The Denver Broncos (8-5) rallied back from a 21-0 deficit, but their rally fell short despite a record breaking day by receiver Brandon Marshall and they lost the Indianapolis Colts (13-0) on Sunday.  Marshall caught 21 passes, breaking the single game receptions mark set by Terrell Owens in the 2000 season.  Those 21 catches amounted for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns, as Marshall was quarterback Kyle Orton’s obvious favorite target.  Orton completed 29/41 passes for 277 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.  That means 73% of Orton’s completions went to Marshall, which is good and bad.  You would like to see Orton spread it around a little more, but if Marshall is that effective you have to keep giving him the ball.  Knowshon Moreno gave them 63 rushing yards on 23 carries, while Correll Buckhalter chipped in an efficient 19 yards on 4 carries.  The Colts early lead deemed too much for the Broncos to come back from.

The Broncos defense came out a little flat and Peyton Manning and the Colts’ offense took advantage.  Manning and the Colts’ found the endzone on three of their first four possessions, giving them a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter.  The Broncos defense woke up after that though and made some great plays in the secondary while also be the beneficiary of some lucky bounces.  After Manning had the three early touchdowns, the Broncos picked him off three times.  They held Manning to a season-low 220 yards on 20/42 passes.  They could not stop him when they needed to most though, as Manning found Dallas Clark in the endzone with only 2:25 left to give the Colts a 28-16 lead, where it would stay.