Broncos' Fourth-Quarter Meltdown

The Denver Broncos (1-1) experienced a devastating collapse in the final quarter, turning a potential victory into a 29-28 loss against the Indianapolis Colts. The game's decisive moment came when Colts kicker Spencer Shrader converted a 45-yard field goal after a series of Broncos' mistakes.

Defensive Struggles

The Broncos' defense, highly anticipated this season, underperformed significantly. They allowed 473 yards and failed to force a single punt from the Colts. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto didn't mince words, stating, "Defensively we were s---, we weren't doing our jobs all day."

Critical Errors

In the final 11 minutes, the Broncos made several costly errors:

• Interception: Quarterback Bo Nix threw a critical interception at the Colts' 9-yard line.
• Missed Field Goal: Kicker Wil Lutz missed a 42-yard attempt, his first miss since September 2024.
• Penalties: Three penalties in the last five minutes, including a personal foul on Shrader's first game-winning attempt, gave the Colts a second chance.

Coach's Reaction

Broncos coach Sean Payton expressed his disappointment, saying, "We did a lot of things late in that game to keep us from winning. That will be painful to watch that film."

Looking Ahead

Despite the loss, the Broncos remain focused on their goal of competing in the NFL's biggest games. As Nix noted, "Good teams bounce back from that; great teams don't do that, don't beat themselves."

Key Takeaways

• The Broncos' defense needs significant improvement.
• Fourth-quarter discipline is crucial for future games.
• The team must capitalize on opportunities to secure wins.

Final Thoughts

The Broncos' loss to the Colts serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining composure and executing under pressure. As they prepare for their next game, the lessons learned from this defeat will be invaluable.