Game Recap: Week 2 Denver Broncos v Indianapolis Colts

A game that was emphasised by the Broncos defense. Final score Broncos victorious 34-20.

The highly anticipated contest between the explosive Colts offence lead by Andrew Luck, and the immensely talented Broncos defense did not leave fans disappointed. From the start of the game the Broncos looked in control, with Trevor Siemian again showing that he is more than capable of starting in the NFL, he lead this offence around the field all day. Yet what was the catalyst for the Broncos win was their outstanding defense, that harassed and pressured Luck all day.

Whilst Luck did conduct some very good drives, in the end, the Colts inability to provide Luck with enough support in the pocket forced him into a position in which he could not get the Colts out from. The presence of Von Miller and Demarcus Ware (before he went off injured), ensured that Luck was never settled in the pocket, constantly having to scramble out to pick up valuable yards. This Broncos defence sacked Luck five times, and their secondary locked down the majority of the receiving options for the Colts. Not to mention the run game was virtually none existent against a very strong defensive line.

The Broncos played in a similar way to last week, employing a power running attack lead by CJ Anderson and also giving the rookie Devontae Booker valuable carries. Both of these running back combined for 120 yards rushing and a touchdown in which CJ Anderson punched it into the end zone. Siemian looked for a number of receivers today, spreading the ball around and moving the chains. Yet this offence wasn’t the reason as to why Denver won this battle, the defense for the Broncos was simply too much for the Colts to overcome.

Luck did look for a number of receivers on the day, but the coverage in the secondary was air tight. When the Colts receivers did make a catch, the ability for both Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward to make the tackles with such ferocity, ensured that the Colts pass catchers were looking for them all day. Talib and Harris also had outstanding games, with Talib at one point in the game, jumping the receivers route for the Colts and returning the intercept for a touchdown.

Whilst the Colts did score two touchdowns, one from Frank Gore, which was simply a great play and exploitation of coverage. The second was a strong 5 yard run by Robert Turbin, yet these were the only real bright spots for a Colts offence that stuttered and spluttered up and down the field.

The ability for Von Miller to play at such a high level is nothing short of extraordinary, all day he was harassing the offensive line, and whilst being double teamed on many occasions, he still came up with the game changing plays. None more so than a strip sack in the fourth quarter that lead to Shane Ray scooping up the ball for a touch down. Whilst the Colts can put up points, their defense is in shambles, with a number of key injuries to their secondary, the future does not look bright. Whilst on the other side of the ball, the Broncos looked to have picked up from their Super Bowl winning ways, again having the best defence in the game currently and ensuring that their offence does not turn over the ball, whilst also relying on a very strong and talented running attack.