Sunday’s bout between Denver and Indianapolis had more than an undefeated record on the line.

Two of the sport’s highest individual accomplishments were on the brink of being broken by Peyton Manning. Both records are owned by the legendary Brett Favre. All Peyton needed to do was win the game and throw for 284 yards to dethrone the Packer great. Ironically the team in jeopardy of being responsible for historical benchmarks was Manning’s former team. It was a fairy tale setting, almost too coincidental that “The Sheriff” was going to make history at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts had other plans.

Indianapolis entered the game as the five-point underdog, but the Colts sure didn’t look like it. They came out swinging from the start, scoring on their second drive of the contest. The touchdown was the product of hard-nose running by Frank Gore and a plethora of penalties perpetrated by the Denver D.

Indianapolis made it clear on that drive that they weren’t bowing down to the NFL’s best defense.

Denver was forced to punt and on the Colts ensuing drive, Danny Trevathan committed a personal foul that set Indianapolis up for an Adam Vinateiri field goal. Following the field goal, Denver took the field hoping to get something going after being forced to punt the previous three possessions. Peyton threw an interception on the fourth play of the drive that gave Indy great field position. Andrew Luck methodically drove his team down the short field for another Colts touchdown. Denver was down 17-0, and it was still only the first half.

The Broncos seemed to be somewhere else because the Colts made them look like a high school squad on both sides of the ball. Denver punted on five of six drives and turned it over the one time they didn’t punt. Denver’s defense went into the game allowing just 243 yards per game. Indianapolis racked up 176 yards of offense in the first half alone.

Denver wasn’t Denver. It wasn’t until the final play of the first half when Omar Bolden’s 83-yard punt return for touchdown rejuvenated the Broncos spirits going into the locker room.

Despite having to carry on without DeMarcus Ware, who suffered a back injury in the first half, Denver kept that fire burning as the Broncos headed into the second half. Peyton feathered a beautiful lob to Emmanuel Sanders in-stride for a 64 yard touchdown pass. Peyton was determined to make history in the house he built. On his next drive, Peyton marched 79 yards down the field for a game-tying field goal.

Andrew Luck answered with a 12-play, 80-yard drive that munched up 5 minutes and 52 seconds and regained his team the lead. It became a shootout when Peyton orchestrated a 5 minutes and 11 seconds, 9-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to once again even the score at 24.

Luck took the reins and again put his team in position to win the ball game. He set up Adam Vinateiri for a 55-yard field goal attempt that sailed through the uprights. When Peyton took the field, he had 281 yards through the air, three yards shy of history. With six minutes and six seconds to go, it was bound to be the dual-record breaking drive for number 18. Eager to make history, Peyton dropped back to pass on the first play of the drive and threw his second INT of the game.

Indy got the ball back with six minutes left and 49 yards between them and another touchdown. Although the Colts weren’t thinking six, they wanted to eat up the clock and prevent Peyton from getting another opportunity to make history in their stadium.

Denver’s frustration showed on the final possession of the game; Aqib Talib’s display of poor sportsmanship after a play and a defensive hold by Danny Trevathan extended the Colt’s drive and prevented Denver from getting the ball back following a nullified field goal.

Silly errors cost Denver the game. The Broncos played like the Oakland Raiders on Sunday with the poor display of discipline. Peyton went home empty handed and has to wait another week to make history.

Poor Peyton. He was given a chance to make historical marks in the record books in the most fairy tale way possible, but that’s why fairy tales don’t exist.

Denver (7-1) now must prepare for Kansas City at home and will do so without Talib, who was suspended one game for his stupid error.

Don’t panic Orange Nation. It’s better to get the loss under their belt now rather than in the post-season. Denver has officially faced adversity and it will only make the Broncos stronger as the season endures.