Colts Beat Broncos 27-13, Career Day For Austin Collie

Denver, CO (Sports Network) – Peyton Manning passed for 325 yards and three touchdowns as the Colts’ high-powered offense proved too much for Denver in a 27-13 final at INVESCO Field.

Austin Collie was the main beneficiary of Manning’s 58th career 300-yard passing game, setting career highs across the board with 12 catches, 171 yards and two touchdowns.

With Pierre Garcon out with a hamstring injury, Blair White stepped in and caught a touchdown pass in his first NFL game. Reggie Wayne added 65 yards on four catches and Dallas Clark reeled in five passes for 44 yards.

Manning hit on 27-of-43 pass attempts while the running game totaled just 40 yards for Indianapolis (2-1), which was coming off an impressive 38-14 victory over the Giants last Sunday night.

Denver also abandoned the run, as Kyle Orton racked up a career-best 476 passing yards on 37-of-57 attempts but had only one touchdown to pair with an interception.

Brandon Lloyd had a career-high 169 yards and a score on six grabs, while Jabar Gaffney totaled 12 receptions and 140 yards for Denver (1-2), which was flying high after a 31-14 win over Seattle last Sunday only to be dealt a harsh dose of reality a day later with the death of wide receiver Kenny McKinley.

An autopsy on Tuesday confirmed it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The Broncos honored McKinley prior to the game with a moment of silence, and a decal of his number 11 will adorn the Broncos’ helmets for the remainder of the year.

Colts have taken advantage of two Broncos turnovers, including a Kyle Orton interception, by converting those turnovers into 10 points. The Colts defense also seems to be holding their ground, stopping the Broncos on fourth down inside the one-yard line. Despite two trips into Indy’s redzone, Denver has come away with only three point.

Colts lead Broncos 13-3 at the half.

Colts Inactives, via Phil Wilson of Indy Star:

WR Anthony Gonzalez
S Bob Sanders
LB Clint Session
OL Jacques McClendon
OL C. Johnson
CB Brandon King
WR Pierre Garcon
DT Ricardo Mathews

Broncos Inactives:
RB Knowshon Moreno
OT Ryan Harris
CB Andre Goodman
OL Chris Clark
WR Eric Decker
OL Eric Olsen
TE Richard Quinn
QB Tim Tebow (3rd)

Stampede Blue provides an update to the injury list for the Colts heading into their Week Three match-up with the Broncos:

At a time when many of us are taking shots at Anthony Gonzalez’s inability to stay healthy, the man who took Gonzo’s starting job from him is having injury problems of his own. According to ESPN’s Paul Kuharsky (via Twitter), Colts wide receiver Pierre Garçon has been ruled out for tomorrow’s game against the Broncos.

Going into the game, the Colts only had three health wide receivers. With Garçon now out, Indianapolis only had Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie available. While Dallas Clark and Jacob Tamme have wide receiving skills at the tight end position, they do not have the skills to consistently play on the outside should something happen to Wayne or Collie during a game.

To help with the situation, the Colts signed pre-season phenom Blair White off the practice squad.

 

Also listed as ‘OUT’ are starting linebacker Clint Session and special teams player Brandon King.

Colts face the Broncos at 4:25pm Eastern at Invesco Field at Mile High.

Stampede Blue has all your previews for the Colts-Broncos matchup:

From Stampede Blue:

2010 Colts Game Preview: Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

Colts Rule Pierre Garcon Out For Broncos Game, Sign Blair White From Practice Squad

No Knowshon Moreno For Broncos As They Host Colts

From Mile High Report:

Situational Football — Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts

NFL Week 3 – Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos Friday Injury Report

Upon Further Review – Denver Broncos vs.Indianapolis Colts – 2010 NFL Week Three

Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno has been ruled out for their game against the Colts.

From Stampede Blue:

This Sunday, Moreno will not have an opportunity to climb his way out of his early season slump (averaging 2.8 yards a carry in two games). He’s been ruled out for the game. Instead, he’ll likely be replaced by (you guessed it) Laurence Maroney.

Also out for this game is Broncos right tackle Ryan Harris.

Stampede Blue as an excellent preview posted, breaking down the matchup between the Indianapolis Colts (1-1) and the Denver Broncos (1-1). Here's a piece of the article:

In my opinion, there is only one team that Manning owns more so than the Broncos, and that's the Ravens. He always find success, whether it be at home or in Denver, save one game (which I unfortunately was at in 2003). The Broncos could be playing a Nickel CB on Reggie Wayne because of injuries, which just isn't fair. Look for the Colts to put up 30+ points again this week, and the defense to just pin their ears back and keep the passes in front of them. I expect Orton to actually play well, as his style usually leads to success against the Tampa 2. He must stay mistake free for the Broncos to have a chance.

Check out the rest of the game preview, and more, at Stampede Blue. The Colts will face the Broncos at 4:15 p.m. Eastern on Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High.