Colts carve up Denver’s so-called elite defense
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Denver Broncos’ defense opened the season with hype as one of the NFL’s most feared units. Analysts pointed to its speed, depth and ability to dictate games. On Sunday in Indianapolis, the Colts tore through that reputation and exposed a defense living on name value.
Indianapolis piled up 473 total yards, including 316 passing from Daniel Jones and 165 rushing from Jonathan Taylor. The Colts averaged 7.1 yards per play and converted six of 13 third downs, controlling tempo in a 29-28 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The problems started up front. Indianapolis established the run early, leaning on physical blocking and decisive cuts. Denver’s defensive line failed to win at the line of scrimmage, leaving linebackers to chase plays five or six yards downfield instead of shutting them down in the backfield.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph tried to flip momentum with pressure. The Broncos blitzed on 25 of Jones’ 34 pass attempts, but the Colts’ protection held. Jones found quick throws against single coverage, and Denver rarely forced him off rhythm. The extra rushers opened holes in coverage, and Indianapolis took advantage.
The pass rush never gained control. Quick passes and play-action neutralized Denver’s top edge players, and when Jones held the ball longer, the pocket still held. The lack of pressure left the secondary scrambling.
Coverage breakdowns followed. Miscommunication and mismatches against safeties turned into first downs on crossers and seam routes. Instead of dictating, Denver’s secondary looked reactive, often chasing from behind.
Adjustments never came. Even as Indianapolis’ game plan became clear, the Broncos failed to counter. The Colts mixed run and pass with ease, sustaining drives and wearing down Denver’s front seven.
The defense that was billed as versatile and adaptable looked predictable. The unit leaned too heavily on talent, and the execution didn’t match the hype.
Depth also showed as a problem. When starters rotated out, Indianapolis picked at backups, particularly in the secondary. Denver had no answer.
The Colts didn’t rely on trick plays or gadget schemes. They played straightforward football: run the ball, protect the quarterback, hit open receivers. Denver’s defense, touted as the team’s anchor, couldn’t stop it.
The Broncos now face a crossroads. Either Joseph rethinks his blitz-heavy approach and the unit sharpens its fundamentals, or the defense continues to ride on reputation while opponents exploit the same flaws.
Against the Colts, the hype met reality. Joseph’s plan backfired, and Denver’s defense looked ordinary in a one-point loss.
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