Indianapolis Colts rookie CB Johnathan Edwards will be one of the players relied on to replace Charvarius Ward this week. He spoke to reporters on Friday about the opportunity ahead. (video via Jake Arthur)
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts (1-0) crossed one big burden off of their list last week when they won their first season opener since 2013. Next, they look to start 2-0 for the first time since 2009.
In their way are the Denver Broncos (1-0), a reigning playoff team that defeated the Colts last year in Week 15 by a score of 31-13, essentially shutting the door on Indy's postseason chances.
The Colts are a different team now, though (as are the Broncos), coming off a 33-8 beatdown of the Miami Dolphins at home in Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Colts now aim to build on their momentum and establish legitimacy, as they seek a win streak while also seeking redemption for last year's late-season defeat.
Here is everything you need to know about Sunday’s battle between the Colts and Broncos.
Broadcast Information
- Date/Time: Sunday, Sept. 14, at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Where: Indianapolis, Ind.; Lucas Oil Stadium
- Television: CBS — Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Trent Green (color), Melanie Collins (sideline)
- Stream: Paramount+, NFL+, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube/YouTubeTV
- Radio: ESPN Radio — Chris Carlin (play-by-play), Darius Butler (color) | WIBC HD 2 — Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Rick Venturi (color), Larra Overton (sideline)
All-Time Series
- Broncos lead, 15-12. The Colts have won two of the last three matchups, dating back to 2019.
- Last game: Week 15 of 2024; Broncos won, 31-13.
Coaching Staff
- Colts: head coach Shane Steichen; offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter; defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo; special teams coordinator Brian Mason
- Broncos: head coach Sean Payton; offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi; defensive coordinator Vance Joseph; special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi
Injury Report
Colts
- QUESTIONABLE — RB Tyler Goodson (elbow), DE Laiatu Latu (hamstring)
- OUT — CB Jaylon Jones (hamstring), CB Charvarius Ward (concussion)
Broncos
- OUT — TE Nate Adkins (ankle), LB Dre Greenlaw (quad)
Storylines/Keys
- Establishing An Identity: There were so many positives in the Colts' lopsided 25-point victory last week that it's unrealistic to expect that each week. So, will we begin to see the Colts' identity on Sunday? What will they try to establish as pillars of their system, and what will they truly excel at? Conversely, in what areas will they come back to Earth?
- Offense Must Attack Middle of Field: Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has almost always been at his best with quick strikes toward the outside and by capitalizing on play-action shots down the perimeter when available. However, Denver's defense is generous over the middle of the field, which showed in last year's matchup. Not only could the Colts' run game prosper in this matchup, but players such as Michael Pittman Jr., Tyler Warren, and Josh Downs could be huge over the middle of the field.
- Lou Anarumo Scheming Colts Defense to Success: Last week, we saw the Colts defense completely throw Miami off their game by confusing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with where the coverages were placed, and the players executing their tasks to near perfection. This has also worked in the past against Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. Especially since the Colts will be shorthanded without Ward, expect this to be a battle of wits between Anarumo and Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
Intriguing Matchups
- Colts LT Bernhard Raimann vs. Broncos ED Nik Bonitto: Bonitto lines up on the offense's left side most of the time and did so 88% of the time last week, so the weight falls on Raimann to try to keep him in check. This is the type of matchup that the Colts signed Raimann to a $100 million contract for. He cannot let Bonitto wreck shop if the Colts hope to have offensive success.
- Colts WR Josh Downs vs. Broncos NCB Ja'Quan McMillian: Downs was relatively quiet last week, catching two of three targets, although one was a conversion on fourth down. Still, the assumption is that a quarterback like Jones would feed a slot receiver such as Downs, so to see him have just three targets last Sunday was a surprise. The Broncos present a different challenge than last week, as the Colts are likely to avoid throwing to whomever Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is guarding. That could leave open more opportunities for Downs to win matchups against McMillian, who had a strong performance last week.
- Colts CB Xavien Howard vs. Broncos WR Courtland Sutton: The Broncos have a couple of receivers in Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. that can fly down the field. While Sutton has plenty of ability to stretch the field as well, he's bigger and not as reliant on explosiveness. That could be a good matchup for Howard, who may be more likely to struggle against faster receivers like Franklin and Mims.
Projected Weather
- Retractable roof/window stadium, partly cloudy, temperature mid-80s, 0% chance of precipitation, wind ESE 7 mph, per Weather.com
Referee Assignment
- Head referee: Craig Wrolstad (23 years), per FootballZebras.com. Wrolstad's crew ranks fourth out of 17 crews in most penalties called per game (18.0) in 2025, per NFLPenalties.com.
Betting Line
- Favorite: Broncos (-2.5), per ESPN Bet Sportsbook
- Over/Under: 43.5
SEASON LEADERS
COLTS
- Passing: QB Daniel Jones (272 yards)
- Rushing: RB Jonathan Taylor (71 yards)
- Receiving: WR Michael Pittman Jr. (80 yards)
- PFF OL Run Block: LG Quenton Nelson (79.7)
- PFF OL Pass Block: RG Matt Goncalves (83.1)
- Non-Pass TD: QB Daniel Jones (2)
- Tackles: LB Joe Bachie, S Nick Cross, CB Charvarius Ward (6)
- Tackles for Loss: S Nick Cross, DE Samson Ebukam, DE Kwity Paye, S Rodney Thomas II (1)
- Sacks: S Nick Cross, DE Samson Ebukam, CB Kenny Moore II (1.0)
- Takeaways: S Cam Bynum, CB Xavien Howard, DE Laiatu Latu (1)
BRONCOS
- Passing: QB Bo Nix (176 yards)
- Rushing: RB RJ Harvey (70 yards)
- Receiving: WR Courtland Sutton (61 yards)
- PFF OL Run Block: LG Ben Powers (80.7)
- PFF OL Pass Block: LT Garett Bolles (81.1)
- Non-Pass TD: RB J.K. Dobbins, WR Courtland Sutton (1)
- Tackles: S Talanoa Hufanga (10)
- Tackles for Loss: LB Nik Bonitto (2)
- Sacks: DE Zach Allen, LB Nik Bonitto, LB Jonathon Cooper, LB Jonah Elliss, CB Ja'Quan McMillian, LB Justin Strnad (1.0)
- Takeaways: CB Jahdae Barron, S Brandon Jones (1)
KEY STATS
COLTS
- Total Offense: 3rd (418.0 YPG)
- Scoring: 4th (33.0 PPG)
- Pass YPA: T-4th (9.4)
- Sacks Allowed: T-3rd (1)
- Rush YPC: 17th (3.9)
- Red Zone Offense: T-17th (50.0%)
- Giveaways: T-1st (0)
- Third-Down Offense: T-13th (46.7%)
- Total Defense: 3rd (211.0 YPG)
- Scoring Defense: 1st (8.0 PPG)
- Pass YPA Allowed: T-4th (4.7)
- Sacks: T-8th (3)
- Rush YPC Allowed: 30th (6.5)
- Red Zone Defense: T-27th (100.0%)
- Takeaways: T-2nd (3)
- Third-Down Defense: T-21st (50.0%)
- Time of Possession: 1st (38:43)
- Penalties: T-2nd (4.0 avg.)
- Turnover Differential: 1st (+3)
BRONCOS
- Total Offense: T-15th (317.0 YPG)
- Scoring: T-14th (20.0 PPG)
- Pass YPA: T-30th (4.4)
- Sacks Allowed: T-3rd (1)
- Rush YPC: 8th (5.0)
- Red Zone Offense: T-22nd (33.3%)
- Giveaways: 32nd (4)
- Third-Down Offense: T-18th (40.0%)
- Total Defense: 1st (133.0 YPG)
- Scoring Defense: 4th (12.0 PPG)
- Pass YPA Allowed: 1st (4.0)
- Sacks: 2nd (6)
- Rush YPC Allowed: 12th (3.4)
- Red Zone Defense: T-1st (0.0%)
- Takeaways: T-4th (2)
- Third-Down Defense: 1st (14.3%)
- Time of Possession: 12th (31:56)
- Penalties: T-9th (6.0 avg.)
- Turnover Differential: T-29th (-2)
Notes
- The Colts made the following transactions this week: Signed running back Ameer Abdullah, cornerback Keydrain Calligan, and safety Darrick Forrest to the practice squad and released running back Khalil Herbert, offensive lineman Mose Vavao, and safety Trey Washington from the practice squad.
- Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner needs 1.5 sacks to pass Donnell Thompson (40.0) for the fourth-most sacks in franchise history.
- Cornerback Kenny Moore II needs three pass breakups to pass Vontae Davis (65) for the most in franchise history (since at least 1994).
- Running back Jonathan Taylor needs one 100-plus rushing game to pass Eric Dickerson (24) for the second-most in franchise history.
- The Colts are hosting a white-out theme at Lucas Oil Stadium for the game and are encouraging fans to be decked out in all-white.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast, can be seen on WTHR+, and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.