Denver Broncos Defeat Indianapolis Colts In Season Opener, 31-24

Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) reacts to his touchdown in the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High . Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos earned their first win of the 2014-15′ campaign Sunday night, defeating the Indianapolis Colts, 31-24. The Broncos offense came out of the gates hot but cooled off in the second half. It was the reverse for the Colts.

The Broncos came out of the gates hot but couldn’t quite cap their first drive of the 2014-15′ season. Peyton Manning and company had three shots from the three-yard line on 1st & goal but couldn’t put it in. They would essentially settle with a 21-yard field goal from new kicker, Brandon McManus — capping a 16 play, 77-yard drive.

The Colts on the other hand led by quarterback Andrew Luck couldn’t get anything going in the first-half. The third-year quarterback out of Stanford mustered one score against the revamped Broncos defense, a rushing touchdown with :19 seconds remaining in the second quarter as Indy trailed, 24-7. Luck was intercepted by Rahim Moore on a tipped pass earlier in the ball game.

Peyton Manning would connect with one of his many targets in Julius Thomas at the beginning of the second quarter, a three-yard slant route to collect the Broncos first touchdown of the season, putting the team up 10-0 on a 8 play, 54-yard drive.

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Denver’s very next possession, Manning would connect with Orange Julius yet again on a 35-yard pass that was placed perfectly. Thomas recorded his second touchdown of the year as Denver was all over Indianapolis.

After forcing Indy to put yet again, Denver would lead yet another scoring drive before the end of the half. Before the score, Manning hit Emmanuel Sanders on a play-action, deep bomb netting 40-yards. Manning would record his third touchdown pass of the night to who else — Julius Thomas, to put the Broncos in the driver’s seat, 24-0.

Denver would receive the ball to begin the second-half and the first drive didn’t go as planned. After a false start from right guard Louis Vasquez, Andre Caldwell and Demaryius Thomas would drop back-to-back passes to force a Broncos punt. Not to mention, Denver would receive a delay of game penalty to boot on fourth down, forcing Britton Colquitt to punt from the back of the end zone.

On the ensuing Indy possession, they like the Broncos, faced a tough-decision inside the five. Denver’s defense came up huge, stopping Indy on fourth and one as Brandon Marshall stuffed Andrew Luck to force the turnover. Indy’s quarterback sneak didn’t work out as planned as Denver took over on downs.

After a failed possession from Denver, Indy put three points up on the board after an Adam Vinatieri 25-yard field goal. DeMarcus Ware came up with a huge sack on third down to prevent an Indianapolis touchdown — his first full sack as a member of the Denver Broncos. Indy’s field goal made it 24-10 Denver with 1:31 left in the third quarter.

On Denver’s next scoring drive, they received a bit of a scare on a bubble-screen. Manning threw a screen to the left side for Julius Thomas who would record the first down but was stripped. Luckily for Denver, Andre Caldwell recovered the ball. Manning would then throw another bubble-screen to Demaryius Thomas who covered a lot of ground and was pushed out at the two. Montee Ball would record his first touchdown of the season as he pinballed off of the offensive line and in for the score. Denver would take the 31-10 lead with 9:54 left in the fourth quarter.

Indy would bounce back on a 41-yard pass from Andrew Luck to Dwayne Allen on a bizarre play. It seemed as if the Broncos players gave up once Allen was close to the sideline. Indy would cut the lead to 14, 31-17 Denver. Right after the score, the Colts would try the onside kick and it worked. Indy would face a fourth and seven and Luck would strike T.Y. Hilton for the first down. Luck’s pass later on in the drive was tipped and the man of the hour, Rahim Moore, collected another interception on a tipped pass.

Denver’s offense would stall yet again as they were forced to punt to Indy with less than five minutes to go. Luck would connect with Hakeem Nicks on a third and goal to bring the lead down to one possession. Denver’s defense was eaten up in the second half as the offensive failed to get anything going. Denver led Indy, 31-24 with 3:26 remaining in the fourth.

Denver’s offense went missing in the second half as they were forced to punt yet again. Colts would take over with 2:58 remaining in the game, given a chance to tie it up from their own 36-yard line. After a false start, the Colts faced a third and fifteen where Luck found Hilton as they hit the two-minute warning. The Colts were down to their last chance on fourth and six from Denver’s 39-yard line. Denver’s defense stood on their head. The rookie Bradley Roby deflected the pass away from the veteran Reggie Wayne to seal the deal.

The Denver Broncos (1-0) will take on the division rival Kansas City Chiefs at home which is scheduled to kickoff next Sunday on CBS at 4:25 PM EST, 2:25 PM MST.