Seven days after holding the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers to just 10 points, the Denver Broncos defense suffered a massive meltdown against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts.
A defense that has made game-chaning plays in the first seven weeks of the season made none. Denver lost the turnover battle 2-0 thanks to two Peyton Manning interceptions.
A defense that had made quarterbacks pay all year on third down got burned over and over again by Luck’s ability to scramble and his ability to pick up the blitz.
A defensive interior that had been stout all season was gashed for 120 yards and a touchdown.
A defense that ranked first in yards allowed heading into the game gave up 365 on the day, including 245 yards against what was also the best pass defense in the league entering play on Sunday.
A defense that had allowed the fewest points per game, just 16, nearly allowed double that number. Indy sealed the day with a 27-24 win that might have been 30-24 if not for a terrible penalty that took Denver officially and completely out of the game.
A defense that had been aggressive in weeks past came unglued. Three terrible penalties to close out the game kept Peyton Manning on the sideline instead of putting the ball in his hands with more than a minute to play and needing a touchdown.
It was as complete a meltdown as the No. 1 defense in the league could suffer and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Denver walked into Lucas Oil Stadium with a chance to hand Peyton Manning the all-time records in passing yards and, more importantly, wins. The first-ballot Hall of Famer walked out empty-handed, perhaps for the last time in Indianapolis.
But give credit where credit is due. Chuck Pagano had the game plan to beat the Broncos and Andrew Luck played one of the grittiest games of his career.
This one is going to sting for a long, long time.
As always, the Mile High Sports crew was plugged in throughout, along with the rest of the Denver media, as the game unfolded. Here’s what they all had to say about the total fail on the defense’s part…
Defense finally at fault…
For the first time all year the #Broncos defense lost the game for them. Awful on 3rd downs and undisciplined in the clutch. #DENvsIND
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) November 9, 2015
I knew penalties would bite this team big time at some point and there you go. 6 defensive penalties for a lot of yards. #DENvsIND
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) November 9, 2015
Eh. They were both bad picks. But this one's on the D. https://t.co/pD8FuHrNyW
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) November 9, 2015
The Colts had the ball for 40 minutes because Denver couldn't make a stop on third down. That's on the D. Again. #Broncos
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 9, 2015
Third down problems plagued the Broncos all day…
Broncos defense on third down has been dismal today. Reading their own press clippings!
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 8, 2015
Colts are 10-16 on 3rd down. That's no bueno. The blitz hasn't bothered them at all.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) November 8, 2015
Jack Del Rio would be so proud of how badly this defense can't get off the field on third down…
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) November 9, 2015
Luck can beat you on the ground or in the air or against the blitz…
Andrew Luck out rushing the #Broncos RBs 31-11
— Mark Haas (@markhaastv) November 8, 2015
Andrew Luck has handled the Broncos blitz better than any QB this season
— Robin Carlin (@robincarlin) November 8, 2015
Broncos are blitzing the hell out of Luck and he's seeing it…doing a great job of finding the hot receiver.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) November 8, 2015
Too many wide-open receivers underneath and outside today. Luck is still exploiting the pass rush.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 9, 2015
Once again, the Broncos hit Luck. Once again, he finds the open receiver, knowing he'll take the hit. Luck has been fearless today.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 9, 2015
It was Talib’s inexcusable penalty that had the Broncos grasping…
Aqib Talib's personal foul penalty cost the #Broncos the game.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 9, 2015
The dumbest penalty of all time! On the Broncos vaunted D. Get control, Wade!
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 9, 2015
Well there you have it. Veteran player pulls the old eye gouge to lose game. Nice. #DENvsINDY
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) November 9, 2015
Wow, Talib poked him right in the eye on purpose. So dirty.
— Marc Moser TV (@RadioMoser) November 9, 2015
Something tells me Aqib will opt not to join us on XML tomorrow night after that Three Stooges video goes viral. We'll see.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) November 9, 2015
Stupid stupid penalty by Talib.. That's likely going to draw a fine.. Can't lose cool
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 9, 2015
If there was a time to gouge an eye, this was not it…
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) November 9, 2015
When the #Broncos now go to NE in the playoffs I hope Talib feels good he maintained his rep. #dumbteamsdontwinSuperBowls
— Chad Andrus (@chadandrus) November 9, 2015
And an even more inexcusable penalty on the final field goal try iced it for the Colts…
And a holding call on the field-goal attempt officially ends it … automatic first down, one kneeldown, 27-24 Colts will be the final.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 9, 2015
You have Peyton Manning standing on the sidelines and you take that penalty when the other team is running out the clock? Beyond dumb!
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) November 9, 2015
And so they tacked on one more for good (bad) measure…
And Talib draws an unsportsmanlike conduct for touching the official. Complete loss of composure by the defense.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 9, 2015
Aqib Talib doing his best to get tossed from the premises
— Paul Klee (@bypaulklee) November 9, 2015
The scariest thought of the day, though, is that Pagano showed (again) how to beat the Broncos…
Regardless the outcome. Seems #Colts have cracked the code little on how to beat #Broncos aggressive Def. quick slants & bootleg w/ athl. QB
— Nick Griffith (@NickGriffithTV) November 9, 2015
Opposing offenses in future weeks will mimic the Colts' game plan … Broncos D will have to adjust.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 9, 2015