December 22, 2003

BRONCOS DEFEAT COLTS, CLINCH WILD-CARD BERTH

The Denver Broncos entered the RCA Dome in Indianapolis Sunday night knowing that they needed a win to keep alive their playoff chances and that they would be without their star RB CLINTON PORTIS.  Denver left with a 31-17 victory, having clinched a wild-card playoff berth.

Behind the play of QB JAKE PLUMMER, the Broncos controlled the time of possession, running 71 plays compared with the Colts’ 37.  Plummer threw for 238 yards and one touchdown and ran for two more. 

RB MIKE ANDERSON, one of two Broncos backs filling in for the injured Portis, got Denver on the board first, scoring on a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.  Anderson finished with 19 carries for 56 yards.  Rookie RB QUENTIN GRIFFIN carried 28 times for 136 yards.

On a night when Colts QB PEYTON MANNING became the first NFL quarterback to pass for 4,000 yards in five straight seasons and Colts WR MARVIN HARRISON became the league’s 21st player to surpass 10,000 career receiving yards, Indianapolis was unable to clinch the AFC South title.

At 11-4, Indianapolis can earn a division title with a win next Sunday at Houston.  The 10-5 Broncos finish up in Green Bay in Week 17.