Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson stumble as Indianapolis barely wins ugly defensive battle
The Broncos and Colts each entered Thursday night’s AFC showdown battered and bruised, with little offense to show for it. 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 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. 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 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. Indy’s win improves the team to 2-2-1, while Denver falls to 2-3 on the year with the defeat. But both teams still have major questions to answer moving forward.
Here are some takeaways from Thursday’s sloppy showdown:
Why the Colts won
It wasn’t because they played a complete game, or anything resembling one, that’s for sure. 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. Ryan, 37, looked every bit his age flailing around a collapsing pocket, taking a beating that included six sacks and plenty more hits. It’s a wonder he was still standing upright to lead the go-ahead drive in OT. But give credit to Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr., who made the most of the oft-suspect throws Ryan sent their direction. 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. DeForest Buckner led the way up front, headlining a four-sack effort that also pressured Wilson into a pair of rookie-esque interceptions. But the …