3 Surprises From Colts' Hard-Fought Victory vs. Falcons

These three surprises flew under the radar in the Indianapolis Colts' win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Nov 9, 2025; Berlin, Germany; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1), wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (13) and wide receiver Alec Pierce (14)] celebrate after overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

It wasn't always pretty, but the Indianapolis Colts found a way to win against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL's debut game in Berlin, Germany.

The Colts came up big in overtime, stalling the Falcons' first drive before going downfield 57 yards to punch in a game-winning touchdown. Jonathan Taylor had arguably the best game of his career, and the Colts moved to 8-2 before the bye.

Although a 31-point performance comes as no surprise for this Colts offense, there were a few moments where fans may have been caught off guard by a few players. Let's take a look at the three biggest shocks from Sunday morning's win.

1. Special Teams Returners Stepped Up

Indianapolis Colts running back Ameer Abdullah (26) goes down with the ball during a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Cardinals 31-27. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With Anthony Gould sidelined once again due to a knee injury, the Colts gave kick return duties to Ashton Dulin and Ameer Abdullah and punt return duties to Josh Downs.

Dulin and Abdullah each had a kick return that placed the Colts near midfield in the second half, taking tons of pressure off the offense's shoulders. Abdullah had another one that went for 40-plus yards, but it was brought back due to a holding penalty.

Ameer Abdullah with a GREAT return to get the offense set up for what would be a game winning drive. #Colts#ForTheShoe#Falcons#ATLvsIND pic.twitter.com/YUIQQXMRUa

— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) November 9, 2025

The two kick returners ended the day with four returns for 139 yards, averaging 34.8 yards per return.

Downs had a shifty punt return in the fourth quarter, where he gained 24 yards to put the Colts on the Falcons' 47-yard line. Despite fumbling a punt against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Downs had the trust of the coaches to make a big play in the fourth against Atlanta.

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2. Michael Badgley's Kicking Rollercoaster

Nov 9, 2025; Berlin, Germany; Indianapolis Colts place kicker Michael Badgley (12) attempts a field goal against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

After the Colts opened the scoring with a Taylor touchdown from the one-yard line, Michael Badgley missed the following extra point. It was Badgley's second missed extra point of the season after he was signed to fill in for the injured Spencer Shrader.

Badgley drilled his next extra point, but then he missed a 53-yard field goal by leaving it short. With the NFL's new kicking ball rules, it's been rare to see a kick missed short from that range. While it was a fairly chilly day, Badgley had just knocked in two from 50-plus against the Steelers in an outdoor environment the week before.

Nevertheless, Badgley responded by knocking in a 34-yarder to make it a one-score game early in the fourth quarter before his highest-pressure kick: a 44-yarder to tie the game with one minute left.

Michael Badgley : 2/3 FG's & 1/2 on extra points (Game-tying 44-yard FG with 25 seconds left in regulation to help force OT) pic.twitter.com/ysbrCxC2W9

— Lee Harvey (@Sayian_Warrior) November 9, 2025

Badgley stepped up and put it right down the middle, sending the game to overtime and giving the Colts a chance to win the game.

3. Zaire Franklin's Overtime Performance

Nov 9, 2025; Berlin, Germany; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) reacts against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Zaire Franklin turned up the energy levels in overtime. The veteran linebacker perfectly timed the Falcons' snap after they got a first down through penalties, bulldozing Ryan Neuzil en route to a tackle for loss on Tyler Allgeier.

Two plays later, Franklin was sent in a blitz package, and he made a home run play by bringing down Michael Penix Jr. for a 12-yard loss. The Falcons were forced to punt, which set up the Colts' offense for a simple goal: put points on the board and win.

Zaire Franklin was flying around looking for splash plays in run defense on Sunday. Got burned a few times, including a missed tackle on an outside run, but key was creating negative splash plays on first down with how good Indy's pass defense was playing pic.twitter.com/K9HoQkQRZt

— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) November 10, 2025

The offense carried Franklin's momentum to the other side of the ball and got the job done. The captain energized his squad to victory after leading the team in tackles and recording his second sack of the season.