DENVER — Key second-half missteps doomed the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Denver.
The Colts fell 31-13 to the Broncos and turned the ball over a whopping seven times. Six of those turnovers happened in the second half of the contest.
The first of the Colts’ second-half turnovers was perhaps their most pivotal. With 12:43 left in the third quarter, running back Jonathan Taylor appeared to have broken off a 41-yard touchdown run.
Upon further review, however, officials determined Taylor dropped the ball before he crossed the goal line. As a result, the play was scored a fumble that entered the end zone.
Taylor’s fumble negated a touchdown and gave Denver possession via touchback. Had the score counted, Indianapolis would’ve been up 19-7. Instead, the Colts finished the game with just 13 points.
The Colts’ second turnover after halftime came with 7:22 left in the third quarter. The turnover happened when quarterback Anthony Richardson completed a 33-yard pass to wideout Michael Pittman Jr.
The Colts’ usually sure-handed receiver, however, fumbled the ball at the Indianapolis 31-yard line, and Denver recovered. The Broncos kicked a field goal to cut Indy’s lead to 13-10 after they recovered Pittman’s fumble.
The most unusual of Indy’s turnovers happened with 12:29 left in the fourth quarter. Richardson and wideout AD Mitchell attempted what appeared to be a double pass.
Mitchell caught Richardson initial throw, but when he tried to pass the ball back the other direction, the Broncos caught it and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown.
The play was scored as a 50-yard fumble recovery and touchdown for Denver.
The Colts’ four other turnovers came via failed fourth-down conversions and Richardson interceptions.
Before they committed a slew of turnover in the second half, the Colts had actually possessed a 13-7 lead at halftime.
Richardson finished the game 17-of-38 for 172 yards and two interceptions. He also racked up 46 yards and a touchdown on seven rushes.
Despite his fumble, Taylor also had a productive day for the Colts, racking up 107 yards on 22 carries.
Indianapolis outgained Denver 310 to 193. The Colts also ran 11 more plays (72) than Denver (61).
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix went 20-of-33 for 130 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions on the game.
BIG PICTURE
With their loss to the Broncos, the Colts’ fell to 6-8 on the season. Sunday’s result also eliminated Indianapolis from AFC South Division title contention.
Even if the Colts win all three of their remaining games and the Texans lose their last three contests, Indianapolis can’t win the AFC South. If Indianapolis wins its last three and Houston loses its last three, both teams will finish the season 9-8.
The Texans won both their matchups with the Colts this season, giving them tiebreakers in the race for a division title.
The Colts’ odds of claiming a Wild Card berth in the NFL Playoffs also took a significant hit on Sunday. Before the game, Indianapolis and Denver — now 9-5 on the season — were in the midst of a tight race for the third and final AFC Wild Card seed.
According to NFL.com, the Colts now have a 6% chance to make the playoffs with a loss to the Broncos on their resume. The win over Indianapolis pushes Denver’s odds to get to the postseason to 91%, per NFL.com.
Had the Colts won and the Broncos lost on Sunday, Indianapolis would’ve had a 55% chance to make the playoffs. Denver’s odds to get to the postseason would have fallen to 47% with a loss.
Sunday’s game also gave Denver a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Colts. That means even if the Colts win out and the Broncos lose out, 9-8 Denver will likely make the postseason instead of 9-8 Indianapolis.
Playoff scenarios could change if 6-8 Cincinnati or 6-8 Miami manage to tie or exceed Denver and Indy’s records at the end of the regular season.
UP NEXT
The Colts’ remaining schedule is favorable. Indianapolis plays three teams with losing records — Tennessee (3-11), New York (2-12) and Jacksonville (3-11).
Denver’s road to the end of the regular season is much tougher. The Broncos’ final regular season games pit them against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6), Cincinnati (6-8) and Kansas City 13-1.
