With Peyton Manning in attendance, Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix bounced back from three turnovers in a 31-13 comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon.
The Broncos improved to 9-5 with the victory and Denver now has a 91% chance of reaching the playoffs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. The Colts dropped to 6-8 and Indy now has a 6% chance of reaching the postseason.
Denver has now clinched its first winning season since 2016.
Indianapolis took an early 7-0 lead on Sunday after quarterback Anthony Richardson rushed for a 23-yard score on the game’s opening drive. Nix then threw an interception on the Broncos’ opening drive, giving the Colts the ball back at their own 30-yard line. Indy capitalized off that takeaway by later kicking a 37-yard field goal to make it 10-0 early in the second quarter.
Later in the second quarter, Nix threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Adam Trautman to cut the deficit to 10-7.
Gone fishing 🎣
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/jfi3vnQxBZ
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 15, 2024
Denver then got the ball back when safety Brandon Jones intercepted an Anthony pass, but the Broncos failed to capitalize on the takeaway and punted the ball back to Indy. The Colts later kicked a field goal to take a 13-7 lead into halftime.
Nix threw a second interception on Denver’s opening drive of the second half and Indy appeared to capitalize with a 41-yard Jonathan Taylor touchdown run, but the running back dropped the ball before the end zone and it rolled out of the endzone for a touchback to give the ball back to the Broncos.
Jonathan Taylor’s TD is OVERTURNED after replay reveals he dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line 😱 pic.twitter.com/h8AtKhpm1K
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 15, 2024
Following the Taylor turnover, Nix threw a third interception, but the Colts gave it back one play later when P.J. Locke forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman D.J. Jones. After that takeaway, Denver settled for a 44-yard Wil Lutz field goal to cut the deficit to 13-10.
The Broncos pulled ahead in the fourth quarter when Nix threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end/fullback Nate Adkins to make it 17-13.
Hit ’em with the spin move.
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/s8N8pmfwFS
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 15, 2024
The score was set up by a 60-yard punt return by wide receiver Marvin Mims:
MARVELOUS MARVIN.#ProBowlVote + @marvindmims pic.twitter.com/3rhiz0HIKd
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 15, 2024
Later, Denver pass rusher Nik Bonitto blew the game open with a 50-yard fumble-six to give the Broncos a commanding 24-13 lead.
CASA BONITTO!!!!#ProBowlVote + @nikkkkbonitto pic.twitter.com/F3PgKZ0dry
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 16, 2024
Midway through the fourth quarter, Denver cornerback Pat Surtain intercepted a Richardson pass to set the Broncos up at Indy’s 35-yard line. The team initially settled for a 47-yard field goal but a Colts penalty gave Denver a first down, extending the drive. Nix then threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton to make it 31-13, which ended up being the final score.
🔟 to 1️⃣4️⃣ 🙌
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/tqcUDrBHoy
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 16, 2024
The Broncos came out of the game banged up — running back Jaleel McLaughlin left the game in the third quarter with a quad injury and guard Quinn Meinerz left with a shoulder injury. Meinerz returned in the fourth quarter. Defensive lineman D.J. Jones left in the fourth quarter with a finger injury and cornerback Pat Surtain suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter.
Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 16 on Dec. 19. Following a Miami Dolphins loss on Sunday, Denver needs to win just one more game to clinch a playoff spot. The Broncos have not returned to the postseason since winning Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.
