Where to begin? The Broncos couldn’t run, couldn’t stop the run, gave up defensive penalties, had two key players go down with injuries early (but return), couldn’t stop T.Y. Hilton, couldn’t catch a ball and Peyton Manning put the ball back into the hands of the Colts already down by 10 points.
In short, it was an ugly first half for the Denver Broncos who trail the Colts 17-7.
The only saving grace? How about Omar Bolden taking what (probably) should have been an out-of-bounds punt at the end of the half 83-yards.
And that's how you claw back into a game.. Get a TD without running an offensive play.. 83-yard TD by Bolden..
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 8, 2015
Omar Bolden's TD came right at #7SportsXtra photog @sportsdenver @DenverChannel WATCH: pic.twitter.com/gPeF8nV7pv
— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) November 8, 2015
Here’s how the MHS team and the Denver media at-large catalogued the rest of what was an excruciating first half for Broncos fans.
At one point the Broncos were down by their largest margin of the year…
https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/663480061891227648
The Broncos’ first possession didn’t go well…
#Broncos go 3 and out, DTs drop didn't help
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) November 8, 2015
Things didn’t get any better as the rest of the half unfolded…
4 punts and an interception…#Broncos offense is struggling. No one is making plays out there
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) November 8, 2015
The Broncos play selection was in question early…
#Broncos 6 passes and 1 run.
Little confused on the game plan. Looked pretty good vs. Packers w/34 runs and 29 passes.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) November 8, 2015
The running game is killing them. . . 3 3rd and longs in a row
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) November 8, 2015
Broncos won't survive like this, living in 3rd-and-long.
— Paul Klee (@bypaulklee) November 8, 2015
Indianapolis did something no other opponent has been able to do against Denver this year…
#Broncos defense gives up its first 1st-quarter points of 2015. #Colts touchdown 8 minutes into the game.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 8, 2015
That looked entirely too EASY
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) November 8, 2015
The Broncos had some nerve-wracking early injuries…
So two Broncos Pro Bowlers get hurt early…Sanders returned, but C.Harris is in the locker room, being evaluated for a possible concussion.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 8, 2015
Penalties hurt the Broncos, while the Colts played a (mostly) clean half…
#Broncos defenders have committed two 15-yard penalties. They've been converted into 10 #Colts points.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 8, 2015
Indy penalties = 0. #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 8, 2015
(*Indianapolis was flagged once later in the half.)
The Broncos’ run defense struggles gave Indy a huge advantage…
The most surprising thing about this game so far is the rushing yards the Broncos defense has allowed
— Brandon Krisztal (@BKDenverSports) November 8, 2015
Broncos stout run defense showing holes today against Frank Gore.
— Steve Cox (@SteveCoxDenver) November 8, 2015
And Denver couldn’t get their own running game going…
Main difference between GB and Indy game? Denver ran vs Pack. Running nowhere vs Indy. This week, same as last week, it's not about Manning.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) November 8, 2015
Broncos've run only 7 times today (vs. 19 passes). & if they don't put some pts. up quickly, that'll be even more skewed. Don't' get it.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) November 8, 2015
7 third and eights in the same half. . .
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) November 8, 2015
Denver couldn’t get help from his receivers…
#Broncos go 3 and out, DTs drop didn't help
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) November 8, 2015
Another drop. Sanders. #Broncos
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) November 8, 2015
Manning threw his 12th interception at a time when Denver badly needed points…
And Peyton Manning throws another interception. He's now tied with Andrew Luck for most in the NFL. Former Bronco Mike Adams there.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) November 8, 2015
Terrible throw. #Manning
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 8, 2015
Manning picked off by Mike Adams. Throw got away from him, or someone wasn't where they were supposed to be.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 8, 2015
Way over the head of Owen Daniels there. Not sure if Manning was expecting a deeper route or if that was just airmailed. Either way, ugly.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) November 8, 2015
And Denver still didn’t have an answer for T.Y. Hilton…
Luck finds a wide open T.Y. Hilton. 30 yards. #Broncos blitzed. No one covered the WR
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) November 8, 2015
Chuck Pagano had the right game plan in place…
Great #Colts game plan. Screens and underneath routes to combat #Broncos pass rush and blitzes
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) November 8, 2015
Conversely, Gary Kubiak and the coaching staff had one of their worst halves of the year, and were on their heels to the point that they didn’t challenge a huge third-down play with the Colts driving late in the half…
No.challenge? Good to know is not just the defense andoffense. Kubiak and the coaching staff aren't on their game today either. #DENvsIND
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) November 8, 2015
After beating the Packers soundly on Sunday night, someone needed to tell the Broncos this one’s not a layup…
Either #Broncos don't look like a 7-0 team or #Colts don't look like a 3-5 team. Take your pick.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) November 8, 2015
Colts playing a step or two faster so far. That's what desperation does. Denver needs to weather the storm. #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 8, 2015
Manning has a long road to hoe for the win, not to mention the passing record in the second half…
6 first half possessions: Peyton 9/22 for 80 yards. Long way to 284 today.
— Steve Cox (@SteveCoxDenver) November 8, 2015
