Horseshoes vs. Horsepower: Colts host Broncos in 2-0 chase
Denver (1–0) at Indianapolis (1–0) — Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
INDIANAPOLIS — After snapping the Week-1 jinx in emphatic fashion, the Colts aim to start 2–0 for the first time since 2009. They didn’t just win the opener—they became the first NFL team since 1977 to score on every offensive possession. If Indy scores on its first three drives Sunday, it would mark 10 straight scoring possessions to open a season, an NFL first.
Blueprint & battlegrounds
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When Indy has the ball:
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Daniel “Indiana” Jones piloted the debut like a seasoned jockey (22-of-29 for 272, 2 goal-line keepers, 1 TD pass, 0 turnovers). The timing game to Michael Pittman Jr. and the tight ends was on-schedule all afternoon.
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Rookie TE Tyler Warren looked ready-made (7 catches, 76 yards), especially on option routes and play-action leaks; he’s the chain-grease on 3rd-and-manageable.
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O-line vs. octane: Denver led the NFL with 63 sacks last year, then posted six more in Week 1. Edge Nik Bonitto just signed his extension and produced nine pressures in the opener; interior help must squeeze the pocket firm and pass off games cleanly.
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When Denver has the ball:
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Bo Nix is coming off a three-giveaway outing (the Broncos were the only team to win in Week 1 despite losing the turnover battle). Expect DC Lou Anarumo to spin the disguise dial—sim pressures, late-rotating safeties, and robber looks on in-breakers.
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Keep the lid on explosives, rally to tackle, and make Denver earn it in 10-play drives.
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X-factors & matchups
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Perimeter chess: Patrick Surtain II (reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year) can erase a side. Indy’s answer is formation variety, motion, and distribution—get everyone on the route tree, force zone rules, and attack matchups 2–5.
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Runways & red zone: Jonathan Taylor and the downhill menu set up QB keepers and pop passes inside the 10; keep that low-red efficiency humming.
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Hidden yards: Indy’s coverage units and return game won the hidden-yardage battle last week; stack short fields and the scoreboard keeps ringing.
The vibe: Coach Shane Steichen amped camp physicality to banish slow starts, and it showed. Now it’s about stacking clean, disciplined football—particularly the penalty ledger—against a fast, violent Denver front. Goal: 2–0 and a fresh set of historical mileposts in the rearview.