The Indianapolis Colts are trying to do something the team hasn’t accomplished since 2009 — the same season as their most recent Super Bowl trip. The Colts last started 2-0 a decade and a half ago. They have an opportunity to repeat that feat when they face the Denver Broncos in Week 2.
The Broncos will be a much tougher test than the Miami Dolphins, whom Indianapolis routed in the season opener. Specifically, the Denver defense is one of the best units in the NFL. Last season, the Broncos had the third-best scoring defense and, after only allowing 133 total yards in Week 1, they look every bit as good this year.
If the Colts want to continue their offensive momentum against Denver, they will need every player to play their role. That includes quarterback Daniel Jones as well as his supporting cast. There’s one particular skill position player who may hold the keys to this game.
Colts' Josh Downs could be in line for a big bounce-back game against the Denver Broncos
The Broncos’ defense boasts talent across the board, but it all starts with star cornerback Pat Surtain II. Surtain’s resume is long. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro, and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. In other words, Surtain is undoubtedly one of the best cornerbacks in the entire league.
Against the Dolphins, Jones and Indianapolis relied heavily on No. 1 wide receiver Michael Pittman, Jr., who led all players with 80 receiving yards and a touchdown catch. The Jones-Pittman connection was critical to the Colts’ historic offensive performance.
However, Pittman may struggle to have the same impact against Denver. Surtain primarily covers the outside and often shadows the offense’s top wideout. That means Surtain will routinely match up against Pittman, just like he did when the Colts and Broncos met in 2024. In that game, Pittman was held to just 58 yards and no scores.
Surtain’s elite coverage skills were on display in Week 1 as well when he followed Calvin Ridley III on 87% of routes. Ridley didn’t record a single catch when Surtain was covering him. The Broncos have other talented defensive backs, but no one is anywhere near Surtain’s level. Those are the players the Colts have to target.
With Pittman potentially on lockdown, the Indianapolis offense will have to do its damage through other pass-catchers, either on underneath routes or from the slot. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren already looks like a star, but head coach Shane Steichen needs more than just the first-rounder to beat Denver. Enter Josh Downs.
In 2024, Downs was one of the NFL’s most productive slot receivers. He ranked third in receptions (72) and fourth in yards (803). While Downs was predicted to have a breakout year this season, his Week 1 results were underwhelming — just 12 receiving yards off two catches.
The Colts still managed to move the ball down the field at will against Miami, but the same wasn’t true in Denver last December. Downs had a rough outing (three receptions, 32 yards), and the Indianapolis offense only managed to score 13 points. Clearly, Downs’ production is a key part of Steichen’s plan.
Fortunately, there’s reason to believe in Downs. The Broncos’ secondary is talented beyond Surtain, but the group isn’t invincible. Last year, multiple receivers — Tee Higgins, Jerry Jeudy, and Zay Flowers — burned Denver from the slot. Also, now that Jones is at the helm, there should be a greater focus on short passing plays, which is where Downs thrives.
With Pittman and Warren commanding so much of Denver’s attention, Downs could be in the perfect position for a monster game.