The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Colts grind out a 12-9 victory in game with no touchdowns
DENVER >> Stephon Gilmore batted away Russell Wilson’s pass to Courtland Sutton in the end zone on fourth-and-1 from the 5 to give the Indianapolis Colts a 12-9 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.
Gilmore also intercepted Wilson’s pass in the fourth quarter to help set up Chase Mclauglin’s tying field goal.
Mclauglin connected from 47 yards 4:10 into overtime to give the Colts (2-2-1) the lead in the first game in NFL history that pitted quarterbacks with at least four Pro Bowl appearances each, but it featured zero touchdowns.
The Broncos (2-3) decided against a tying chip-shot field goal by Brandon Mcmanus, and Wilson lined up in the shotgun next to running back Melvin Gordon, then threw incomplete over the middle.
Matt Ryan grinded out the victory despite throwing two interceptions into the hands of safety Caden Sterns, fumbling for the 10th time this season and getting sacked six times, giving him 21 so far.
Mclaughlin sent it to overtime with a 31-yarder with 5 seconds left in regulation after Gilmore intercepted Wilson’s pass to Jerry Jeudy in the end zone on third-and-4 from the 13.
That kick capped the Colts’ longest drive of the night, 68 yards in 10 plays.
The Colts won the overtime coin toss and Ryan drove them into field-goal range again.
Many fans were wondering if this game would be one of revenge — Phillip Lindsay returning to his hometown to beat the Broncos — or redemption — Gordon atoning for his big fumble Sunday that was returned 68 yards for a touchdown by the Raiders. It turned out to be neither. Lindsay ran for 40 yards on 11 carries ad Gordon had 54 yards on 15 carries, but he was flipped by safety Rodney Mcloyd Jr. at the 6 on his way to the end zone when it appeared he had an open path to the winning touchdown.