Lucas Oil Stadium rumbled with excitement as the Indianapolis Colts shocked the league once again with a 29-28 victory against the Denver Broncos. Running back Jonathan Taylor and quarterback Daniel Jones led the charge that propelled the Colts to 2-0 on the season after a last-second field goal.
From a team that was originally predicted to be average, with inconsistent quarterback play, Jones and the Colts continue to shock the NFL, proving they could be a potential dark horse in the league this year.
The Broncos were widely regarded as a top five defense that had the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in cornerback Patrick Surtain II and a front five that racked up the most sacks in the entire league in 2024. That very defense was out- schemed and outmatched by the Colts’ offense.
Jones finished the game with 316 passing yards, two total touchdowns, and a passer rating over 100. His co-star, Taylor, ran the ball like a madman, racking up 165 rushing yards and marking his 10th career game with over 150 yards on the ground.
The Broncos were set to be one of the toughest opponents the Colts would face this year because of how dominant their defense has been, paired with the upside of quarterback Bo Nix and their offseason additions at tight end and running back. This win for the Colts wasn’t just a statement game for Taylor and the offense, but it was a glimpse into what’s to come for the Colts and the rest of their season.
Although it’s still very early in the year to tell what teams will be in the playoffs in January, the Colts are making their case in just week two. Jones has revolutionized Shane Steichen’s offensive system in a major way. The Colts coaching staff that’s been known for developing quarterbacks, has made the game far easier for Jones as he’s been able to use his legs and scramble out of the pocket while having someone to dump the ball off to at all times. If Jones is able to continue his early season dominance, the Colts could be looking to play a playoff game on their home turf.
Jones isn’t the only player that deserves credit for their success, however. Former 2021 all pro running back, Jonathan Taylor is looking like his old self again. His performance against the Broncos was a statement to the league, and if he can do that against a top defense like Denver, who’s going to stop him in the coming weeks? His presence on the field opens a world of opportunities for the offense due to the defense’s fixation on trying to stop him. His ability to take over games will come in handy down the stretch of the season as the Colts will be looking to make a playoff push.
Before the season, the Colts were given the eighth easiest strength of schedule based on how their opponents fared in 2024. Although they do have some tough games to come, lots of their schedule is very winnable. They’ll be traveling to hostile environments including Kansas City, Missouri, Inglewood, California, and later to Seattle to play the Seahawks. But other than those four, their schedule consists of many achievable games, and they are yet to play a divisional opponent. In 2024 the AFC South had the lowest win percentage out of all the divisions and 2025 could be more of the same after the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars both lost Sunday September 14th.
If the Colts can continue to improve defensively and maintain their offensive dominance throughout the rest of the season, paired with the fact that they have a relatively easy schedule, Indianapolis could be hosting its first playoff game since 2015 in January.
CORRECTION: This article has been updated to properly reflect the outcome of the Colts-Broncos game.
