Indianapolis (6-7) is set to face off against Denver (8-5) this upcoming Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST, with coverage on CBS. The latest odds from BetMGM list the Broncos as 3.5-point favorites. In terms of performance against the spread, the Colts have an 8-5 record, while the Broncos sit at 10-3. Historically, Denver holds the upper hand in their matchup, leading the series 14-12. Their last encounter took place on October 6, 2022, where Indianapolis triumphed 12-9 in an overtime battle on Denver’s turf. Both teams are coming off a bye week; the Colts edged past New England with a 25-24 victory, while the Broncos secured a win against Cleveland, finishing 41-32.
Looking at each team’s stats, the Colts rank 23rd overall on offense, showing strengths in the rushing game (14th) but lagging in passing (26th) and scoring (22nd). Defensively, they are positioned 29th overall, struggling in both rushing (31st) and passing (26th) categories, while allowing 18 points per game (18th in scoring). On the flip side, the Broncos’ offense ranks 21st overall, with a similar performance in rushing (20th) and passing (21st), yet finds themselves slightly better in scoring (14th). Denver’s defense is a different story, ranked 8th overall, excelling in rushing (6th) and placing second in scoring, while ranking 19th in passing.
For the Colts, a key player to monitor is quarterback Anthony Richardson. The young signal-caller has made notable strides by leading two fourth-quarter comebacks in the three games since his return from the bench. His ability to run the ball has improved, and his decision-making while throwing has quickened. However, they only managed six points against Detroit, making this matchup particularly daunting against Denver’s elite defense.
As for the Broncos, linebacker Nik Bonitto stands out as a critical player. With a career-high eleven sacks so far this season, Bonitto is just one sack behind Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson for the lead among defensive players. He is known for his exceptional speed off the line, clocking in a remarkable average of 0.75 seconds on the snap. In addition, Bonitto’s performance includes returning an interception against the Browns for a 71-yard touchdown.
One pivotal matchup in this game will be the Colts’ offensive line against the Broncos’ defensive front. Denver boasts one of the league’s premier defenses, and Indianapolis has struggled, starting three backup linemen over the last few weeks. Despite Richardson’s running ability potentially alleviating some pressure from the Broncos’ rush, Colts head coach Shane Steichen is uncertain about the return of Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly from the injured reserve. The status of Tanor Bortolini, who is recovering from a concussion, is also in question, along with veteran Danny Pinter starting for the second consecutive week.
Injury concerns are prevalent on both rosters. Ryan Kelly is listed as designated for return, but his participation this week remains uncertain after sitting out for four games due to a knee issue. Meanwhile, Bortolini has cleared concussion protocols but right tackle Braden Smith has been ruled out due to personal reasons. The health of Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is also a concern as he missed the game against New England due to a shoulder injury. For the Broncos, cornerback Riley Moss is dealing with a knee injury that sidelined him for the contest against Cleveland.
Historical notes indicate that the Colts have a recent edge in this rivalry, winning the last two meetings and four out of the last six. In their previous match, the Colts were victorious in a tight contest at Denver. Historically, Indianapolis has struggled on the road in this series, losing five consecutive games earlier but has managed to secure four wins in recent trips to Denver. Notably, Peyton Manning is a legendary figure for both franchises, having led each to their most recent Super Bowl victories.
As the playoff picture sharpens, both teams find themselves near the postseason cut line, currently ranked seventh and eighth in the AFC. The Colts have bounced back from a four-game losing streak with two victories in their last three outings, further improving their road performance with wins against the Jets and Patriots. Richardson’s starting record is 7-6, but he has one of the lowest completion percentages among starters, contributing to nine interceptions against seven touchdowns. Additionally, star running back Jonathan Taylor is on the verge of breaking franchise records, needing just 102 yards to pass Lydell Mitchell in rushing yards and another touchdown to surpass Tom Matte’s total.
On the Broncos’ side, quarterback Bo Nix leads all rookies in several categories, including passing yards and touchdowns. Coach Sean Payton’s successful career continues to progress, notably reaching 168 regular-season wins. Cornerback Pat Surtain II has demonstrated his defensive prowess, yielding the least amount of receiving yards in the league. Kicker Wil Lutz made headlines last week by becoming the fifth-fastest player to reach 1,000 career points, achieving this milestone in just 127 games.
For fantasy enthusiasts, keep an eye on Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who ranks third in the AFC since Week 8 in receiving yards and receptions, indicating his rising stock in fantasy leagues.