Colts v. Broncos: Some History

by Picky on Dec 8, 2009 10:02 AM EST

So a friend of mine is a Broncos fan as well as a Colts fan. She supports the Colts unless they are playing the Broncos, in which case she gets an excuse to get drunk because her team lost, something that doesn't happen a lot when she supports the Colts. But I digress.

I thought I remembered that we usually do well against the Broncos, and I went back into the history to find out how well we have done. I didn't bother looking at anything in Baltimore (pre-1985) because I didn't want to light off any Baltimore fans still upset about the "midnight ride" (get over it). Here's what I found out:

In the Peyton Manning Era, the Colts have played the Broncos exactly eight times. We lost two of those eight games, so even if we don't look at anything else, we beat them 75% of the time. But let's look at those two games:

1. December 21st, 2003: The Colts were 11-3 at this point, and the Titans were 10-4, but the Colts swept the Titans. Arguably, this is the only game that the Colts lost that mattered for anything (although it didn't end up mattering at all). The Broncos won 31-17, but the Colts came back two weeks later and shellacked the Broncos in the first round of the playoffs. The Colts won the rematch 41-10. Yes, that's right, the margin of victory was exactly the same as the Broncos entire score in the first game.

2. January 3rd, 2005: The Colts had locked up their playoff spot, and this was truly a meaningless game. Peyton and Edge only played one series. It was like a preseason game and we all know how much THOSE matter. Even with Captain Clipboard at the helm, the Colts still managed to only lose 33-14. Then a week later the Broncos played the Colts again, in the first round of the playoffs. One wonders if they flew home to Denver in between. The Colts played their starters that day, and once again shellacked the Broncos 49-24.

Other than those two losses, the Indianapolis Colts have beaten the Broncos at every contest during the Manning Dynasty: 2001, 2002, 2006, and 2007, as well as the two playoff wins mentioned above.

Stat of the week: The last time the Colts lost to Denver when the outcome of the game really mattered? October 3rd, 1993.

Am I worried? Nope.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Comments

I suspect the old Shanahan and new McDaniels regimes are totally different

I don’t think history matters much in this regard, except that teams playing at Mile High have a traditional strike against them because of the thin air. That has not changed. But not an issue this week for us.

I mean, really, last time Reggie Wayne abused the Broncos, Darrent Williams tried to cover him. He’s been dead for about a year now…. That’s history.

Speaking of history, in 1977 the two teams faced off at Mile High with the two best records in the NFL: 10-1. The orange crush D was just too much for us on that day. To this day, if I meet the Denver fan who arrogantly came to the game holding a sign that reaad “11-1, alone at the top” I’ll wring his neck. Okay, maybe it was a good sign, but at age 13, it really pissed me off.

FTR, I am not too worried either, though McDaniels certainly knows us, even if the new-look Broncos individuals aren’t that familiar with us.

I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.

by Bobman on Dec 8, 2009 11:23 AM EST reply actions

That was a very blunt way of talking about DWill, in my opinion.

Many broncos fans still hurt over the loss of DWill. For the record, he was shot and killed on new years day of 2007. So, it hasn’t been “about a year now”.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
Girl, you don't need to be a 10, as long as you have a good smile and smell like bacon.

by Troy Hufford on Dec 8, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

DWill may be gone, but not forgotten. It is not history, but a loss we should all feel..

I presume your comment was so focused on the football aspect you simply overlooked the human, so I am not taking offense.

by idahobronc on Dec 8, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

I apologize on their behalf. I don't think it was meant to be as insenistive as it came out.

I think the point remains that you guys are a different team than who we played last time – especially in the secondary. It’ll be a good game.

by diagenesis on Dec 8, 2009 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

Apology appreciated, but no offense taken.

Still a sensitive spot. You are right, it should be a good game. I seem to be in the minority over at our site that we may not unmask any surprises now that the Ravens and Steelers seem to have given us an inside track on the playoffs…we might meet again. My view is that the Colts are still the stronger team, and if you have something up your sleeve, you hold that card to play for the biggest pot. I think we play hard but with our base scheme and few ’tricks".

by idahobronc on Dec 8, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

Old Denver vs. New Denver

The difference, I think, is going to be if we can get a double-digit lead on the Broncos. If that happens, I just dont see any way they can catch up to us. Orton and that team are simply not built for coming from behind, particularly with the kind of pressure we can bring.

That being said, Ty Law always seems to goad Manning into a bizarre interception or two, so I’m slightly worried about that.

by clownsaw on Dec 8, 2009 12:17 PM EST reply actions

The broncos came back from double digit leads for the Patriots and Dallas games.

I think we were down by double digits to SD in the first meeting, too, but I’m not sure off the top of my head. If you get up by three scores, though, at any point in the game, then you’re right. It’s game over probably. The broncos aren’t built to overcome drastic deficits, but they have shown that they, at least, have the ability to overcome 10 or 14 point deficits in the second half of games.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
Girl, you don't need to be a 10, as long as you have a good smile and smell like bacon.

by Troy Hufford on Dec 8, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

I've not watched the Broncos since their 6-0 start - although I did catch some of the NFLN game.

What I saw then was that they were a second half team. The Colts are also, imo, a second half time. We make adjustments on D in the 2nd half, something they do as well.

The chess match is going to be interesting if the score is close going into half time. I look forward to it. The mental aspect of Colts games are the best thing in football, Denver in those first six games was the second best thing.

by diagenesis on Dec 8, 2009 2:16 PM EST reply actions

History is always interesting, but not necessarily prophetic.

Although the trend you have cited is obviously very strong, I would have to say it has less to do with predicting this weeks game as it does with our (Denver’s) wholesale changes. Although last year’s late season collapse is often cited as the proximate cause of Shanny’s demise, I would put forth the premise that his failure against Indy was just as strong of a factor, if not stronger—— for us, the SB had to go through the Colts. While I think that McDaniels/Xanders need another year or to to marshal up the talent needed to dethrone your team, his remarkable rebuild this year warms my heart. Consider that at the start of this season, 31 players out of 53 were new to the team, and yet the player evaluation was good enough (despite distractions) that they(Xanxders/Mcd) accomplished the player-turnover-to match-new-scheme scenario in a single off-season. Sooooo, THANK YOU for trouncing us so thoroughly for so long. It got us off the treadmill of mediocrity of had become Shannys trademark his last several seasons. Here is to a developing rivalry; you can’t have a good rivalry without evenly matched teams playing for somethng that matters. Soon, my friends, soon.

by idahobronc on Dec 8, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions

We'll be waiting.

Best of luck to you guys. Tell Stokley that we all still love him.

"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

by Cassieper on Dec 8, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

I think he returns the love.

He rides for the brand, so to speak, and contributes nicely for us…..but I get the sensation he still loved playing with Manning.

by idahobronc on Dec 8, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

I still love Stokley as well, and I miss him.

It’s hard to see him in a Broncos jersey.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.

by Indy Lori on Dec 8, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

The Broncos

won the game against the Pats because the Pats had no defense to speak of and let Kyle Orton become Tom Brady for a day…

The Colts are a very big difference on both defense and offense….and the Broncos will have issues. They have one of the better secondaries in football, but the Broncos will still be outmatched against Clark and Garcon..

by DevilsReject on Dec 8, 2009 3:49 PM EST reply actions

+100

There’s no way Kyle Orton is going to beat Peyton again. Not this time.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.

by Indy Lori on Dec 8, 2009 5:27 PM EST up reply actions