DENVER -- The Indianapolis Colts got on the board early in their biggest game of the season.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson scored on a 23-yard touchdown run on the Colts' opening drive, finding the right edge against the Denver Broncos' defense and sprinting untouched into the end zone to give the Colts a 7-0 lead with 10:52 remaining in the first quarter.
The play was made possible by the Broncos' defense being sucked in by a fake handoff to Jonathan Taylor and a physical block by wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on Denver cornerback Pat Surtain II on the edge.
After reaching the end zone, Richardson stared down the Broncos' fans seated in the corner of the end zone while celebrating his score.
Anthony Richardson scampers 23 yards for the TD!
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
📺: #INDvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/U7HlBdJPzJ
A pivotal moment in the game came with 12:43 remaining in the third quarter, when Taylor broke loose for an apparent 41-yard touchdown run in which he pulled away from the Denver defense.
But upon further review, it was determined that Taylor released the ball just before crossing the goal line, with the ball falling out of bounds in the end zone. Officials reversed the call and awarded the ball to the Broncos on a touchback.
Call overturned! This TD was ruled a touchback 😳 pic.twitter.com/jRlTeq9QQs
— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
A touchdown would have given the Colts a 20-7 lead. Without it, they remained up 13-7 on the Broncos in a crucial game for the playoff hopes of both teams