abrams-Draine makes a great play in one-on-one coverage on a deep throw from Anthony Richardson. The Colts settle for a field goal. It’s going to be 13-7 going into the break. — Schubert
Broncos trail 13-7 after long FG…. The defense has settled down after poor start. Offense’s last two possessions have been awful. Javonte Williams has 7 yards on his last 15 carries. That is not a typo. — Renck
Spectacular play (3:46 p.m.): Rookie cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine with an incredible pass breakup on that play. Forces Indianapolis to try a 49-yard field goal. — Nguyen
Sacked (3:44 p.m.): John Franklin-Myers finally takes down Anthony Richardson. A 5-yard loss on that. — Nguyen
JFM has been itching for a sack for quite some time. Finally gets on second down. Get off the field here with just a field goal allowed and it’s a minor victory for the Denver defense. — Schubert
Denver’s run game (3:42 p.m.): Denver’s running backs so far today:
- Jaleel McLaughlin: five carries, 9 yards
- Javonte Williams: two carries, 4 yards
- Audric Estime: 0 carries
— McFadden
Costly penalty (3:40 p.m): A sloppy first half for the Broncos continues. Garett Bolles jumps offside on third-and-short and one play later, the offense is exiting the field once again when Bo Nix throws short of the sticks. — Schubert
Two ugly possessions from Broncos. Can’t stay on the field when need a FG before half. Not being able to establish run is haunting offense. — Renck
Defense (3:35 p.m.): Broncos’ defense since Indy scored on its first two possessions:
- Three-and-out
- INT
- Three-and-out
— Gabriel
Anthony Richardson with another poor throw on third down and the Broncos get the ball right back.
Note on that: He was under pressure. — Schubert
Richardson makes Tim Tebow look more accurate than a DNA test. — Renck
Play calls (3:32 p.m.): Broncos at 16 drop-backs and 8 called runs so far this afternoon. — Gabriel
Listen, when you’re facing the 31st-ranked run defense in the league, you gotta establish the passing game. — Schubert
Colts rush defense entered the game ranked 31st in league. And Broncos have thrown twice as much as they have run, in part, because McLaughlin and Williams have seven carries for 13 yards. Can Audric Estime be released from witness protection? Asking for a friend. — Renck
Broncos have zero trust in their run game. — McFadden
Three-and-out (3:31 p.m.): A missed opportunity on offense. Three-and-out for Denver and the Colts get the ball back with a chance to score before halftime. — Schubert
Picked (3:24 p.m.): Anthony Richardson throws up a floater and Brandon Jones picks it off. — Nguyen
And there is the other side of Anthony Richardson. An absolute moon ball of a pass gets picked off by Brandon Jones. — Schubert
Both interceptions thrown by Nix and Richardson have been bad. Like really bad. — McFadden
Big, big QB (3:23 p.m.): Anthony Richardson is a freight train, man. — Gabriel
Broncos getting Cam Newton-ed, kids. — Keeler
Broncos could’ve sacked Richardson three times on that play. Franklin-Myers had him twice. — Schubert
Run game (3:22 p.m.): When it comes to the run game, Bo Nix is the “hot hand.” That’s fine, but he needs help to open this thing up. And the sooner the better. — Keeler
Agree Sean. Please release Audric Estime from witness protection. — Renck
Peyton-esque (3:21 p.m.): That TD to tight end reminds me of Peyton Manning connecting with Owen Daniels multiple times in the AFC championship game. — Renck
Touchdown, Broncos (3:18 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Adam Trautman for a 13-yard touchdown. Nine plays for 54 yards on the drive. Colts 10, Broncos 7 with 5:29 to go in the half. — Nguyen
Broncos Bo Nix fakes tunnel screen to Mims and fires dart to Trautman for 13-yard TD… Broncos can take breath.. Back in the game. Denver trails 10-7 with 5:29 left in half. — Renck
Beauty of a play design there from Sean Payton. And perfect execution to get Trautman wide open up the seam. — Gabriel
Who says the Broncos need a playmaking tight end? Adam Trautman gets schemed wide open inside the red zone and Bo Nix hits him for a 13-yard touchdown. The Denver defense gave the offense good field position, and they did exactly what they needed to with it. — Schubert
PI (3:17 p.m.): Courtland Sutton draws a pass interference call. Broncos get first down at the Indy 13. — Nguyen
Mimsy! (3:15 p.m.): On third-and-8, Bo Nix throws a quick catch-and-run to Marvin Mims Jr. for an 11-yard gain. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (3:08 p.m.): Broncos get pressure twice on three snaps against Anthony Richardson. Three-and-out. It’s that simple. — Schubert
Richardson to Richardson for 5. Don’t see that every day. Gotta get some points on this gifted field position. — Keeler
Malcolm Roach had Richardson by feet, but could not pull him down for safety after Richardson threw ball to himself on Elliss deflection. Crazy play. But Broncos finally get off the field on third down. — Renck
Richardson is a tank. That probably would’ve been a safety if that was someone else at quarterback. — McFadden
Penalty (3:05 p.m.): A holding penalty on the return pushes the Colts back inside their 10. Now is the time for Vance Joseph to dial up the pressure. — Schubert
Sacked (3:03 p.m.): Broncos are just flat-footed right now. A Deforest Buckner sack ends Denver’s second possession after one first down. Really, really, really bad start for the Broncos. — Schubert
It’s not panic time for the Broncos, but it’s definitely concern time for the Broncos. — Gabriel
Bo Nix sacked. Broncos forgettable start continues. Need to get crowd involved. But hard to do when can’t get off the field defensively and can’t stay on the field offensively. — Renck
Field goal, Colts (2:56 p.m.): Matt Gay nails the 37-yard field goal for Indianapolis to cap a 14-play, 52-yard drive. Colts 10, Broncos 0 with 14:49 to go in the second quarter. — Nguyen
Broncos hold the Colts to a field goal with a rare third-down stop. It’s 10-0 Indy early in the second quarter, and the Broncos have an uphill climb. — Schubert
14 plays, 52 yards and 7:17 (!!) off the clock for Indy on that field goal drive. — Gabriel
First-quarter analysis — Colts 7, Broncos 0
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: This game the whole way set up as one determined by the run game and turnover battle.
So far:
- Broncos -1 in turnovers.
- Colts have a 83-17 edge on the ground.
Denver in danger of falling behind by two scores
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Denver’s defense was completely outmatched in the opening quarter. If they don’t clean up their execution on third down, this could be a long afternoon for the Broncos.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Take it away! The Broncos are 1-4 this season when giving up 100 rushing yards or more in a game. The Colts have 83. After a quarter. Mercy.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos getting mauled after one quarter, trailing 7-0. Colts have 122 yards, 83 on the ground and 45 from Taylor. They have converted 4-of-5 third downs, including a third-and-10 and third-and-9 on basic run plays. Broncos need to get physical or it is going to be a long, disappointing day.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: The Broncos defense needs to start sending some pressure. Because what they are doing right now ain’t working. One quarter and one possession for the Denver offense. Denver is going to have to earn this one.
First-quarter updates
Another one (2:51 p.m.): Another third-and-long converted by Jonathan Taylor. Make that 4 for 5 on third down.
Take away Jameis Winston’s three interceptions, and it’s been a rough five quarters for the Broncos defense. — Schubert
Colts 4/5 on third down and 1/1 on fourth down. — Gabriel
Taylor converts on third-and-9 and third-and-10. … Broncos getting absolutely gashed on the ground. Not good. … That’s inexcusable on basic run play. … Not controlling edge or middle. — Renck
Fourth-down conversion (2:49 p.m.): A 5-yard gain by Jonathan Taylor keeps Indy’s offense on the field. — Nguyen
Colts are now 3 for 4 on third down and 1 for 1 on fourth down. Broncos defense cannot get off the field right now. — Schubert
Third-down conversion (2:46 p.m.): Another third-down conversion for the Colts. A 17-yard gain caught by Michael Pittman Jr. — Nguyen
That’s two straight Colts drives where Anthony Richardson, not exactly noted for his accuracy, burns the Broncos on third down over the middle. — Schubert
That is Anthony Richardson Experience: Throw absolute dart for first down. Then overthrow open receiver by 10 yards. — Renck
Run, Bo, run (2:41 p.m.): On third-and-5, Bo Nix scrambles for a 16-yard gain. … And then throws a pick. — Nguyen
Bo Nix showing all the tools early. Solid throw on third-and-4 to Sutton. Big scramble for a first down on third down. Then … an ill-advised throw to Lil’Jordan Huymphrey for a pick. That’s interception No. 3 in the last five quarters for Nix. — Schubert
Bo Nix’s legs provide first sdown and it follows it up with one of his worst passes of the season. He didn’t get set, threw unnecessarily off balance for an an easy INT for Colts. … Ugly start for Broncos. Nix knows better. Gotta have better mechanics than that. — Renck
That’s a bad pick from Bo nix. And just one play after he ran for 16 to convert a third-down, too. — Gabriel
Another one (2:40 p.m.): Courtland Sutton with back-to-back snags on in-breakers. The big fella is already off to a good start. — Schubert
Third-down conversion (2:39 p.m.): Nice and easy short gain to Courtland Sutton for the third-down conversion. — Nguyen
RBs (2:38 p.m.): Jaleel McLaughlin gets the first carry on offense. And promptly leaves the game. — Schubert
Debut (2:38 p.m.): Drew Sanders made his season debut on the Broncos’ kickoff. The second-year linebacker is all the way back after tearing his Achilles back in April. — Gabriel
Big runs (2:37 p.m.): Indianapolis had 48 rushing yards during its scoring drive. — McFadden
Only way Broncos lose this game, IMHO, is if they don’t stop the run. Of the Colts’ 70 yards on opening drive, 48 came on the ground with Taylor and Richardson. Colts lead 7-0 with 10:52 left in first. — Renck
Broncos came into Week 15 averaging 4.2 points allowed per first quarter, 12th in the NFL. Dropping a 7-spot to Indy after one drive ain’t a good sign, especially when you’re giving up 9.6 yards per carry. — Keeler
Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor on the first drive: Five carries for 48 and the TD.
Colts converted a pair of third-and-10s along the way. — Gabriel
Touchdown, Colts (2:33 p.m.): Oh, crud. — Keeler
That was too easy. … Anthony Richardson fakes dive and sweeps right for 23-yard TD. That is exactly what Broncos can’t do… Get gashed on the ground. — Renck
Uh oh. About the worst possible start you could envision for the Broncos. Richardson completes a third-and-long, Jonathan Taylor breaks tackles for a third-and-10 conversion, and then Richardson burns the Broncos on a zone read. Broncos had multiple opportunities to get off the field. — Schubert
DB alignment (2:32 p.m.): Looks like it’s Mathis outside in the base and Abrams-Draine outside when Denver’s in nickel. — Gabriel
Another third-down completion (2:32 p.m.): The Colts path to an upset is simple. Running the football. Brutal play where Broncos allow Taylor 15-yard run on third-and-10. — Renck
Two missed tackles from the Broncos on Jonathon Taylor and the Colts are in business. Gotta make that stop. — Schubert
Third-down completion (2:29 p.m.): Anthony Richardson looking surprisingly confident on a downfield throw to Josh Downs. ܲ
Brock’s back (2:28 p.m.): Brock Osweiler planted the Broncos flag before the game. Brock back in the building. Broncos don’t reach Super Bowl 50 without his 5-2 regular season mark. — Renck
Riley Dixon’s replacement (2:27 p.m.): Kris Abrams-Draine playing at outside cornerback on the opening drive. — McFadden
It’s the ol’ switcheroo at CB. Broncos put Mathis with the first team in warmups and announced him as the starter and then Abrams-Draine gets the first crack at it.
Now Mathis is in there, though. — Gabriel
Coin toss (2:25 p.m.): Denver wins the toss and defers. Indy will start with the ball. — Nguyen
Pre-game updates
Full circle (2:24 p.m.): Peyton Manning was talking with Bo Nix in the pregame. Could be a full circle moment. The last big win at the stadium was led by Manning in the AFC Championship victory over the Patriots, advancing Broncos to Super Bowl 50. Win today and Broncos will be one win from clinching their first playoff berth since that season. — Renck
Undercard (2:22 p.m.): As big as this game is, it remains the undercard on the national landscape. The network broadcasting this game, CBS, sent its studio crew to Detroit for Bill-Lions like its College Gameday. — Schubert
Bills-Lions: The Super Bowl We’ll Never Get, Because Mahomes. — Keeler
Windy (2:17 p.m.): Weather will be in the 40s for this one. Winds 15-20 mph with gusts up to 35… It sets up as a day to run the heck out of the football. — Renck
A little help (2:11 p.m.): The Broncos’ playoff hopes just got a big boost with the Texans taking down the Dolphins in Miami. The number of AFC teams that can finish with 10 wins is now down to eight — including the Broncos and Colts. So, yeah, this still remains a very big game for the Broncos. Win, and you’re pretty much in (barring a massive late-season collapse). — Schubert
A Broncos win today moves Denver’s magic number to one, to use a baseball term. If Denver wins today, they can clinch Thursday night at the Chargers (or by winning either of the two games after that).
Win today, and you’re thinking about getting greedy from a seeding perspective. — Gabriel
Broncos inactives (12:59 p.m.): CB Levi Wallace, CB Riley Moss, T Frank Crum, G Nick Gargiulo, DL Eyioma Uwazurike, LB Levelle Bailey and QB Zach Wilson (emergency third quarterback).
Wallace is sidelined after allowing 151 receiving yards vs. Browns. LB Drew Sanders will make his season debut. — McFadden
Popular jerseys (12:04 p.m.): Walking through tailgaters in parking lot always features wide variety of jersey. Most popular I have seen for each team: Broncos Bo Nix’s No. 10. Colts Quenton Nelson’s No. 56. — Renck
Injury update (11:41 a.m.): apB Riley Moss, who missed the Week 13 game against Cleveland with a right MCL injury sustained at Las Vegas Nov. 24, won’t play today but he’s down on the field going through a workout with training staff currently. Definitely not full speed, but he’s working on lateral shuffling, backpedaling and changing direction. It’ll be a challenge for him to get back by Thursday night at Los Angeles given the short week of preparation. — Gabriel
Good morning from Empower Field (11:40 a.m.): It’s a beautiful, sunny day for a big one between the Broncos and Colts. The wind, however, could have an impact today. It’s gusting and looks to be swirling a bit down on the field about 2:45 before kickoff. — Gabriel
Scouting report (10 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Colts in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 27, Colts 20
Sean Payton’s team has won the games itap supposed to this year. The best team by record they’ve beaten is 7-6 Tampa Bay. The worst team they’ve lost to by record? A three-team tie at 8-5. The Colts are 6-7. The Broncos are favored by 4. An eight-year playoff drought is on the line. At long last, itap time for the breakthrough.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 27, Colts 17
The Broncos understand whatap at stake on Sunday, and their performance will reflect that. Denver will take advantage of a struggling Colts defense and don’t be surprised if it relies on the run game to do so. Expect Anthony Richardson to try to create some explosive plays in the passing game. However, he will fall victim to the turnover bug, which will play a big part in the outcome.
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 27, Colts 20
Sean Payton’s team has won the games itap supposed to this year. The best team by record they’ve beaten is 7-6 Tampa Bay. The worst team they’ve lost to by record? A three-team tie at 8-5. The Colts are 6-7. The Broncos are favored by 4. An eight-year playoff drought is on the line. At long last, itap time for the breakthrough.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 27, Colts 17
The Broncos understand whatap at stake on Sunday, and their performance will reflect that. Denver will take advantage of a struggling Colts defense and don’t be surprised if it relies on the run game to do so. Expect Anthony Richardson to try to create some explosive plays in the passing game. However, he will fall victim to the turnover bug, which will play a big part in the outcome.
Broncos-Colts NFL Week 15: Must-reads
Renck: Broncos will beat the Colts because they finally have head coach who can win a big game
This has been the hardest thing to admit for eight years, and now it is the easiest thing for apountry to read. It is obvious. There remains no reason to deny it.
The Broncos finally have a coach who can win a big game. Thank you, Sean Payton.
Itap OK to say it aloud. Tell a friend. And it will feel even better when the Broncos beat the Colts on Sunday. Payton will meet the moment.
It was not true last season when Payton’s in-game acumen required WD-40. But it is undeniably true now. No game this weekend has more at stake. Read Troy Renck’s column.
Sean Payton’s heavy emphasis on red zone efficiency bearing fruit for Bo Nix, Broncos
Adam Trautman has been around Sean Payton long enough to understand his meticulous game planning. But whenever Payton gets into the red zone period of practice, Denver’s tight end notices an added level of focus.
Last year, Payton was animated about Denver’s struggles in the red zone and goal-to-go situations. And for good reason: Denver scored a touchdown on 50.85% of their red zone trips (20th in NFL) and had a conversion rate of 53.33% on goal-to-go opportunities.
But throughout this season, Denver has steadily improved its production in the red area, which has helped put Payton’s team in the middle of the playoff race with four weeks left in the regular season. Read Ryan McFadden’s story.
Broncos’ Sean Payton: LT Garett Bolles is “one of the premier pass-blockers in our league”
Sean Payton knows Garett Bolles’ game well at this point. He just didn’t know his age.
That, of course, was no hindrance to Denver signing the left tackle to a four-year extension worth $82 million on Thursday. Payton, though, insisted he didn’t realize Bolles was already in his 30s.
Payton, naturally, pays close attention to his offensive line’s production. He’s a believer in a team being built from the inside out. And Denver now has a key piece secured. Read Parker Gabriel’s story.
