Leverage penalty explained: How a rare NFL rule became the deciding factor in Broncos vs Colts clash

The Denver Broncos vs the Indianapolis Colts clash turned dramatic in the final seconds, ending in a 29-28 Colts victory. Kicker Spencer Schrader drilled a 45-yard field goal as time expired, but only after a leverage penalty gave Indianapolis a second chance.

Denver thought it had sealed the win when Schrader missed a 60-yarder, yet the yellow flag changed everything.

Why a leverage penalty was called in Broncos vs Colts

A leverage penalty in the NFL occurs when a defender uses a teammate or opponent’s body to gain extra height while attempting to block a kick. The league considers it unsafe and unfair, and the penalty carries 15 yards along with an automatic first down if committed during a field goal try.

On Sunday, officials ruled that Broncos linebacker Deondrea Tillman made illegal contact with Colts long snapper Luke Rhodes during Schrader’s 60-yard attempt.

The flag wiped away Denver’s celebration and set up the game-winning 45-yard retry.“I gotta go back and watch the film and see what I can learn from it,” Tillman admitted postgame. “I was just playing free and trying to go for the ball.”The penalty stunned the Broncos, who moments earlier had been poised to start 2-0. Instead, they walked off in disbelief while the Colts improved to 2-0 under Daniel Jones.

How the penalty flipped the game’s outcome

Before the dramatic finish, Colts coach Shane Steichen’s late-game clock management was already under scrutiny.

With Jonathan Taylor losing two yards on a critical run, Indianapolis faced a daunting 60-yard field goal attempt. Schrader’s miss seemed to seal Denver’s win until the leverage call gave the Colts new life.Shrader redeemed himself by splitting the uprights from 45 yards, handing Indianapolis a stunning win. Broncos head coach Sean Payton reflected on the collapse: “We had a number of opportunities to not be in that position late.

Unfortunately, we shot ourselves in the foot too many times.”The ruling has sparked debate among fans and analysts about whether the officials made the right call in such a decisive moment. Some argue it was technically correct by the rulebook, while others believe it was too light a call to swing the outcome of a tightly contested game.For now, the Colts march on unbeaten, while the Broncos are left replaying a painful lesson in how one penalty can change everything.Also Read: Shedeur Sanders avoids straight answer on Ravens draft rumors following Browns’ embarrassing loss to division rivals