Why the Broncos can only blame themselves after 29-28 Colts loss | Cheers and Boos
Cheers and boos from the Broncos’ 29-28 loss to the Colts on Sunday:
Boo!
If the Broncos whiff on the AFC West title because of a 29-28 loss to the Colts in Week 2, they’ll have nobody to blame but themselves. Cry foul on the leverage penalty called on Dondrea Tillman that gave the Colts second life and a game-winning field goal try from 45 yards. But the Broncos blew it with a spectacular meltdown in the fourth quarter. Devastating penalties on J.K. Dobbins and Adam Trautman. Junior varsity-level clock management. A missed field goal from 42 yards — a chip shot in today’s NFL. The Broncos deserved to win and earned the loss.
Cheers…
Bo Nix gets knocked down. But he gets up again. If Nix stumbles one week, he’s a good bet to flourish the next. After stinking up the joint with three turnovers against the Tennessee Titans, Nix ripped off three touchdown passes in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts. That follows the Nix script from his rookie season, when Nix trailed a stinker against the Colts with banner showings against the Chargers, Bengals, and Chiefs to secure a playoff spot. Is Nix good enough to carry a franchise? Standby. He’s surely resilient and mentally tough enough.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) escapes Indianapolis Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam (52) during the second half an NFL football game Sunday in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)Boo!
… the Broncos for dropping $27.5 million in guarantees on a pair of free agents with serious injury histories. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw crushes fools as if he has a personal vendetta against running backs. But he didn’t play again Sunday due to a leg injury. Tight end Evan Engram was born to convert third downs. But he was barely involved in the offense and caught only one pass Sunday after missing most of Week 1 with an injury. The Broncos returned 85% of their roster from 2024. But winning road games against good teams requires more from the offseason additions.
Cheers…
… to a good ol’ fashioned barnburner that reminded of the Peyton Manning era — for both teams. Who doesn’t love a second quarter with four touchdowns? Or a box score with 17 players catching at least one pass? Or Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin doing his best to emulate a young Emmanuel Sanders? (Boy, the Broncos found a gem in Franklin, whose eight catches went for 89 yards and a score.) The Broncos gave away the kind of road win that can lead to a division title. On the bright side, at least the days of 10-9 final scores are in the rearview.
—Paul Klee, The Denver Gazette
