Adam Vinatieri kicked a game-winning field goal to hand the Indianapolis Colts a 15-13 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 8.
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Final Score
Indianapolis Colts 15, Denver Broncos 13
Indianapolis Colts
Sunday saw a major stock slide for Colts' corner Rock Ya-Sin. It felt like he ended up with more yardage allowed than the Broncos' receivers managed combined. Ya-Sin was called for a crippling holding penalty that extended an early drive and gave up a further couple first downs through pass interference. Despite being in good position, he also failed to break up a poorly located back-shoulder throw from Joe Flacco. Questions remain for the Colts on their defensive perimeter
Justin Houston and Jabaal Sheard are household names, but it was backup Ben Banogu who forced the fumble to seal the victory as time wound down. Nose tackle Grover Stewart also flashed with a couple of nice stops against the run.
It was a quiet game for the Colts' passing attack until Jacoby Brissett and T.Y. Hilton made the play of the game on the final drive. Brissett avoided a sack and delivered a perfect pass to Hilton on the sideline, who made a spectacular catch to keep his feet inbounds on the play.
Marlon Mack and the Colts' offensive line were held in check for most of the game, but Mack broke free for a 10-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. It was a roller coaster ride of a game for Adam Vinetari, but he managed to kick two field goals from 50-plus yards out, including the game-winner.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos' lack of playmakers was clear against the Colts, as they struggled to move the ball despite the injuries to their secondary. Courtland Sutton opened the game with a terrible drop and missed a couple of other contested-catch opportunities.
Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay provide a nice balance to the Colts' backfield. It suits a versatile rushing gameplan that features a heavy dose of both man and zone schemes. Denver's offensive highlight was probably the flea-flicker they executed perfectly in the middle of the third quarter, using the aggression of the Colts' corners to rip off one of their solitary big plays. It was one of the few bright spots after they tore into a 10 point lead to open the game.
Von Miller missed a couple of opportunities to bring down Brissett, none bigger than on the final drive where Brissett shook off a would-be sack and delivered a crushing big play against the Denver defense.
Chris Harris Jr. had a couple of nice pass break-ups and ultimately shut down Hilton for most of the game except for when Hilton slipped away for a 35-yard completion to start the go-ahead drive for the Colts.
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