Colts vs. Broncos: Updated Odds, Latest Player Comments and Predictions
The Indianapolis Colts hadn’t even completed their Wild Card Round win over the Cincinnati Bengals when NFL fans and commentators began talking about the impending showdown with the Denver Broncos.
After all, it’s not every day that a living legend who is arguably the greatest player in your franchise’s history is on the other sideline as an opponent in a playoff game.
That will be the case Sunday when the Colts face off with Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the NFL playoffs, with a spot in the AFC Championship Game on the line. Here is a look at the essential information, including the updated odds, for Sunday’s clash.
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Colts vs. Broncos
Date: Sunday, Jan. 11
Time: 4:40 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Odds: Broncos -7 (via Odds Shark, as of Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET)
Preview/Prediction
Gregg Doyel of The Indianapolis Star noted that, regardless of what happens Sunday, the Colts have already accomplished their goals and are essentially playing with house money at this point:
"They're playing with house money now, the Colts. By winning 11 regular-season games and the AFC South and then a playoff game at home, they've done what they needed to do, had to do, and now this football season can be seen as a success. And anything they do from here on out – starting Sunday at Denver, and even (gulp) beyond – is a bonus.
"
While it’s hard to argue with that assertion, the Colts players would likely say that a loss to Denver would be crushing. The only way to prevent that is by keeping the Broncos' high-powered offense in check.
One of the players that spearheads that attack is wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, and he discussed Manning going up against the Colts, via Kevin Bowen of Colts.com:
"I think Peyton’s been doing fine. I don’t know if it’s about hype; I know it’s just another playoff game. I can’t answer that question for him but I think he’ll be fine. We had them the first game of the season and he was fine. It’s a playoff game so it’s a little bit different because if you lose, you’re done and if you win, you keep going. I can’t really talk for Peyton but I think he’s fine.
"
It may still be somewhat strange for Manning to go against the Colts defense, but he needs to be on his game considering Indianapolis allowed 10 points in three of the last four games.
Granted, the one time that didn’t happen in that stretch was a 42-10 beatdown at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys, which is a similar offense to Denver’s in terms of the number of weapons on the field.
Manning threw for 34 of his 39 touchdowns in the first 11 games, but part of that decrease in production has to do with the emergence of the running game and C.J. Anderson, who averaged 108 rushing yards a game over the final six contests and scored all eight of his touchdown runs in that stretch.
He will present a challenge to the Colts front that was only 18th in the league against the run this season and had a banged-up Montee Ball to worry about in the season-opening matchup between these two teams. Interestingly, the Colts allowed more than 115 rushing yards in four of their five losses, so Denver will likely look to ride Anderson in this one.
Another change from Week 1 is the presence of Wes Welker, who missed the previous meeting with a suspension.
When he is in the slot, it opens up the field for Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas, which is concerning for the Colts since they allowed Julius Thomas to catch three touchdowns in the season opener.
He has dealt with lingering injuries for most of the second half of the season, but a repeat performance from Julius would make life particularly difficult on the Colts.
Indianapolis linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was motivated from that first game, though, via Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star:
"We have a nasty taste in our mouths. They handled us. We didn't play our best game at all. That's why I think a lot of guys have been quietly waiting for this opportunity.
When that whistle blew (Sunday) — it was great to get the win — but our focus was, what time is the (Denver) game? You can only enjoy this for a short period of time and then it's time to get back on the grind. I'll enjoy the journey when it's done. Right now, it's grind time.
"
There may just be too many weapons to stop for the Colts defense, especially if it has to bring extra defenders to the box to deal with Anderson.
On the other side, Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware understands what it takes to deal with Andrew Luck, via Bowen:
"He’s one of those guys that you have to play a 60-minute game against. He has really good pocket awareness. He’s always one of those guys, just like [QB] Peyton [Manning], where he hits the open guy the majority of the time. He plays a fundamentally sound game. He’s one of those quarterbacks you don’t want to go against, but you have to make sure you get pressure on him and make him one-dimensional.
"
The Colts did put up 408 yards of total offense on the Broncos in Week 1, but Denver may have let up a bit after seizing a 31-10 lead. Considering it only allowed more than 400 yards one more time all year, that very well may have been the case.
The Colts offensive line will have its hands full with Ware and Von Miller, especially since the win over the Bengals marked the 11th different starting line combination the team used this year. Injuries have ravaged the offensive front, which can come into play against a Broncos defense that finished ninth in the NFL in sacks.
While things seem to be stacking up in Denver’s favor, the Colts feature the league’s No. 1 passing offense and a gradually improving running game with Daniel “Boom” Herron, who just tallied 141 total yards and a touchdown against the Bengals.
The Colts will score some points with Luck, Herron and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, but Denver has the better defense in this one (ninth against the pass and second against the rush) and home-field advantage. Teams have to outscore the Broncos with Manning and company controlling the tempo, and the Colts won’t be able to do that against the strong Denver defense for four quarters.
Look for a Broncos victory in this one.
Prediction: Broncos 31, Colts 20
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