Colts stun Broncos on game-winning field goal after leverage penalty

The Indianapolis Colts stunned the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, winning 29-28 on a 45-yard field goal by Spencer Shrader on an untimed down after an initial 60-yard attempt was ruled no good. The second chance came when officials flagged the Broncos for a rare 15-yard leverage penalty on the game’s final play, moving the kick closer and setting up Shrader’s game-winning boot.

The play unfolded as the clock hit zero with the Colts trailing 28-26 and Shrader’s 60-yard attempt sailing wide right. Players and fans began celebrating what appeared to be a Broncos victory until referees conferred and announced the personal foul for leverage, assessed against linebacker Dondrea Tillman. Referee Craig Wrolstad said the call was correct, explaining that Tillman put his hand on an opponent and pushed off to elevate himself in an attempt to block the kick. Replays showed a last-second alignment change on the Broncos front that coaches later said contributed to the infraction.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton acknowledged the call but placed the broader responsibility on his decision-making. Payton said the team had a specific field-goal block in place for a game-ending...