Mike Boone showed playmaking ability in place of Javonte Williams, but it didn't matter once they sniffed the end zone. But yet again Nathaniel Hackett's unit could not function cohesively. Denver's defense wiped the floor with Ryan, nearly winning the game on its own accord despite losing veterans like Josey Jewell to injury. And gone was the clutch decision-making, with Russ most egregiously forcing two throws - one deep, one in the end zone - that wound up picked. Gone was most pocket awareness, hence the four sacks, absorbed at inopportune times. Gone was almost any inclination to push the ball downfield, despite another stellar effort from Courtland Sutton. Wilson once again showed life at the last second, nearly guiding Denver to a come-from-behind OT win, but for the preceding four quarters, he operated like one of the most uncomfortable, inaccurate starters in the NFL. That superstar QB they traded for, and gave $235 million? Yeah, he just might be broken. But the entire "D" stepped up when it mattered most, forcing the Broncos into an 0-for-4 finish in the red zone. DeForest Buckner led the way up front, headlining a four-sack effort that also pressured Wilson into a pair of rookie-esque interceptions. And definitely give it to the defense, which was without Shaquille Leonard but absolutely manhandled whatever Denver was doing with the ball in its hands. But give credit to Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr., who made the most of the oft-suspect throws Ryan sent their direction. It's a wonder he was still standing upright to lead the go-ahead drive in OT. Ryan, 37, looked every bit his age flailing around a collapsing pocket, taking a beating that included six sacks and plenty more hits. Ryan was hooting and hollering on his way into the locker room after getting the win, no thanks to he or basically the entire Colts offense. It wasn't because they played a complete game, or anything resembling one, that's for sure. Here are some takeaways from Thursday's sloppy showdown: Why the Colts won But both teams still have major questions to answer moving forward. Indy's win improves the team to 2-2-1, while Denver falls to 2-3 on the year with the defeat. The Broncos previously entered halftime up 6-3 thanks to a pair of Brandon McManus field goals, but both teams went into the break - and then later overtime - looking, frankly, like losers. The Colts proceeded to win the coin toss, add another field goal, and stuff Denver on a fourth-and-1 in the red zone to secure the 12-9 victory. The back-and-forth was so brutal, it turns out, that neither side could reach the end zone in four quarters, combining for six field goals to deadlock in a 9-9 tie that necessitated overtime. And boy did they keep that up in their prime-time "competition." Injuries, three-and-outs and forced throws headlined the ugly contest, with Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan taking turns seemingly trying to outdo each other in negative plays.
The Broncos and Colts each entered Thursday night's AFC showdown battered and bruised, with little offense to show for it.
0 kommentar(er)
