Game story
In Week 15 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-12-14, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 25–13 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 18 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Brissett (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with -1.37 total EPA, and -9.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Osweiler (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.76 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+21.3% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (2:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep middle to 82-J.Heuerman for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 7 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Osweiler · Denver Broncos · Passing · +19.76 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 2 E. Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +7.04 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
- 3 C. Latimer · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.81 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play
- 4 J. Heuerman · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.31 total EPA · 1 snaps · +5.31 EPA/play
- 5 F. Gore · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.93 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
- 6 C. Anderson · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +3.23 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
- 7 R. Travis · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
- 8 J. Doyle · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.55 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Osweiler — DEN · Passing
B. Osweiler posted the highest total EPA (+19.76) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Denver Broncos's efficiency. Across 24 counted snaps, they averaged +0.82 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.34 EPA) came from Denver Broncos: (11:49) (Run formation) 13-T.Siemian pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 42-K.Moore II at IND 25. 42-K.Moore II to 50 for 25 yards (86-A.Traylor).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Indianapolis Colts — J. Brissett
- Denver Broncos — B. Osweiler
- Denver Broncos — C. Latimer (B. Osweiler pass)
- Denver Broncos — J. Heuerman (B. Osweiler pass)
Field goals
- Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri
- Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri
- Denver Broncos — B. McManus
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the DEN 7 (Q1 53:07) — (8:07) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett scrambles up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 53:02) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez..
The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the DEN 27 (Q2 36:38) — (6:38) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the IND 18 (Q2 31:26) — (1:26) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler scrambles up the middle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q2 31:19) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon..
The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 15–3. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the DEN 21 (Q3 24:17) — (9:17) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the IND 22 (Q3 19:22) — (4:22) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep left to 14-C.Latimer for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q3 19:16) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the IND 54 (Q3 17:47) — (2:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep middle to 82-J.Heuerman for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos registered a safety from the IND 2 (Q3 17:37).
The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the IND 22 (Q4 5:18) — (5:18) (Field Goal formation) 8-B.McManus 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (Q3 17:47) — (2:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep middle to 82-J.Heuerman for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 56:49) — (11:49) (Run formation) 13-T.Siemian pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 42-K.Moore II at IND 25. 42-K.Moore II to 50 for 25 yards (86-A.Traylor).
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1 55:57) — (10:57) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett pass short left to 23-F.Gore to DEN 25 for 22 yards (26-D.Stewart).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 48:33) — (3:33) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short middle to 88-D.Thomas pushed ob at IND 7 for 23 yards (31-Q.Wilson; 41-M.Farley).
- Denver Broncos (Q3 19:22) — (4:22) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep left to 14-C.Latimer for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 56:49) — (11:49) (Run formation) 13-T.Siemian pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 42-K.Moore II at IND 25. 42-K.Moore II to 50 for 25 yards (86-A.Traylor).
- Denver Broncos (Q3 17:47) — (2:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep middle to 82-J.Heuerman for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 46:35) — (1:35) (Field Goal formation) 8-B.McManus 40 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 31:26) — (1:26) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler scrambles up the middle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
J.Brissett led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Brissett (Indianapolis Colts) · 36 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · -9.5% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -1.37 total EPA
- B.Osweiler (Denver Broncos) · 24 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +14.4% CPOE · +0.82 EPA/play · +19.76 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Denver Broncos | Indianapolis Colts |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.112 | -0.065 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.9% | 34.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.495 | -0.038 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.030 | -0.160 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.065 | -0.112 |
| Defensive success rate | 65.2% | 59.1% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Denver Broncos generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.11 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Denver Broncos: 9 drives, +10.42 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Indianapolis Colts: 9 drives, -4.45 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- B. Osweiler (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Brissett (IND) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- B. Osweiler (DEN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 53:07 · DEN 7 · Score 0-6
(8:07) (Shotgun) 7-J.Brissett scrambles up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 53:02 · DEN 15 · Score 0-7
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez. - Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 36:38 · DEN 27 · Score 0-10
(6:38) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 31:26 · IND 18 · Score 6-10
(1:26) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler scrambles up the middle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 31:19 · IND 15 · Score 7-10
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon. - Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q3 24:17 · DEN 21 · Score 7-13
(9:17) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 19:22 · IND 22 · Score 13-13
(4:22) (Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep left to 14-C.Latimer for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 19:16 · IND 15 · Score 14-13
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 17:47 · IND 54 · Score 20-13
(2:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-B.Osweiler pass deep middle to 82-J.Heuerman for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos Safety (+2) — Q3 17:37 · IND 2 · Score 22-13
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 17-B.Osweiler pass to 14-C.Latimer is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completio - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 5:18 · IND 22 · Score 25-13
(5:18) (Field Goal formation) 8-B.McManus 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Denver Broncos vs Indianapolis Colts?
The Denver Broncos beat the Indianapolis Colts 25-13 in Week 15, 2017 on 2017-12-14.
What was the final score of Denver Broncos vs Indianapolis Colts?
The final score was Denver Broncos 25, Indianapolis Colts 13 (DEN 25-13 IND) in Week 15, 2017 on 2017-12-14.
What was the score by quarter in Denver Broncos vs Indianapolis Colts?
Q1: Denver Broncos 0, Indianapolis Colts 7; Q2: Denver Broncos 7, Indianapolis Colts 3; Q3: Denver Broncos 15, Indianapolis Colts 3; Q4: Denver Broncos 3, Indianapolis Colts 0; Final: Denver Broncos 25, Indianapolis Colts 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Denver Broncos vs Indianapolis Colts?
Indianapolis Colts touchdown — J. Brissett (Q1 53:07) Denver Broncos touchdown — B. Osweiler (Q2 31:26) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Latimer (B. Osweiler pass) (Q3 19:22) Denver Broncos touchdown — J. Heuerman (B. Osweiler pass) (Q3 17:47) Indianapolis Colts field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q2 36:38, 3 pts) Indianapolis Colts field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q3 24:17, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q4 5:18, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Denver Broncos vs Indianapolis Colts?
J. Brissett (Indianapolis Colts), 47.2% completion, -9.5% CPOE, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -1.37 total passing EPA. B. Osweiler (Denver Broncos), 50.0% completion, +14.4% CPOE, +0.82 EPA per dropback, +19.76 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Denver Broncos vs Indianapolis Colts?
B. Osweiler (Denver Broncos) led the game in total EPA with +19.76 on passing plays. across 24 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.34 EPA): (11:49) (Run formation) 13-T.Siemian pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 42-K.Moore II at IND 25. 42-K.Moore II to 50 for 25 yards (86-A.Traylor).. The biggest win-probability swing was +21.3%.
Season records after this game
Denver Broncos
Entered 4-9 Now 5-9 W
Indianapolis Colts
Entered 3-10 Now 3-11 L
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