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NFL · Week 1 · September 7, 2014 · 12 min read

Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos: 2014 Week 1 Recap

Broncos defeat Colts 31–24 in Week 1

Paul Manning led Fantasy Impact as Broncos prevailed in a 24–31 Week 1 finish.

Indianapolis Colts 24 0–1
Final 24–31
Denver Broncos 31 1–0 Winner
Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
24–31
Halftime
Indianapolis Colts 7–24 Denver Broncos
Top passer
A. Luck
FantasyHQ MVP
Paul Manning
Game date
September 7, 2014

Top fantasy performers · Colts

  • A.Luck 35/63 · 374 YDS · 3 TD +9.1 Fantasy Impact
  • A.Bradshaw 5 REC · 70 YDS +6.0 Fantasy Impact
  • H.Nicks 5 REC · 36 YDS · 1 TD +2.8 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

  • Paul Manning 22/40 · 259 YDS · 3 TD +13.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Juanyeh Thomas
    Juanyeh Thomas 7 REC · 104 YDS · 3 TD +12.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Eli Sanders 6 REC · 77 YDS +3.2 Fantasy Impact
View Colts vs Broncos box score View all 2014 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
Denver Broncos 31–24 Indianapolis Colts
Halftime
Indianapolis Colts 7–24 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Paul Manning
Top passer
A. Luck
Biggest EPA play
(7:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short right to 83-D.Allen for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2014-09-07

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Indianapolis Colts 31–24 on 2014-09-07. Paul Manning posted a game-high +13.91 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Indianapolis Colts07314024
Denver Broncos32107031

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

INDIndianapolis Colts
DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

16 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DENDenver Broncos
    Q1 5:17FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    IND 3
    Score
    0-3

    (5:17) 8-B.McManus 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  2. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 14:19TD
    Juanyeh Thomas

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 3
    Score
    0-9

    (14:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 80-J.Thomas for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-C.Redding]. Penalty on IND-28-G.Toler, Defensive Holding, declined.

  3. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 14:14XP
    Brandon McManus

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-10

    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  4. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 6:50TD
    Juanyeh Thomas

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 35
    Score
    0-16

    (6:50) (No Huddle) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 80-J.Thomas for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 6:41XP
    Brandon McManus

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-17

    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  6. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 2:00TD
    Juanyeh Thomas

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 5
    Score
    0-23

    (2:00) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 80-J.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 1:57XP
    Brandon McManus

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-24

    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  8. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q2 0:28TD
    ALA. Luck

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 9
    Score
    6-24

    (:28) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck scrambles right end pushed ob at DEN 2 for 7 yards (56-N.Irving). The Replay Official challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck scrambles right end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q2 0:19XP
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    7-24

    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.

  10. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q3 1:34FG
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 7
    Score
    10-24

    (1:34) 4-A.Vinatieri 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.

  11. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 10:02TD
    MBM. Ball

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 3
    Score
    10-30

    (10:02) (Shotgun) 28-M.Ball up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 9:54XP
    Brandon McManus

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    10-31

    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

  13. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 7:57TD
    Davis Allen

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 41
    Score
    16-31

    (7:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short right to 83-D.Allen for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 7:46XP
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    17-31

    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.

  15. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 3:32TD
    HNH. Nicks

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 9
    Score
    23-31

    (3:32) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short middle to 14-H.Nicks for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  16. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 3:26XP
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    24-31

    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Paul Manning · Denver Broncos · Passing · +13.91 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
  2. 2Juanyeh ThomasJuanyeh Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +12.05 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
  3. 3A. Luck · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +9.13 total EPA · 63 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
  4. 4A. Bradshaw · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +5.97 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
  5. 5Eli Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.25 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
  6. 6H. Nicks · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.83 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
  7. 7R. Wayne · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.55 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
  8. 8Calvin AndersonCalvin Anderson · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +2.24 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Paul Manning — DEN · Passing

Paul Manning posted the highest total EPA (+13.91) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Denver Broncos. Across 40 counted snaps, they averaged +0.35 EPA per play.

Paul Manning's top snap (+3.28 EPA): (6:50) (No Huddle) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 80-J.Thomas for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (+4.52 EPA): A. Luck — (7:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short right to 83-D.Allen for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

A. Luck led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • A. Luck (Indianapolis Colts) · 63 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +1.2% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +9.13 total EPA
  • Paul Manning (Denver Broncos) · 40 dropbacks · 55.0% completion · -0.8% CPOE · +0.35 EPA/play · +13.91 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatIndianapolis ColtsDenver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play+0.023+0.087
Offensive success rate48.4%44.2%
Pass EPA/play+0.145+0.348
Rush EPA/play-0.481-0.052
Defensive EPA/play-0.087-0.023
Defensive success rate55.8%51.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs +0.02), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Indianapolis Colts: +0.02 EPA/play (59th percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: +0.09 EPA/play (73rd percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: 13 drives, +8.29 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Indianapolis Colts: 12 drives, +2.08 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Juanyeh ThomasDenver Broncos — Juanyeh Thomas (Paul Manning pass) (Q2 14:19)
  • Juanyeh ThomasDenver Broncos — Juanyeh Thomas (Paul Manning pass) (Q2 6:50)
  • Juanyeh ThomasDenver Broncos — Juanyeh Thomas (Paul Manning pass) (Q2 2:00)
  • Indianapolis Colts — A. Luck (Q2 0:28)
  • Denver Broncos — M. Ball (Q4 10:02)
  • Davis AllenIndianapolis Colts — Davis Allen (A. Luck pass) (Q4 7:57)
  • Indianapolis Colts — H. Nicks (A. Luck pass) (Q4 3:32)

Field goals

  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q1 5:17)
  • Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q3 1:34)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the IND 3 (Q1 5:17) — (5:17) 8-B.McManus 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 21–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the IND 3 (Q2 14:19); Denver Broncos added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 14:14) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the IND 35 (Q2 6:50) — (6:50) (No Huddle) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 80-J.Thomas for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 6:41) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the IND 5 (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 80-J.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 1:57) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the DEN 9 (Q2 0:28); Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 0:19) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee..

The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 3–0. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the DEN 7 (Q3 1:34) — (1:34) 4-A.Vinatieri 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee..

The fourth quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 14–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the IND 3 (Q4 10:02) — (10:02) (Shotgun) 28-M.Ball up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q4 9:54) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the DEN 41 (Q4 7:57) — (7:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short right to 83-D.Allen for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 7:46) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the DEN 9 (Q4 3:32) — (3:32) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short middle to 14-H.Nicks for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 3:26) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Indianapolis Colts (Q1 3:25) — (3:25) 12-A.Luck pass deep middle intended for 83-D.Allen INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Moore (21-A.Talib) at DEN 31. 26-R.Moore to DEN 46 for 15 yards (83-D.Allen). [WPA -11.0% · EPA -4.28]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 1:57) — (1:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass incomplete short middle to 87-R.Wayne (29-B.Roby). [WPA -9.8% · EPA -0.88]
  • Denver Broncos (Q1 2:12) — (2:12) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 80-J.Thomas pushed ob at IND 20 for 34 yards (30-L.Landry). [WPA +6.8% · EPA +3.23]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 2:37) — (2:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short right to 80-C.Fleener pushed ob at DEN 43 for 12 yards (54-B.Marshall). [WPA +6.2% · EPA +0.58]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 5:32) — (5:32) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep middle intended for 80-C.Fleener INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Moore at DEN 11. 26-R.Moore to DEN 13 for 2 yards (17-G.Whalen). [WPA -5.1% · EPA -3.60]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 7:57) — (7:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short right to 83-D.Allen for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.8% · EPA +4.52]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q1 3:25) — (3:25) 12-A.Luck pass deep middle intended for 83-D.Allen INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Moore (21-A.Talib) at DEN 31. 26-R.Moore to DEN 46 for 15 yards (83-D.Allen). [WPA -11.0% · EPA -4.28]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q3 10:22) — (10:22) 12-A.Luck up the middle to DEN 2 for -1 yards (54-B.Marshall). [WPA -3.1% · EPA -4.02]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 5:32) — (5:32) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep middle intended for 80-C.Fleener INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Moore at DEN 11. 26-R.Moore to DEN 13 for 2 yards (17-G.Whalen). [WPA -5.1% · EPA -3.60]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 5:17 · IND 3 · Score 0-3
    (5:17) 8-B.McManus 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  2. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 14:19 · IND 3 · Score 0-9
    (14:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 80-J.Thomas for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-C.Redding]. Penalty on IND-28-G.Toler, Defensive Holding, declined.
  3. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 14:14 · IND 2 · Score 0-10
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  4. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 6:50 · IND 35 · Score 0-16
    (6:50) (No Huddle) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 80-J.Thomas for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 6:41 · IND 2 · Score 0-17
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  6. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 2:00 · IND 5 · Score 0-23
    (2:00) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 80-J.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 1:57 · IND 2 · Score 0-24
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  8. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 0:28 · DEN 9 · Score 6-24
    (:28) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck scrambles right end pushed ob at DEN 2 for 7 yards (56-N.Irving). The Replay Official challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 12-A.Lu
  9. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 0:19 · DEN 2 · Score 7-24
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
  10. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q3 1:34 · DEN 7 · Score 10-24
    (1:34) 4-A.Vinatieri 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
  11. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 10:02 · IND 3 · Score 10-30
    (10:02) (Shotgun) 28-M.Ball up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 9:54 · IND 2 · Score 10-31
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
  13. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 7:57 · DEN 41 · Score 16-31
    (7:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short right to 83-D.Allen for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 7:46 · DEN 2 · Score 17-31
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
  15. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 3:32 · DEN 9 · Score 23-31
    (3:32) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short middle to 14-H.Nicks for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  16. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 3:26 · DEN 2 · Score 24-31
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Denver Broncos earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Paul Manning (Denver Broncos) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Indianapolis Colts vs Denver Broncos on 2014-09-07?

The Denver Broncos beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-24 in Week 1, 2014.

What was the score by quarter in Indianapolis Colts vs Denver Broncos?

Q1: Indianapolis Colts 0, Denver Broncos 3; Q2: Indianapolis Colts 7, Denver Broncos 21; Q3: Indianapolis Colts 3, Denver Broncos 0; Q4: Indianapolis Colts 14, Denver Broncos 7; Final: Indianapolis Colts 24, Denver Broncos 31.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Indianapolis Colts vs Denver Broncos?

Denver Broncos touchdown — J. Thomas (P. Manning pass) (Q2 14:19) Denver Broncos touchdown — J. Thomas (P. Manning pass) (Q2 6:50) Denver Broncos touchdown — J. Thomas (P. Manning pass) (Q2 2:00) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — A. Luck (Q2 0:28) Denver Broncos touchdown — M. Ball (Q4 10:02) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — D. Allen (A. Luck pass) (Q4 7:57) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — H. Nicks (A. Luck pass) (Q4 3:32) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q1 5:17, 3 pts) Indianapolis Colts field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q3 1:34, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Indianapolis Colts vs Denver Broncos?

A. Luck (Indianapolis Colts), 55.6% completion, +1.2% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +9.13 total passing EPA. Paul Manning (Denver Broncos), 55.0% completion, -0.8% CPOE, +0.35 EPA per dropback, +13.91 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Indianapolis Colts vs Denver Broncos?

Paul Manning (Denver Broncos) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +13.91 total EPA on Passing plays. across 40 snaps. Their top snap (+3.28 EPA): (6:50) (No Huddle) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 80-J.Thomas for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Indianapolis Colts vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Denver Broncos won 31-24 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Indianapolis Colts

Now 0-1 L

Denver Broncos

Now 1-0 W

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