Colts Pull off Upset Against Broncos, 27-24

The Indianapolis Colts weren’t given much of a chance Sunday afternoon. Owners of a three game losing streak and facing an undefeated Denver Broncos fresh off a big win, the Colts were underdogs at home. A back-and-forth contest found the Colts playing their best game of the season in a 27-24 victory.

Andrew Luck had his best performance of the season and it came after a week of turmoil had many questioning the coaching staff. Luck completed 21-of-36 passes for 252 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Against the best pass rush in the NFL, Luck was sacked just once but suffered 11 hits.

Luck wasn’t the only one to take a few big hits. T.Y. Hilton, who wasn’t expected to play, took his fair share of shots this afternoon but made the Broncos defense pay. Hilton had five receptions for 82 yards.

Griff Whalen, filling in for the injured Phillip Dorsett, was a big play maker today too. He had five receptions for 73 yards, including a few timely catches on third down.

The Colts had a nice mix of play calling this afternoon, effectively using the run to set up play action passes. Frank Gore had 83 rushing yards and a touchdown off 28 carries. Luck also chipped in to the rushing totals with 34 yards off six scrambles.

It was the first complete game of the season for the Colts, and while neither side was consistently good, they didn’t shoot themselves in the foot with turnovers. Mike Adams and Darius Butler both came away with interceptions, with Butler’s allowing the Colts to salt the game away.

Peyton Manning had a chance to set a pair of records today, but came up short. A win would have had him as the player apart of the most wins in NFL history. He was also just three yards shy of holding the all-time record for passing yards.

The Colts, who have matchup very well against the Broncos the past two years, made them one dimensional on offense. The game plan was almost lifted from last seasons playoff win with the Colts daring the Broncos to pass to the outsides.

The win looks all the more impressive given that it came against an undefeated opponent with the best defense in the NFL. Up next, the Colts will have a week off before they head south to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11.