Shrader’s Last-Second Kick Secures Colts’ 29-28 Win Over Broncos

AP Photo/AJ Mast

INDIANAPOLIS – Spencer Shrader redeemed a missed opportunity in spectacular fashion Sunday, drilling a 45-yard field goal after a penalty gave the Indianapolis Colts a dramatic 29-28 victory over the Denver Broncos. The win marked Indianapolis’ first 2-0 start since 2009. Shrader initially came up short on a 60-yard attempt as time expired, but a Broncos penalty moved the ball 15 yards closer, well within his range. The kicker calmly converted the second attempt, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. “The first kick, I felt the pressure and it threw me off a bit,” Shrader said. “When I saw the flag, it was ‘Reset, reset your mentality.’ You just have to flush the past and focus on the moment.” Trailing by two points with 3:15 left, the Colts ran a conservative drive led by Jonathan Taylor, who carried the ball seven times, while Daniel Jones threw just once. Taylor’s efforts gained 26 yards, setting up Shrader’s game-winning attempt. The Broncos’ Dondrea Tillman was penalized for leverage, giving Indianapolis the crucial yardage advantage. Colts coach Shane Steichen could barely contain his excitement after the kick. “It’s electric in there right now,” he said. “Spencer did a hell of a job finishing it. We found a way to win.” Taylor had another dominant performance with 165 rushing yards on 25 carries and a touchdown reception, marking his 25th 100-yard game and breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson for second-most in franchise history. Jones was efficient in his second start for the Colts, completing 23 of 34 passes for 316 yards with one passing and one rushing touchdown.

Defensively, Indianapolis held strong late. After giving up a 5-yard touchdown run to J.K. Dobbins early in the third quarter, the Colts stopped Denver inside the 10-yard line with Cam Bynum’s interception, leaving Shrader to win the game with a single kick. The Broncos had several missed opportunities of their own. Wil Lutz’s 42-yard attempt hit the right upright with 3:15 remaining, and Denver coach Sean Payton lamented his team’s late-game mistakes. “It’ll be painful to watch that film,” he said. “We put ourselves in position to control the game late. Then it slipped out of our hands.” The high-scoring affair featured strong offensive displays from both teams. Bo Nix threw for 206 yards and three first-half touchdowns for Denver, while Troy Franklin recorded career highs with eight receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. The Colts, meanwhile, continued their historic pace. After opening the season with a perfect 10-for-10 scoring streak on their first three drives, their run was finally halted in the first half by a fourth-and-1 stop on Tyler Warren. Injuries were a concern for both sides. Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II briefly left the game with an ankle issue, while Colts All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson appeared to hurt his knee late in the first half, though both returned to play.

Next week, the Colts face their first road test at Tennessee, while the Broncos travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers.