DENVER (AP) Linebacker Nik Bonitto foiled a trick play by stepping in entrance of quarterback Anthony Richardson and hijacking Adonai Mitchell’s lateral go, then racing 50 yards for a landing Sunday that sealed the Denver Broncos’ 31-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
With 5 takeaways, the Broncos (9-5) strengthened their grip on an AFC wild-card berth that will finish a playoff drought relationship to 2016. They started protection of their Super Bowl 50 title that season with a 4-0 begin, which was the final time they sat 4 video games above .500.
The Colts (6-8) blew each an early 10-0 lead and an enormous alternative to tighten the AFC wild-card race.
An enormous purpose was the tide-turning blunder by operating again Jonathan Taylor, who dropped the ball milliseconds earlier than crossing the aim line on what would have been a 41-yard landing within the third quarter.
Instead of lining up for the additional level to offer the Colts a 20-7 lead, the touchback left the reeling Colts clinging to a six-point edge they’d quickly relinquish – and in such an enormous approach.
Denver had simply taken its first lead of the sport on Bo Nix’s 15-yard landing toss to tight finish Nate Adkins that made it 17-13 when Bonitto scored his second landing in two video games.
Bonitto, who had a pick-6 towards Cleveland earlier than Denver’s bye week, was in full stride when he caught Mitchell’s go – which was formally recorded as a fumble restoration as a result of it was a backward go.
Denver’s protection was decided to atone after permitting Jameis Winston to throw for almost 500 yards two weeks in the past and so they got here up with 5 takeaways that greater than made up for Nix’s first three-interception recreation of his rookie season.
One of Denver’s interceptions was by cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who limped to the sideline tent with a sprained proper ankle. He went again within the recreation however was helped off the sphere simply earlier than the 2-minute warning after seemingly aggravating the damage.
The Broncos’ barrage of factors began with Wil Lutz’s 44-yard subject aim that pulled Denver to 13-10 after the groups exchanged turnovers on back-to-back performs.
Adkins’ TD put the Broncos forward for good, Bonitto had his defensive landing and Nix threw a 20-yard TD go to Courtland Sutton after the Colts’ impartial zone infraction on a subject aim gave Denver’s drive new life.
Richardson accomplished simply 5 of 17 passes for 56 yards within the first half with no touchdowns and an interception for a paltry 16.3 passer ranking. And a kind of completions was to himself – and in his personal finish zone after Jonah Ellis batted down his throw. Yet, the Colts took a 13-7 lead into the locker room.
Twice changing on third-and-10, the Colts took a 7-0 lead when Richardson raced round the proper aspect for a 23-yard landing run on the sport’s opening drive.
Denver’s first drive ended when linebacker Zaire Franklin intercepted Nix’s go, which led to a 37-yard subject aim by Matt Gay for a stadium-silencing 10-0 lead.
Nix threw a 13-yard dart to tight finish Adam Trautman to make it 10-7, however twice within the last 5 minutes of the primary half the Broncos went three-and-out and Anthony Gould’s 36-yard punt return throughout midfield arrange Gay for a 49-yard subject aim that gave Indianapolis a six-point cushion at halftime.
Both of those AFC wild-card contenders have been coming off a bye week and each seemed extra rusted than rested.
The Colts outgained the Broncos 122 yards to 32 within the first quarter, however managed simply 34 yards within the second quarter after they went 0 for 4 on third down. The Broncos managed a meager 93 yards of offense within the first half
Colts WR Alec Pierce sustained a concussion within the closing seconds of the second quarter when rookie Kris Abrams-Draine, beginning within the nickel rather than Levi Wallace, slammed into Pierce whereas breaking apart a go in the long run zone with 10 seconds left.
Broncos RG Quinn Meinerz (shoulder) and RB Jaleel McLaughlin (thigh) each left late within the third quarter. Surtain acquired harm within the fourth, as did DT D.J. Jones (finger).
Colts: Host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Broncos: Visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday evening.
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