DENVER— The Denver Broncos’ Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts was dramatically shaped by a rarely called penalty known as leverage, enforced after a critical play involving Broncos defender Dondrea Tillman.
Trailing by three points with seconds left on the clock in a tight game, the Colts were setting up for a 60-yard field goal attempt. At that moment, Tillman appeared to push down on the back of a Colts player on the field goal unit, propelling himself upward in an effort to block the kick. This physical maneuver prompted the officials to throw a flag for leverage, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty resulting in a 15-yard advancement for the Colts.
The penalty granted the Colts a closer 45-yard attempt, which kicker Spencer Shrader successfully made on the second try, breaking the initial tie and securing a narrow victory for Indianapolis.
According to referees and the NFL rulebook, the leverage call is specifically designed to prohibit defenders from using teammates or opponents as a springboard to gain unfair elevation. It is a rare infraction aimed at maintaining safe and fair special teams play.
Broncos head coach and players expressed frustration after the game, citing the rare nature of the penalty and the costly timing. The Colts, meanwhile, capitalized on what they saw as a tenacious effort by Tillman but acknowledged the enforceability of the rule in the context of player safety and game fairness.
The game itself featured strategic play-calling from Colts coach Shane Steichen, who had called a near-perfect game aimed at wearing down Denver’s defense before trusting his kicker on a long field goal attempt. The initial missed 60-yard field goal coupled with two timeouts by the Colts allowed for the final, penalty-extended scoring opportunity.
Ultimately, this rare call and its impact highlight the critical role of officiating decisions in close NFL contests and the fine line between aggressive playmaking and rule violations.
Fans and analysts are already debating the interpretation and consistency of the leverage rule, with the Broncos’ loss underscoring its significant influence when enforced at key moments in games.
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