Broncos’ Osweiler tames Colts
INDIANAPOLIS — Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler ran for one touchdown and threw for two more Thursday night to lead the Broncos past Indianapolis 25-13.
Osweiler replaced the injured Trevor Siemian in the first quarter and played his best football of the season.
The Broncos (5-10) needed it. After ending an eight-game losing streak Sunday, they picked up their first road win since Dec. 4, 2016.
For Indianapolis (3-11), it was more of the same. The Colts blew an early 10-0 lead and have now lost five in a row, the longest skid of coach Chuck Pagano’s six-year tenure.
Osweiler looked more like the player Denver envisioned when it drafted him in the second round in 2012, and the guy who filled in for an injured Peyton Manning during the Broncos’ 2015 Super Bowl season.
He was 12 of 17 with 194 yards and took the Broncos on three second-half scoring drives — giving the NFL’s top-rated defence more than enough points.
“[Osweiler] played with great poise. He played great, clean football and it led to a win,” Denver coach Vance Joseph said. “It’s just fun to win.”
C.J. Anderson ran 30 times for a season high 158 yards.
But it was a rugged night.
Siemian went to the locker room with an injured left shoulder after Barkevious Mingo drove him into the ground on the Broncos’ second series. Siemian did not return and the Broncos had no immediate details on the injury.
The scariest moment came with 14:01 left in the second quarter when Denver linebacker Deiontrez Mount appeared to make helmet-to-helmet contact with Colts tight end Brandon Williams on a punt. Williams was knocked over backward and stayed on the ground as players from both teams dropped to their knees while trainers and doctors strapped him to a backboard and removed his facemask.
Colts officials said Williams had movement in his extremities.