Three takeaways from Broncos' win over Colts

Ron Clements

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Three takeaways from Broncos' win over Colts image

With one throw in the third quarter, Brock Osweiler reminded everyone why the Texans were willing to spend $72 million on him last year.

Osweiler's 54-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeff Heuerman helped lift the Broncos to a 25-13 win over the Colts Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The touchdown pass was perhaps Osweiler's best throw of the season as he hit Heuerman in stride over the middle. 

Thursday's game didn't mean much as both the Broncos (5-9) and Colts (3-11) have been eliminated from playoff contention. But as the teams prepare for the future, Osweiler made his case to be in the mix for the Broncos quarterback job next season. 

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Osweiler was a second-round pick of Denver in 2012 and started seven games in 2015 to help the Broncos win Super Bowl 50. He then left to sign a four-year, $72 million contract with the Texans but was traded to the Browns after one disappointing season. When the Browns released him in September, the Broncos brought him back. He's appeared in five games with three starts this year and has 895 passing yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions. 

"It's been a roller-coaster of a ride, but I love this organization," Osweiler told NBC Sports. "Coming out to be able to get a win on Thursday night, I was like a little kid just having fun."

Three takeaways from the Broncos' win over the Colts

1. Broncos can bounce back next year — The Broncos have most of the pieces in place for a championship-caliber team. They run the ball well as C.J. Anderson ran for 158 yards on 30 carries against the Colts. Denver's top-ranked defense held the Colts to 228 yards of offense Thursday. About the only thing the Broncos are lacking is consistent quarterback play. 

The Broncos have top-flight receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders and just need a quarterback to deliver the ball on time and on target. Is that quarterback currently on the roster? Probably not. But if they get a quarterback who can play with efficiency — whether via the draft or free agency — the Broncos can quickly return as a championship contender in the AFC. 

2. Brock Osweiler is currently Denver's best option at quarterback — Even before Trevor Siemian left with a shoulder injury, many questioned why he got the start over Osweiler. The Colts scored their first touchdown after Colts defensive back Kenny Moore recorded his first career interception when Siemian threw an ill-advised pass into double coverage. 

Siemian was 5 of 9 for 67 yards before injuring his left shoulder on a sack from Barkevious Mingo. Osweiler came in and went 12 of 17 for 194 yards and two touchdowns for a passer rating of 147.7. He also scrambled for an 18-yard touchdown, diving into the end zone to get the Broncos on the board in the second quarter.

While the Broncos probably don't have their quarterback of the future on the roster, Osweiler at least gives them the best chance to win over the final weeks of the 2017 season. 

3. Frank Gore's twilight seasons are being wasted — Gore ran for 31 yards on 10 carries and had three receptions for 37 yards before exiting with a knee injury. He went over 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the 12th straight year to join Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith as the only players in NFL history to accomplish such a feat.

Gore, who is fifth all-time in rushing yards, will eventually join Smith in Canton. He left the 49ers in 2015 after 10 seasons to join the Colts, where he thought he'd have a shot to win a championship playing with quarterback Andrew Luck. But Luck has battled injuries since 2015 and hasn't played at all this season and the final seasons of Gore's career are being wasted in Indianapolis. 

The Colts also lost several other players with injuries. Reserve tight end Brandon Williams was carted off with a head injury. Offensive tackle Denzelle Good (knee), linebackers Jeremiah George (neck) and Jon Bostic (knee) also left Thursday's game. 

Ron Clements