Late Thoughts (Week 9): Indianapolis Colts Still Have Luck on Their Side
Before the game even started, chalk up another loss for the Indianapolis Colts.
How could a team in the midst of a three-game skid and one that had yet to defeat a team outside of their division possibly defeat the Denver Broncos and their imposing defense?
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Something happened to quarterback Peyton Manning and his team on the way to perfection. It was the same thing that happened to the Broncos when they were 6-0 in 2013 and visited Lucas Oil Stadium.
But this is more about the Colts’ much-needed 27-24 victory than Denver’s three-point loss. It was the kind of game we’ve been waiting to see from this football team for much of the season.
Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) shakes hands after the game with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Denver 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis ran the ball with Frank Gore, who totaled 28 of the team’s 40 attempts and 83 of the team’s 120 yards. Quarterback Andrew Luck hit on 21 of his 36 throws for 252 yards and a pair of scores without being picked off. He entered Week 9 with an NFL-high 12 interceptions.
“Hearing all the B.S. about we can’t do this, we can’t do that, and today, we stood up to a top team in the NFL,” said Gore to Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports. “But I’m not surprised, though.
“As long as we don’t beat ourself, we have a great shot,” added Gore. “But be real, though. Be real. When y’all watch film, we also help the other team. We (don’t) suck. We’re not a suck team. We just can’t beat ourself.”
More importantly in some regards, the Colts’ defense stifled the Broncos’ ground attack to the tune of 35 yards on 14 carries. They gave up two touchdown passes to Manning but also intercepted him twice. One
Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) gets sacked by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kendall Langford (90) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Denver 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
week after Denver rolled up 500 total yards in a win over the Packers, they were held to 309 yards by Chuck Pagano’s squad.
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It was far from dominating but a win is a win. The Colts owned a 17-0 second-quarter lead and led Denver tie it before eventually holding on for the victory. More importantly, it was the first time in six games this year that Indianapolis defeated a team outside of the AFC South.
Pagano and his team have the week off and it’s safe to say that Luck will need it. While he was sacked only once by Denver’s potent pass rush, he took his share of hits and is likely licking his wounds as this is being written.
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Yes, the AFC South has been the Colts’ playground and as long as they continue to dominate their divisional brethren, they are likely headed towards the playoffs. But a win over a hot Broncos’ team may be the tonic that gets this club headed in the right direction.