He aggravated the injury after returning to play in the third quarter. (Denver is) a really good defense.
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There were some question marks coming into the season as to whether the Broncos’ defense could mirror that of previous year, but after holding the defending league MVP to a 69.5 passer rating, and arguably the most talented quarterback in the league to a 64.3 passer rating, they are making a strong case that they are not just as good as last season, but better. The next drive, former center Jonotthan Harrison allowed two, count them, two sacks on Luck. Aaron Rodgers threw for 77 yards last season against this defense. The cornerback leapt to intercept a Siemian pass in the second quarter and had a clear path to the end zone for a touchdown that would have tied the score at 10.
All in all, the Denver defense tallied five sacks, forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and had an interception returned for a touchdown. He finished 21/40 for 197 yards and one touchdown with an interception. Not good numbers for a team that has to have their quarterback play at a high level to win games. The toughest piece of the puzzle for a championship football team to acquire is the quarterback, and the Colts have a potential great one.
That gave Luck the ball down 26-20 with less than two minutes to play and led to Miller’s heroics.
Of course, despite Ray’s big play, Miller still had to give him some grief after the touchdown. It’s very simple: You can’t be one-dimensional against the Denver Broncos. “Maybe when I get in this good game shape, I can turn (it) on”. Only Rod Woodson (12), Charles Woodson (11) and Darren Sharper (11) have more pick-sixes. TJ Ward was sticking people hard all day. “He’s the guy I want rushing off the edge on fourth-and-10 and last play of the game”. There is no consistency with this side of the ball and with injury what you get week-to-week is a mystery.
Offensively, the Broncos penetrated the Colts’ 40-yard line on seven of their nine possessions Sunday, but only came away with a single TD to show for it.
In fact, you could argue that Miller’s entire career has been one of pressure and time. With a glimmer of hope left before the game got way out of hand, Luck and the offense came out and their stay on the field was a little bit longer than the last two drives. “He made a great play and that’s why he is what he is”, Pagano said when asked about trying to mitigate Von Miller. Luck previously had avoided sacks and thrown the ball downfield to T.Y. Hilton and his other playmakers. “It was third down, and (defensive coordinator) Ted (Monachino) was asking if we had enough to go sub personnel”.
NOTES: Pagano also said cornerback Antonio Cromartie (shoulder) should be all right and outside linebacker Trent Cole (back) will continue to be evaluated on a daily basis. Remember last week when he wasn’t going to make any excuses? Injuries or no injuries, tackling is the most basic thing a defensive player does. Or are they even better than before? What Miller does is pump so much fear into the hearts of great quarterbacks that they begin to lose the nerve to make great plays.
Talib stepped in front of wide receiver Phillip Dorsett to snag Luck’s pass, which he returned through traffic down Denver’s jubilant sideline. He looked lost in the red zone.
The defense couldn’t stop the Detroit Lions from driving down the field and kicking the game-winning field goal in the final 37 seconds of the Week 1 loss. For the Broncos, it was to hold onto the lead and take the win. That is devastating to a defense, especially one that’s struggling. The 2013 Colts draft class has scattered to the four corners of their post-football careers, and the 2014 class is represented by only Jack Mewhort and Donte Moncrief. He’s having a MRI done. “I already know he’s going to get it”.
The incident still is shrouded in some mystery given Talib won’t say much about it and that both the Dallas police department and the National Football League have said it’s still under review.
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The list of players the Colts haven’t had because of injuries in one or both of the first two games is nearly as entertaining as the players they’ve had on the field: cornerback Vontae Davis (ankle), cornerback Patrick Robinson (concussion), defensive lineman Henry Anderson (knee), safety Clayton Geathers (foot), safety T.J. Green (knee), Butler (ankle/hamstring), receiver Donte Moncrief (shoulder).
