The Indianapolis Colts beat the Denver Broncos in overtime to kick off week five of the 2022 NFL season. Both quarterbacks have a day to forget at Mile High Stadium.

Munich/Denver – The Indianapolis Colts celebrated their second win of the season to kick off week five. However, the 12:9 after overtime against the Denver Broncos was a tough affair.

Both Colts quarterback Matt Ryan (251 passing yards, two interceptions) and Denver playmaker Russell Wilson (274 passing yards, two interceptions) failed to get on track. It was the first duel between two quarterbacks who each have at least four Pro Bowl appearances in which not a single touchdown was scored.

Broncos and Colts struggle

In the first quarter, the punters of both teams had a lot to do. Aside from the Broncos’ first drive, which kicker Brandon McManus ended with a 33-yard field goal, neither team was able to capitalise on their own possession.

Early in the second quarter, Wilson took his team to the Colts’ 26-yard line and McManus kicked his second score of the game from 44 yards out to make it 6-0, followed by Ryan’s first interception of the day on a short pass down the middle of the field, but the Broncos failed to score on the ensuing drive.

So Indianapolis got possession of the ball again just before halftime, the drive ending with a field goal by kicker Chase McLaughlin (52 yards) – tying the halftime score.

Wilson throws away the win just before the end

The same picture dominated the second period as well. Both teams struggled to get into the opponent’s redzone as both the Broncos’ (six sacks, five passes defended) and Colts’ (four sacks, seven passes defended) defence were alert and the offences failed to find solutions.

After another converted field goal each, the Broncos had a great chance to win the game at 9-6 with just under two minutes left on the clock. On 3rd & 4, Wilson looked for receiver Tyrie Cleveland, but the pass landed in the hands of cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Overtime thriller: Only the Colts score

The Colts ended the following drive with another field goal and at 9:9 the game went into overtime, which some Broncos fans did not experience – several spectators had seen enough and left the stadium.

In the overtime it was first “Matty Ice” who led the Colts to the 30-yard line. The subsequent kick passed and so it was up to Wilson to decide the game with a touchdown. On 4th &1 at the Colts’ 5-yard line, Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett decided on a pass play, but the ball to wide receiver Courtland Sutton (five receptions, 74 yards) was too imprecise – and the defeat was sealed.

The Indianapolis Colts (2-2-1) face the Jacksonville Jaguars in week six, the Broncos (2-3) travel to the Los Angeles Chargers.