The Indianapolis Colts are facing the Denver Broncos in an AFC battle on Thursday Night Football to open Week 5 of the NFL season.
The Colts (1-2-1) are aiming to turn their season around with a road win, while the Broncos (2-2) hope to get above .500 with a home victory. Both teams enter Thursday’s tilt third in their respective divisions.
Indy is without starting running back Jonathan Taylor, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, while Denver is missing star back Javonte Williams, who is out for the year after tearing his ACL in Week 4.
Here are the top plays from Thursday’s matchup.
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
Rough start
Misfortune struck early for the Colts when Nyheim Hines, who was expected to be very involved in Thursday’s action with Taylor out, got injured on the first drive of the game.
He was taken straight to the locker room to be evaluated for a head injury. He has since been ruled out for the remainder of the game due to NFL concussion protocol.
On the move
Denver moved the chains on its first drive, which included an impressive 18-yard pickup from Russell Wilson. But the Broncos stalled in the red zone and settled for a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
Gaining momentum
Colts running back Deon Jackson was able to provide a small spark for Indy as the first quarter got underway.
Broncos get it back
It was more trouble for the Colts, as Matt Ryan threw a pick in the red zone midway through the second quarter. Denver safety Caden Sterns came up with the interception and returned it 23 yards to give the Broncos the ball right back after they took a 6-0 lead with their second field goal of the game.
Down he goes
The Broncos’ defense was a force to be reckoned with in this one, sacking Ryan four times in the first half, two of which came on the Colts’ final drive of the second quarter.
Indianapolis was able to avoid a shutout by getting a field goal on the board ahead of halftime, however, to keep things close.
Bombs away!
Denver finally came up with a monster play in the third quarter, when Wilson found Courtland Sutton on a 51-yard strike up the middle.
Denied
The big gain helped move the Broncos downfield, but things remained tied after the Colts blocked Denver’s ensuing field-goal attempt.
Double trouble
The Broncos made up for the lost opportunity when Sterns came up with his second interception of the night, picking off Ryan just outside Denver’s red zone.
The turnover gave the Broncos great field position, which they turned into three points on the ensuing drive. It was a three-point game, 9-6, headed into the fourth quarter.
Returning the favor
There was another turnover at the top of the fourth quarter, this time with the Colts’ defense picking off Wilson.
Wilson briefly visited the medical tent for a possible head injury before rejoining the game on the Broncos’ following drive.
Stay tuned for updates.
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Source: FOX Sports
