Colts Upset Broncos in Playoffs, 24-13

The Indianapolis Colts put together one of their most impressive performances of the season against the highly favored Denver Broncos. The defense dominated one of the best offenses in the NFL en route to the 24-13 win.

The Broncos averaged 35 points per game but couldn’t find the endzone after their first drive of the game. Their high powered offense was held to just 267 total yards.

The Colts dared Peyton Manning to go deep, and he couldn’t connect with his receivers. Manning was never able to get his offense into a rhythm.

Andrew Luck continued to play at a high level against the Broncos. He completed 27-of-43 passes for 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Luck also had two interceptions.

T.Y. Hilton led the team in receiving yards with 72 off four receptions. He was able to routinely beat Aqib Talib on crossing routes.

Luck’s favorite target was once again Dan Herron. Herron hauled in eight passes but they only went for 32 yards and the Broncos played the checkdown routes well all game.

Herron also had 63 yards rushing and a touchdown.

The offense played well, but left some points on the field. Adam Vinatieri missed a 44-yard field goal but hit the game sealing one from 30 yards out.

The story of the day is easily the excellent play of the Colts defense.

Rookie Jonathan Newsome did his best Robert Mathis impersonation early in the second quarter. The Broncos were moving the ball before Newsome separated it from Manning and the Colts recovered. Indy went on to take the lead and never look back.

Newsome was the only Colt to record a sack but Manning felt pressure regularly throughout the game.

Vontae Davis continued to play at an extremely high level against the Broncos. He broke up three passes and recorded seven tackles.

Equally impressive was the play of the offensive line. The Colts didn’t give up a single sack, even with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware on the other side of the ball. Luck took a few shots, but was able to avoid the rush all afternoon.

The win sets another AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots in Foxboro.