INDIANAPOLIS — The Broncos had the game won, until they didn't.
As Colts kicker Spencer Shrader's 60-yard field-goal attempt fell short, it seemed the Broncos had escaped Lucas Oil Stadium with a win and improved to 2-0.
Then, the penalty flag became evident. The Colts moved 15 yards closer. Shrader made the next attempt. The Colts earned a 29-28 win. And the Broncos fell to 1-1.
"Obviously, a disappointing loss," Head Coach Sean Payton said. "We did a lot of things late in that game to keep us from winning. It'll be painful to watch that film, and yet, we'll get the corrections made. It starts with me, our staff. We had a number of opportunities to not be in that position late, and unfortunately we shot ourselves in the foot too many times."
Payton and the Broncos, though, pointed to far more moments than just the end-of-game kick.
After the Broncos scored three first-half touchdowns and another touchdown on the opening possession of the second half to widen their lead, Denver did not score again. Denver made it to Colts territory on each of its ensuing and final three drives, but the Broncos could not add to their advantage.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Broncos forced an incompletion on an Indianapolis fourth-and-2 at midfield to seemingly swing the game in their direction. A first-half fourth-down stop gave the Broncos the lead — one they held until there was no time left on the clock — and the second-half iteration seemed equally valuable. A field goal would have pushed the lead back to eight. A touchdown, which seemed possible when the Broncos faced a third-and-3 at the Indianapolis 28-yard line, would have given Denver its first double-digit lead of the game. Nix, though, was intercepted as he looked for Courtland Sutton down the field in an effort to add to a five-point lead.
"I felt like it slipped away from us," Nix said. "Got away. We made errors at the end that cost us. Started with my turnover and then felt like that's when we kind of lost a little bit of our momentum. Lost a chance at at least three points there when you're already [near] the red zone, if not a touchdown, if I just hit that pass. We played well for three quarters, but [we've] got to finish in the fourth against a good team like that."
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor broke free for a 68-yard carry on the next drive, the biggest play of a 215-yard performance from the running back. Still, the Broncos held the Colts to a field goal, and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper nearly had an interception on third-and-8 as Denver brought pressure on Daniel Jones. Yet while the Colts were just 2-of-6 in the red zone on Sunday, the penultimate field goal brought them within two points.
"I think we shot ourselves in the foot a few times," cornerback Pat Surtain II said. "We didn't capitalize and get off the field defensively like how we should've. It was just one of those games. In the NFL, you've got to win the close ones — find a way to win. We didn't."
And yet, again, it seemed the Broncos had earned a win on their next possession. Running back J.K. Dobbins carried three consecutive times for a first down to start the drive. Nix found tight end Evan Engram for a first down to keep working the clock. Dobbins broke free for a 23-yard dash to push the ball to the Colts' 25-yard line. Even after a pair of penalties, the Broncos still fought back to give Wil Lutz a chance at a 42-yard field goal. The kick, though, hit the upright.
"Obviously, everyone's got to look in the mirror and figure out what they can do better to help the team get over the hump there," said tackle Mike McGlinchey, who emphasized the loss didn't fall solely on Lutz or any one player. "There's no way we should've lost that game. We had probably six or seven opportunities in the second half to end it, and we didn't. Coach said it best after the game: You've got to learn to win. But in order to do that, you've got to stop losing. We gave that game away today."
The final example came on the last drive of regulation, as the Colts missed the kick — and then were given a second chance at a game-winning field goal. And instead of a second consecutive win to begin the season, the Broncos somehow left Indianapolis with a loss.
"There will be a bitter taste in our mouth for a little bit," Payton said, "and it's because we put ourselves in a position to control that game late — and then it slipped out of our hands. It's hard."
View photos of the Broncos' Week 2 game vs. the Indianapolis Colts by team photographers Gabriel Christus and Ben Swanson.
Bo Nix (10) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Sean Payton during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Jonah Elliss (52) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
A general view during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
John Franklin-Myers during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Pat Surtain II and Brandon Jones (22) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Eyioma Uwazurike during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Nik Bonitto during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Nik Bonitto during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins (27) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Bo Nix (10) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Pat Bryant (13) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Marvin Mims Jr. (19) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Marvin Mims Jr. (19) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Marvin Mims Jr. and Bo Nix during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Jonathon Cooper (0) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Jonathon Cooper during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Jonah Elliss (52) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Jonah Elliss (52) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Riley Moss during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Pat Surtain II (2) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Eyioma Uwazurike during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Bo Nix (10) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin (11) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin (11) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin (11) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Wil Lutz (3) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Jordan Jackson (94) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Jonathon Cooper during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
D.J. Jones (93) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Jahdae Barron (23) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Bo Nix (10) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Pat Bryant (13) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
The offense huddles during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Bo Nix (10) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Bo Nix during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Adam Trautman (82) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Adam Trautman during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Evan Engram and Bo Nix during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
P.J. Locke (6) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
P.J. Locke during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Pat Surtain II during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Pat Surtain II during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin (11) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Riley Moss (21) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
John Franklin-Myers during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Bo Nix during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Bo Nix during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins (27) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Quinn Meinerz and J.K. Dobbins (27) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Nik Bonitto (15) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Justin Strnad (40) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Justin Strnad (40) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Marvin Mims Jr. (19) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Bo Nix (10) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Tyler Badie (28) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton and Brandon Jones during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Alex Singleton (49) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Bo Nix (10) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins (27) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins (27) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Evan Engram (1) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
J.K. Dobbins (27) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Sean Payton during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Jonathon Cooper during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Mike McGlinchey (69) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Talanoa Hufanga (9) during the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indianapolis on September 14, 2025. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
