The Indianapolis Colts received the opening kickoff against Denver and put together a 10-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a 23-yard touchdown run by Anthony Richardson.
The drive was held together by two third-and-long conversions by the Indianapolis offense.
Facing a 3rd-and-10 from their own 30-yard line on the third play of the game, Richardson connected with Josh Downs for a 22-yard gain.
A handful of plays later, with the Colts on the cusp of field goal range, they then faced a 3rd-and-10 once again. This time lined up in shotgun, Richardson handed it off to Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 15 yards to keep the drive going.
Two plays later, from just outside of the red zone, Richardson faked the handoff inside to Taylor, kept it himself and with a lead blocker, ran it in from 23 yards out.
No bye week rust on these wheels. 🏎️#ProBowlVote x @GVOaant
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/iWBoMnxDsm
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 15, 2024
It was a great opening drive for the Colts against what has been a very stingy Denver Broncos defense that has allowed only 18.0 points per game this season.