Indianapolis Colts’ Darius Butler (20) celebrates with Greg Toler (28) after Butler made an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, in Indianapolis. The Colts won 27-24. (AP).
Cornerback Darius Butler and linebacker Sio Moore helped the Indianapolis Colts right the ship this weekend as they knocked off the previously undefeated Denver Broncos 27-24. Moore had a meager two tackles, but Butler may have saved the day in the fourth quarter. Along with two tackles and a pass deflection, Butler intercepted Peyton Manning late in the game to help seal the victory. On the ensuing drive after the Colts took a 27-24 lead on a 55-yard field goal, Denver had the ball on their own 33-yard line with 6:06 left in the game.
Their previous three drives had gone for scores. Manning was targeting standout wide receiver Demaryius Thomas but was hit as he threw and Butler made a big play. However, he was ready for it.
“He had a go-to player there with Thomas. I had an idea it might be coming,” Butler told reporters after the game. “It was sweet. It was real sweet.”
Running back Jordan Todman is back in action with star Le’Veon Bell out for the rest of the season due to an injury suffered last week. In the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-35 win over the Oakland Raiders, Todman had one carry for three yards and was targeted twice in the passing game, albeit with no receptions. With Bell gone, DeAngelo Williams slid up to the number one spot on the depth chart and had an exceptional performance yesterday while Todman was moved up to be the primary back up. He will continue to see more reps as the season moves on.
The Dallas Cowboys may have lost in overtime to the Philadelphia Eagles 33-27, but rookie defensive back Byron Jones put forth another very strong showing until the last play of the game. Coming into a game where his defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli sang his praises calling him ‘the best rookie defensive back in the league and the best one he’s ever had’ on a radio show during the week, Jones had five tackles, two pass deflections, one tackle for a loss and one quarterback hurry.
However, on Jordan Matthews’ game-winning 41-yard touchdown reception in overtime, Jones, back in coverage, fell down around the Cowboys 25-yard line allowing the crossing Matthews to get open. While other members of the Cowboys took responsibility on the play, Jones’ unfortunate timing was a major factor in the explosive touchdown that won the game for the Eagles.
Matt Barresi is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at matthew.barresi@uconn.edu.
