Game Recap

1st Quarter:
3 - 0 Broncos lead
The Broncos opened the game with the first possession when WR Domenik Hixon returned the kickoff to the 36 yd line. RB Travis Henry moved the ball 47 yds in the next 5 plays to the 17 yd line. After two incomplete passes by QB Jay Cutler, K Jason Elam put up the 1st points of the game with a 35 yd FG.
10 - 0 Broncos lead
The Colts managed 31 yds of offense with the help of a 17 yd reception by TE Dallas Clark but were unable to score and punted back to Denver. The Broncos drove 80 yds to the 6 where Travis Henry was hit by DE Dwight Freeney on 2nd down and fumbled the ball. Broncos T Matt Lepsis recovered and Denver faced 3rd and 7. Cutler connected with WR Brandon Marshall for a 7 yd TD to build a 10 point lead over the Colts. Key Plays: Marshall 12 yd reception, Henry 13 yd run, rookie RB Selvin Young 32 yd run.

2nd Quarter:
10 - 7 Broncos lead
Indy answered 7 plays later with a 14 yd TD run up the middle by RB Joseph Addai. The score capped a 2:56 drive that started at the Den 46 due to a 15 yd unnecessary roughness call on Denver. Colts WR Marvin Harrison was injured during the drive.
13 - 7 Broncos lead
The Broncos took another 5:54 off the clock with a steady progression down the field. They drove 76 yds with the help of a 14 yd Graham reception, a 24 yd reception by TE Nate Jackson, and a 12 yd reception by WR Brandon Stokley. Henry also contributed 19 yds. The drive stalled at 4th and 2 on the 4 and Elam kicked another FG, this time from 22 yds out.
14 - 13 Colts lead
The Colts answered with another TD, this time a 9 yd pass to Clark. Key Plays: Addai 14 yd run, WR Reggie Wayne 13 yd reception. Denver went 3 and out on their next possession when they chose to punt on 4th and 1 at their own 29. The Colts started their next drive on their own 26 right after the two-minute warning. Colts QB Peyton Manning ran his no huddle offense but got only one big play, a 19 yd pass to WR Anthony Gonzalez. Offsetting penalties on 3rd and 5 gave the Colts a second chance but an incomplete pass forced the punt and Denver got the ball back on their own 8 with 00:49. They got off 2 plays and a 1st down to end the half.

3rd Quarter:
21 - 13 Colts lead
Indianapolis got the ball first to open the second half. In 7 plays, the Colts drove 73 yds where Manning scored on a QB sneak from the 1. All but one play gained a 1st down - Addai 17, 12 and 10 yd runs, TE Bryan Fletcher 12 and 21 yd receptions.
28 - 13 Colts lead
Denver started their next possession at their own 15. On 2nd and 7, Cutler's pass intended for Marshall was intercepted by Colts DB Marlin Jackson, setting up a Colts drive on the Denver 24. Four plays later, Indy was in the end zone again with a 3 yd TD reception by Clark.
28 - 20 Colts lead
The Broncos ate 7:45 off the clock with their steady drive down the field. The 14 play, 79 drive culminated in a Cutler TD up the middle for 2 yds. The Broncos converted on three 3rd downs, one of which was an 8 yd gain by Stokley on 3rd and 7. Key Plays: Henry 11 yd run, RB Cecil Sapp 10 yd reception, Young 14 yd run. Henry was injured during the drive.

4th Quarter:
35 - 20 Colts lead
The Colts answered with a 5 yd TD reception by Wayne. Key Plays: Addai 13 yd run, Clark 27 yd reception, RB Kenton Keith 22 yd run. Addai was injured during the drive.
38 - 20 Colts Win
Denver gained only 15 yds on their next drive and punted back to Indy. The Colts drove 76 yds to the 4 where K Adam Vinatieri kicked a 22 yd FG to seal the win. Key Plays: Keith 13 and 11 yd runs, Clark 13 yd reception. Denver got the ball back with 2:34 left in the game. Following 9 and 8 yd gains, Cutler was sacked at the 37 for a loss of 6. He fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Colts Jackson for the 2nd Broncos turnover of the game. Manning then knelt out the clock.

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