The Colts began the season on the road against the defending AFC champion Denver Broncos. The Colts began the game on offense, driving down to the Broncos' 36 yard line. However, following a delay of game penalty, they were forced to punt. Peyton Manning led the Broncos' offense on a 16 play drive, but would settle only for a field goal, giving Denver a 3-0 lead. An Andrew Luck interception on the Colts' ensuing offensive possession set the Broncos up at midfield and would lead to a touchdown on a pass from Manning to Julius Thomas to give the Broncos a 10-0 lead. After a three and out from the Colts' offense, Manning and the Broncos again take advantage and drive 83-yard to score on another Thomas touchdown reception. Late in the second quarter, the Broncos again scored on a touchdown pass from Manning to Thomas and extended Denver's lead to 24-0 with two minutes remaining in the half. The Colts put together an 8 play, 80-yard drive to end the half and scored their first points on a 9-yard run from Luck, making the score 24-7 in favor of Denver at halftime. The Broncos' began the second half on offense, though they were eventually forced to punt. After driving into the red zone on their first offensive possession of the half, the Colts' failed to convert a fourth down on the goal line and turned the ball over on downs. The Colts' next offensive possession would again stall in the red zone, with the Colts settling for an Adam Vinatieri field goal, cutting the Bronco lead to 24-10. A 48-yard drive early in the fourth quarter gave the Broncos as 31-10 lead after a Montee Ball touchdown run. The Colts would respond on their next drive with a touchdown pass from Luck to Dwayne Allen, cutting the Broncos' lead down to two scores. The Colts failed to take advantage of a recovered onside kick, after Luck threw an interception in Broncos' territory. After the Colts defense forced a three and out, Luck again drove the Colts down to the goal line, eventually scoring on a touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks. After again stopping the Broncos' offense, the Colts received the ball with a little under three minutes remaining in the game and a change to tie the game. Though the Colts would drive into Bronco territory, the drive would end after a failed fourth down pass attempt from Luck to Reggie Wayne. With the loss, the Colts began the season with an 0-1 record.
Question: How many points was Denver ahead by at halftime?
Answer: 17