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Fourth quarter, overtime field goals push Colts to 12-9 victory over Broncos in injury-filled Week 5 matchup

It wasn’t pretty, but in the end, the Colts picked up their second win of the season.

DENVER — Matt Ryan kept the faith through all the sacks, interceptions, fumbles and three-and-outs that made for a streaming snooze-fest Thursday night.

“It was just kind of a slog of a game,” the Indianapolis quarterback said after 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 Colts a 12-9 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos.

The game featured seven field goals, a dozen punts, 25 third-down stops, four interceptions and six fumbles — none of which were recovered by the otherwise disruptive defenses.

“Our defense played lights out,” said Ryan, who emerged victorious despite getting sacked six times, giving him 21 so far this season, throwing a pair of interceptions to Caden Sterns and fumbling for the 10th time this season.

“We need to play better for sure, but I'm proud of the guys,” Ryan said. “Wins are what we need. We're right in the mix. ... I thought the two drives at the end showed a lot of guys. You just keep battling — and it helps when your defense is shutting them down, too.”

Gilmore also intercepted Wilson's pass just before the 2-minute mark of the fourth quarter to set up Chase McLaughlin's tying field goal with 5 seconds left.

“That’s the definition of a big-time player making big plays in the moment," Colts coach Frank Reich said about Gilmore. "Isn’t it awesome you can have a game like that and still win?"

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 yet featured zero touchdowns.

The Broncos (2-3) decided against a tying chip-shot field goal by Brandon McManus or even a first-down play on fourth-and-less-and-a-yard from the 5, and Wilson lined up in the shotgun next to running back Melvin Gordon, then threw incomplete over the middle.

“We wanted to win the game,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said. “We hadn't moved the ball very well the whole night and I thought we had a spectacular drive to get all the way down there.”

Wide open and uncovered — but unseen by Wilson — was KJ Hamler, who tore off his helmet and slammed it to the ground after Wilson's final pass was batted away, sending the Broncos and their awful offense to their second loss in four days.

“There's going to be a bunch of what-ifs,” Broncos guard Dalton Risner said. “You know what, if we score that touchdown, everyone thinks it's the best call in the world.”

McLaughlin sent it to overtime with a 31-yarder after Gilmore intercepted Wilson's pass to Tyrie Cleveland in the end zone on third-and-4 from the 13.

“Just can't throw that,” lamented Wilson. "Got to throw it out of bounds if it's not there.”

Wilson was sacked four times and picked off twice. His four TD throws through five games marks the worst start of his 11-year career and he hasn't looked anything like the Broncos expected after giving him a $245 million contract extension before his first snap for Denver.

“It's very simple: at the end of the day I got to be better," Wilson said. “I got to play better. I let the team down tonight. One thing I know about myself is I'm going to respond.”

The game pitted veteran quarterbacks struggling with their new teams. It looked like neither team practiced much during the week because neither team did as they worked in new running backs and key defensive replacements on a short work week.

And as is common on Thursday nights, there was a rash of injuries with the most serious to Indy’s Kwity Payne (leg) and Denver’s Garett Bolles (right knee), both of whom were carted off.

With reigning NFL champion Jonathan Taylor (ankle, toe) out for Indy and the Broncos lamenting the loss of Javonte Williams to a shredded right knee, the grind-it-out nature of the game was entirely expected.

The Colts came in averaging 14.3 points, the lowest in Ryan’s 16-year career, and the Broncos entered the night averaging 16.5 points, the worst in Wilson’s 11-year career.

Nyheim Hines got the start for Indy, but he went out with a head injury after his third snap when D.J. Jones knocked him down and Hines’ helmet bounced on the ground. He wobbled as he tried to leave the field on his own and had to be guided to the sideline, where he was evaluated for a concussion.

REVENGE OR REDEMPTION

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, and 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.

KICKING HIMSELF

While McLaughlin was good from 52, 51, 31 and 48 yards, Brandon McManus was good from 33, 44 and 45 yards but his 34-yard attempt was blocked by Grover Stewart in the third quarter.

INJURIES

Paye was injured on Rodney Thomas II’s 35-yard interception return. Starting C Ryan Kelly (hip) and WR Austin Dulin (foot) also got hurt.

The Broncos lost two starting defenders to knee injuries just before halftime, ILB Josey Jewell and CB Ronald Darby. DE Dre’Mont Jones (head) and LB Baron Browning (wrist) got hurt in the second half as did Bolles.

UP NEXT

The Colts host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 16, and the Broncos visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, Oct. 17.

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Follow all the action in our game blog:

11:45 p.m. - Denver goes for it on 4th & 1 at the Colts' 5-yard line and Wilson's pass is incomplete. Colts win 12-9 in overtime.

11:43 p.m. - Broncos are in a 4th & 1 situation at the Colts' 5-yard line.

11:40 p.m. - Russell Wilson with a deep pass to Jerry Jeudy. Broncos deep into Colts territory.

11:37 p.m. - The field goal is good. Colts lead 12-9 in overtime.

11:36 p.m. - Ryan comes up short on a 3rd down run. Chase McLaughlin on for a 48-yard field goal attempt.

11:34 p.m. - Ryan to Parris Campbell for a first down. Colts at the Broncos' 37-yard line.

11:33 p.m. - Matt Ryan finds Kylen Granson for a first down, then Deon Jackson with a 9-yard run. 

11:31 p.m. - We're underway in overtime.

Fourth Quarter:

11:28 p.m. - We're headed to overtime tied at 9.

11:25 p.m. - And the field goal is good. We're tied at 9 with five seconds left in the fourth quarter.

11:24 p.m. - Colts will attempt a 31-yard field goal, down 9-6 with eights seconds to play in the fourth quarter.

11:22 p.m. - Colts penalized for delay of game. 3rd & 6 from the Broncos' 8-yard line.

11:21 p.m. - The Colts' Deon Jackson with a 17-yard run. Then Ryan finds Jackson for a 9-yard gain. Ryan spikes the ball inside the 10-yard line. 3rd & 1.

11:17 p.m. - Ryan finds Alec Pierce for a 17-yard gain. Then Parris Campbell for a 10-yard gain. Just over one minute to play. Colts at midfield.

11:16 p.m. - Denver forces Matt Ryan to fumble but he recovers the ball.

11:14 p.m. - Wilson's pass to the end zone is intercepted by the Colts' Stephon Gilmore. Colts ball with 2:13 to play.

11:10 p.m. - Wilson completes a pass and Denver converts on 4th & 1. A little over two minutes to play.

11:09 p.m. - The Broncos come up just short on 3rd & 8 and may go for it.

11:02 p.m. - The Broncos are making their way down the field on the ground. They've got a 1st & 10 near the Colts' 35-yard line. Four minutes left in the game.

10:59 p.m. - Ryan connects with Mo Alie-Cox on 3rd & 12 but the Colts can't get the first down and will have to punt once again.

10:52 p.m. - Wilson is sacked at the Denver 20-yard line. Broncos now in a 4th & 2 situation and they'll punt again. 8:34 left in the fourth quarter.

10:51 p.m. - Russell Wilson is back on the field after being evaluated for a head injury.

10:47 p.m. - Matt Ryan is sacked on 3rd & 10. Colts forced to punt.

10:45 p.m. - An unnecessary roughness penalty on Denver gives the Colts a first down at the Broncos' 38-yard line.

10:42 p.m. - Colts defensive end Kwity Paye is being carted off the field with an apparent leg injury.

10:39 p.m. - Wilson's throw on 3rd & 13 is intercepted by Colts safety Rodney Thomas. Colts have the ball at their 39-yard line. 

Third Quarter

10:34 p.m. - Russell Wilson finds Mike Boone who runs it for a 34-yard gain. Denver leads 9-6 at the end of the third quarter.

10:30 p.m. - The Colts can't convert on 3rd & 6 and they'll punt once again. 

10:26 p.m. - The Broncos convert their third field goal of the game and it's 9-6 Denver. 3:23 left in the third quarter.

10:23 p.m. - Matt Ryan's throw on 3rd & 15 is picked off by Caden Sterns, the second time that's happened tonight. Broncos with good field position.

10:22 p.m. - Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin is questionable to return with a foot injury.

10:18 p.m. - Denver can't find the end zone on 3rd & Goal. And the Colts block the short field goal to keep this game tied at 6.

10:17 p.m. - Broncos with a first and goal and the Colts 9-yard line.

10:15 p.m. - Russell Wilson with a deep pass down field to Courtland Sutton for a 51-yard gain. Then a 9-yard run brings Denver close to another first down at the Colts 13-yard line.

10:10 p.m. - Chase McLaughlin ties this game at 6 with a 51-yard field goal. 8:51 to play in the third quarter.

10:08 p.m. - Deon Jackson with a 13-yard run and the Colts are at the Denver 31-yard line.

10:06 p.m. - Ryan to Pierce for a 13-yard gain and first down at the Colts 41-yard line.

10:01 p.m. - A quick three-and-out for Denver. Colts with the ball at their 34-yard line after the punt.

10:00 p.m. - Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is sacked on 2nd & 10 and recovers his own fumble.

9:58 p.m. - The second half is underway. Denver ball.

Second Quarter

9:56 p.m. - The first half certainly wasn't pretty, but there are a few clear positives for the Colts.

9:45 p.m. - The Broncos lead 6-3 at halftime.

9:44 p.m. - Denver fumbles the ball but recovers. Just four seconds left in the first half.

9:40 p.m. - Chase McLaughlin converts the 52-yard field goal and the Colts are on the board. 6-3 Broncos with seconds left in the first half.

9:40 p.m. - Ryan connects with Pierce for a 10-yard gain on 3rd & 38. Colts will attempt a field goal.

9:39 p.m. - Ryan is sacked again, likely taking the Colts out of field goal range. with 30 seconds left in the first half.

9:36 p.m. - Ryan finds Ashton Dulin for an 18-yard gain, then Pittman Jr. for an 11-yard gain. Ryan then fumbles on the next play but the Colts recover the ball. It's a loss of 18 yards.

9:33 p.m. - Matt Ryan connects with Michael Pittman Jr. for a 19-yard gain as the Colts reach midfield.

9:28 p.m. - The call on the field is reversed. Colts get the first down and keep their challenge.

9:25 p.m. - Matt Ryan finds Alec Pierce on 3rd down but the Colts are being spotted just short of a first down. Indianapolis challenges the call.

9:22 p.m. - Colts center Ryan Kelly has left the game and is questionable to return with a hip injury.

9:18 p.m. - Denver can't pick up enough yards on 3rd & 16 and will punt the ball back to the Colts. This will be the seventh punt in the game.

9:12 p.m. - Ryan's pass on 2nd & 10 is picked off at the 15-yard line by Denver and the Colts' strong drive ends with nothing to show for it. 

9:11 p.m. - Phillip Lindsay with a 15-yard run as the Colts reach the Denver 24-yard line.

9:09 p.m. -  Ryan finds Alec Pierce, who fumbles the ball. Colts recover the fumble and have a first down.

9:07 p.m. - Matt Ryan finds wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. for a 15-yard gain as the Colts reach midfield.

9:02 p.m. - The Broncos convert a 44-yard field goal and Denver leads 6-0 early in the second quarter.

8:57 p.m. - The Broncos pick up a few first downs and have made it to the Colts' 39-yard line.

First Quarter

8:53 p.m. - The first quarter ends with the Broncos leading 3-0.

8:52 p.m. - Matt Ryan is sacked and the Colts have to punt again. They just haven't gotten anything going offensively in the the first quarter.

8:51 p.m. - Colts running back Nyheim Hines has been ruled out for the remainder of the game due to NFL concussion protocols, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

8:49 p.m. - The Broncos with another three-and-out. Colts ball at their 32-yard line.

8:47 p.m. - The Colts offense is struggling to get anything going early in this one.

8:44 p.m. - And now it's the Colts with a three-and-out. Ball back to the Broncos, who lead 3-0 with a little over four minutes left in the first quarter.

8:37 p.m. - A quick three-and-out and Denver punts. Colts' third drive of the game coming up.

8:32 p.m. - The Colts are stopped at midfield and have to punt. 6:25 left in the first quarter, Broncos leading 3-0.

8:30 p.m. - Matt Ryan connects with Deon Jackson for a 21-yard gain.

8:29 p.m. - Nyheim Heims is questionable to return with a head injury.

8:26 p.m. - The Colts defense stops the Broncos in the red zone and Denver settles for a field goal. 3-0 Broncos.

8:24 p.m. - Now Russell Wilson runs it for an 18-yard gain to the Colts' 13-yard line.

8:22 p.m. - The Broncos pick up two quick first downs and are now at the Colts' 31-yard line.

8:18 p.m. - Matt Ryan finds Nyheim Hines on 3rd & 7 but Hines is a few yards short of a first down and comes up limping. He's being helped off the field.

8:16 p.m. - A touchback to begin the game.

8:16 p.m. - Denver wins the toss and defers. Colts will receive the kickoff.

7:46 p.m. - Seven players are listed as inactive for the Colts against the Broncos.

7:43 p.m. - The Colts promoted running back Phillip Lindsay and defense tackle Chris Williams to their active roster prior to Thursday night's game.

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