On Thursday, October 6, one of the most painful games of the modern NFL era aired on Amazon Prime. A matchup between the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts was a game of sacks, interceptions, offensive miscues, and, most importantly, field goals. You might be wondering: “What word is missing from this list?” The answer is: touchdowns. Somehow the final score was 12-9, a game consisting of seven made field goals, one blocked field goal and a panoply of incomplete passes and interceptions in the red zone and end zone.
Most viewers who tuned into this game were nearly in tears. Their fantasy players are underperforming, they’re bored waiting for good football to be played and actual completions to be thrown. These are supposed to be the best of the best, two veteran quarterbacks—Matt Ryan and Russell Wilson—who have both led former teams to a combined three Super Bowl appearances and one championship. Wilson threw two interceptions, including one in the end zone. It was shocking. It was hard to watch.
A game with no touchdowns is not incredibly rare but also not common. This was not merely two offenses overwhelmed by incredible or electric defenses. This was simply poor football, underthrown and overthrown passes to open receivers that should have resulted in first downs and touchdowns. Misjudgements and blunders abounded on both sides.
The first quarter ended with the Broncos up a staggering three points after Brandan McManus’s first field goal. They extended this lead to 6-0 in the second quarter only for the Colts to pull within striking distance when Chase McLaughlin made his first field goal. After the third quarter, one might consider it a “nail-biter” as the Colts equalized at six points apiece but were answered back quickly Broncos drew ahead 9-6 with yet another field goal. The Colts then evened the game at 9-9 in the fourth quarter, eventually pulling out the win in overtime (with a field goal).
I hope and pray no football fan ever has to suffer through a game as confusing and pitiful as the “primetime” game we were subjected to on the night of October 6.