The Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos gave fans a game to remember. It was close, fast, and full of big plays. In the end, the Colts won 29-28. The win came after time expired, thanks to a field goal from Spencer Shrader on his second try. This result also gave the Colts a 2-0 start, their best start since 2009.
If you missed the game or just want a clear look at how each player did, this article breaks it all down. We will cover the quarterbacks, the running backs, the receivers, the scoring plays, and the full team stats. Everything here is based on real numbers from the game, so you get an honest picture of what happened on the field.
A Quick Look at the Final Score
Before we go into player stats, let’s look at the score by quarter. This shows how the game moved back and forth between both teams.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| Colts | 6 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 29 |
As you can see, the Broncos actually led for most of the game. But the Colts stayed patient and used field goals to keep the score close. In the fourth quarter, Denver could not score again, and Indianapolis found a way to win at the very end.
Quarterback Stats: Daniel Jones vs Bo Nix
The quarterback position often decides how a game goes, and this match was no different.
Daniel Jones had a strong day for the Colts. He completed 23 of his 34 passes for 316 yards. He threw one touchdown and did not throw any interceptions. This kind of clean, careful play is exactly what a team wants from its quarterback in a close game. Jones also added a short rushing touchdown, which showed he was ready to use his legs when needed.
Bo Nix also played well for the Broncos. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 206 yards. He threw three touchdown passes, which is a great number. However, he also threw one interception. In a game this close, that one turnover mattered a lot. Nix moved the ball well through the air, but the turnover gave Indianapolis a small edge.
When you compare the two quarterbacks, Jones had more yards, while Nix had more touchdown passes. But Jones’ clean game, with zero interceptions, helped the Colts stay steady when it counted most.
Running Back Stats: Jonathan Taylor vs J.K. Dobbins
The running game told an even bigger story about this match.
Jonathan Taylor had a big day for the Colts. He carried the ball 25 times for 165 yards. That is a very high number of carries and yards for one game. Taylor also caught a short touchdown pass, adding even more value to his day. His steady running helped the Colts control the clock and wear down the Broncos’ defense.
J.K. Dobbins also had a good game for Denver. He rushed 14 times for 76 yards and scored one touchdown. While his numbers were solid, they were not close to what Taylor did. The gap in rushing yards between the two backs was one of the biggest differences in the whole game.
Other players also got some touches on the ground. R.J. Harvey ran 5 times for 8 yards for Denver, and Bo Nix added 3 carries for 20 yards himself. For the Colts, Tyler Warren got one carry.
Wide Receiver and Tight End Stats
Both teams spread the ball around to different pass catchers.
For the Broncos, Troy Franklin was the top target. He caught 8 passes for 89 yards and scored one touchdown. Marvin Mims Jr. added 2 catches for 24 yards and also found the end zone. Adam Trautman caught 3 passes for 10 yards and one touchdown as well. Other Denver players who caught passes include Tyler Badie, Pat Bryant, R.J. Harvey, Evan Engram, J.K. Dobbins, Courtland Sutton, and Trent Sherfield.
For the Colts, the targets were spread out even more. Tyler Warren had a great game with 4 catches for 79 yards. Josh Downs caught 6 passes for 51 yards. Alec Pierce added 4 catches for 68 yards. Michael Pittman Jr. caught 4 passes for 40 yards. Adonai Mitchell had 2 catches for 20 yards, and Jonathan Taylor caught 2 passes for 50 yards, including his touchdown. Mo Alie-Cox also chipped in with one catch for 8 yards.
This shows that Daniel Jones did not rely on just one receiver. He found different players all over the field, which made the Colts’ passing game hard to stop.
How the Points Were Scored
Here is a simple list of every scoring play in the game, in order:
- Colts: Spencer Shrader kicked a 29-yard field goal
- Broncos: Marvin Mims Jr. caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix
- Colts: Shrader kicked a 33-yard field goal
- Colts: Daniel Jones ran in a 1-yard touchdown
- Broncos: Troy Franklin caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Nix
- Broncos: Adam Trautman caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Nix
- Colts: Jonathan Taylor caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jones
- Broncos: J.K. Dobbins ran in a 5-yard touchdown
- Colts: Shrader kicked a 36-yard field goal
- Colts: Shrader kicked a 28-yard field goal
- Colts: Shrader kicked the game-winning 45-yard field goal as time ran out
Spencer Shrader ended up as one of the biggest names of the game. His five field goals, including the final winning kick, were the difference between a win and a loss for Indianapolis.
Full Team Stats Comparison
Looking at the full team numbers helps explain why the game was so close.
| Stat | Broncos | Colts |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 23 | 26 |
| Total plays | 54 | 67 |
| Total yards | 324 | 473 |
| Passing yards | 206 | 306 |
| Rushing yards | 118 | 167 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 27:53 | 32:07 |
The Colts had more total yards, more plays, and more time with the ball. They also did not turn the ball over at all. Even with all these advantages, they still needed a last-second field goal to win. This shows how well the Broncos offense fought back, even while facing more pressure.
What This Game Tells Us
This match showed why football fans love close games. The Broncos’ offense, led by Bo Nix and a group of different receivers, was able to score often and stay in the fight. But small mistakes, like the one interception, made a real difference in the final result.
On the other side, the Colts leaned on Jonathan Taylor’s strong running and Daniel Jones’ clean passing. Their defense also held the Broncos scoreless in the fourth quarter, which gave Indianapolis just enough room to win late.
For fans of both teams, this game is a good example of how player stats tell the real story behind a score. A final score of 29-28 sounds simple, but the numbers behind it show a game full of ups and downs, big plays, and smart choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Colts vs Broncos game, and what was the final score?
The Indianapolis Colts won the game 29-28. The win came after time expired, when Spencer Shrader made a field goal on his second try.
How did Jonathan Taylor perform in this game?
Jonathan Taylor had a strong game. He rushed 25 times for 165 yards and also caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Jones. His running helped the Colts control much of the game.
Did Bo Nix throw any interceptions in the game?
Yes. Bo Nix completed 22 of 30 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw one interception. That turnover was important in a game decided by just one point.
