Colts vs. Broncos: Twitter Reaction and Full Postgame Quotes

Despite a brilliant comeback attempt in the second half, the Indianapolis Colts fell short against the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football, losing 31-24. 

Peyton Manning, to nobody's surprise, was the game's MVP, going 22-of-36 for 269 yards and three touchdowns. Manning was his brilliant self in the first half, as the Denver offense relentlessly attacked the weak links of the Colts defense (I'm looking at you LaRon Landry and D'Qwell Jackson). 

But Andrew Luck got the better of Manning, and the Denver defense, in the second half, moving the Colts offense at will as he threw over 50 passes. If the Colts ever fix their red-zone execution and play-calling, the offense could be deadly. 

With the game opening up the Sunday Night Football slate, Twitter was abuzz on Sunday night, with plenty of hot takes available for our viewing pleasure. 

"

Lot of people will criticize Colts defense tonight, and they were bad in 1st half. 2nd half, though, was a very good showing.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 8, 2014"

This might be a common viewpoint from the game, and while I don't disagree completely, it should be noted that the Broncos shot themselves in the foot with multiple drops and overthrows from Peyton Manning in the second half. 

The bright side is that the Colts did have stout run defense for most of the half, which allowed them to keep Manning and Co. from running off too much of the clock. The Colts also were able to scheme a few blitzes that got to Manning and made him uncomfortable. 

The secondary proved that it will still be inconsistent, however, and the team lacks a true playmaker without Robert Mathis on the field. The four-man pass rush was nonexistent. 

"

I mean, damn, Pep Hamilton. Just punt on 2nd down if that's the best you've got.

— Collin McCollough (@cmccollo) September 8, 2014"

"

What do the colts brass see in pep Hamilton that the rest of us don't? Does luck like these calls?

— Will Carroll (@injuryexpert) September 8, 2014"

Twitter was rife with criticism for offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton throughout the game, but namely after a few 2nd-and-Teens draws for Trent Richardson and two series inside the 5-yard line that netted three points combined. 

Both issues have existed in Indianapolis for the last year, and it's something that must be fixed if the Colts want to be an elite offense. If the Colts continue to struggle in key situations, watch the pressure on Hamilton rise. He has the tools for an elite passing offense with Luck and his pass-catching weapons, now he must make it happen.

"

And again, more clearly this time. A split second before the last one. Hits Wayne in the head. This is a easy call. pic.twitter.com/phrnaMSpGB

— Nate Dunlevy (@NateDunlevy) September 8, 2014"

With under a minute remaining, the Colts faced a 4th-and-1, and Luck's pass to Wayne down the field was incomplete. There was certainly contact on the play, and prior to the ball arriving. 

Do you want to see a team convert a potentially game-ending fourth down on a penalty? Of course not. Was there contact enough to call it, in any situation? Definitely. Does it matter? Not really, the Colts dug their own grave in this one.

"

Hilton on 4th-and-goal stop: "(Denver) just jumped the snap count and before Luck could get the ball, they were already in the backfield."

— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) September 8, 2014"

On one of the Colts' fruitless drives in the red zone, the Colts faced a 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line. They chose to run a quarterback sneak, and it failed miserably. Luck was stopped immediately, and Hilton's comments about them jumping the snap make perfect sense. 

One defensive tackle in particular dove low and was able to keep Luck from having any room to plant for a push, and the play went nowhere. The play call may have been a bit questionable considering the Colts' interior offensive line and it being fourth down, but that's a different conversation. 

"

Going back to playoffs, Colts D has allowed an average of 39 points and 432 yards in the last three games. Haven't fixed anything in 2 years

— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) September 8, 2014"

Defensive quality was certainly an issue on Sunday, but the Colts were also defending against Peyton Manning. They still are on pace to be an improved unit this year, but they have not shown anything worthy of being called a top defense in the league.  

"

The Colts made a million mistakes and only lost by 7 at Denver. They are going to win a lot of games this yr.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) September 8, 2014"

The bottom line is, the Colts are still going to be a good football team this season, if you consider a divisional winner and playoff team good. They have their flaws, and some are quite glaring. They are not one of the elite teams in the league. But an easy schedule and Luck at quarterback make a world of difference. I stand by my original prediction of 12-4.

Luck is simply too good for the Colts to not win double-digit games. Unless something catastrophic happens, the Colts will be the class of the AFC South and will visit the postseason for the third consecutive year.  

Other Colts Quotes:

Ahmad Bradshaw, on his return to the field, via Colts.com: "It felt great. I'm blessed to be out there playing this game. I was ready to go, to be out on the field, and it felt great."

Bradshaw was phenomenal in this one, both on the ground and in the passing game. The difference between him and Richardson was clear, and Bradshaw should see his touches rise as long as he stays healthy.

On the RBs' involvement in the passing game, he said, "We didn't plan on it that way. It kept opening up. We went in at halftime and we noticed that and corrected a couple mistakes. In the second half we were able to get the backs a couple times and make something happen."

The running backs should have been a key part of the passing game plan from the very beginning, but it was nice to see this adjustment from Hamilton. With the weapons at wide receiver, the Colts could get a lot of mileage out of Bradshaw and Richardson underneath.

"

(On the missed opportunities in the red zone) They were just being physical and we have to be prepared for anything. We were able to get to the inch-line, maybe if we stretch it out one more time, break the plane, it would be a different ballgame.

 

"

Andrew Luck, via Colts.com: 

"

A lot of early opportunities that we didn't take advantage of. We put the defense in a tough position, being out there for what seemed like 90, 100 plays in the first half. We have to do a better job offensively. We didn't make the plays when they really, really counted. Wasted opportunities. Wish I could have that fourth down on the goal line back, it was a bad call by me.

"

The missed opportunities were certainly the theme of the game, be it the failed red-zone trips, dropped interceptions or failing to recover forced fumbles. 

Head coach Chuck Pagano, via Colts.com: 

"

(On return of Reggie Wayne, Dwayne Allen and Bradshaw) What a lift, what a spark. They all made plays, they're all playmakers, they're all tough, they're all gym rats.

"

Returning players gave the Colts a much-needed element on Sunday, with Wayne and Allen providing Luck with possession receivers while Bradshaw was elusive and decisive all night.