Andrew Luck is about as good as they come. The Denver defense is better.
A week after completing 66 percent of his passes for 385 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions, Luck was held to just 198 yards and a touchdown on 53 percent completion. Oh, and he tossed a pick-six to Aqib Talib and gave up a sack-fumble that turned into six more points for the Denver defense.
It was a dominating performance form the Broncos defense, and honestly, those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Until a few garbage-time drives to close out the fourth quarter, Luck’s stat line looked an awful lot like our good friend Tim Tebow‘s.
https://twitter.com/smartfootball/status/777641474901024768
While Von Miller and the Broncos’ pass rush did their part (five sacks and 11 quarterback hits), the No Fly Zone stifled any and all passing lanes. And when Luck did connect with his receivers, they didn’t get very far.
Incredible tackle by @ChrisHarrisJr. Colts dump off pass was scheduled to go for 10+, Harris stops it at the line of scrimmage.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) September 18, 2016
Tasked with covering T.Y. Hilton for most of the afternoon, Harris held the Colts’ No. 1 receiver to just 41 yards on four receptions despite receiving 11 targets from Andrew Luck.
Across the field from him, Aqib Talib was even more impactful, jumping a Luck pass and taking it back 46 yards for six to put the Broncos up 10 in the fourth.
Aqib Talib welcomes Luck to the No Fly Zone.
PICK-6 for the #Broncos
#INDvsDEN https://t.co/xIp80PQJ8h
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 18, 2016
And with that touchdown, his fifth pick-six in Denver, Talib made some history.
Good day for Aqib Talib. Today it was announced he likely won’t face discipline for leg shooting, then he has a pick-6 #Broncos
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 18, 2016
Broncos CB Aqib Talib now has 9 career INT-TDs, tying him for 4th most in NFL history. Only R.Woodson, D.Sharper & C.Woodson have more.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) September 18, 2016
But that was the only good news for Talib on the day. Reports earlier this morning stated that Talib is not expected to face discipline for the gun incident he was involved with earlier in the offseason. While Talib has been known to frustrate fans in the past, it was all smiles on Sunday.
https://twitter.com/JoshPennock/status/777640176583442432
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/777640009566265345
Great play by Talib. Wow! #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) September 18, 2016
People forget that Aqib Talib is really good, bonehead plays or not
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) September 18, 2016
Talib can ball#Broncos
— Benny Bash🎧 (@TheBennyBash) September 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/777640279603945472
But what else should Broncos fans expect? In their last five games, the Broncos defense has taken down Andrew Luck, Cam Newton (twice), Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisbeger. For anyone else, that’s a death sentence. For the Broncos defense and the “No Fly Zone,” it’s breakfast.
Next on the menu: Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, Matt Ryan and Phillip Rivers.
Time to feast!
