The Indianapolis Colts visit the Denver Broncos in this week’s Thursday night game. Both teams are coming off difficult defeats last Sunday. Denver is a -3½ favorite, total at 43½ points, according to BetUS Sportsbook NFL odds.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos Odds by BetUs
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | +3½ ( -110 ) | 43½ ( -110 ) | +160 |  |
| Broncos | -3½ ( -110 ) | 43½ ( -110 ) | -190 | |
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Colts Haven’t Had Answers
The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the hard-to-figure teams in the league. Try zero points at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars in one game, then downing the Kansas City Chiefs the next. Indy sits at 1-2, coming off of a 24-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans in which the Colts surrendered all of the points in the first two quarters.
It’s fearful Indianapolis is without star running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor injured his ankle in the game last week after fumbling the ball. With the quick turnaround leading to Thursday, it’s not known if he’ll be able to participate. His status affects the Colts, the Broncos and the lines.
Similar to the Broncos, Indianapolis had thought its fortunes were changing after acquiring a quarterback. However, ex-Falcon Matt Ryan hasn’t been as great as the Atlanta years. Ryan is tied for 15th in touchdown passes (five), near bottom in any number of other categories. So, after Philip Rivers and Carson Wentz, there’s another veteran leading the offense. It hasn’t worked, at least through the first quarter of the season, 14.3 points per game fewest in league.
Broncos Haven’t Had Answers (either)
The Denver Broncos are a model of inconsistency, coming off of a two-game (albeit ugly) winning streak before losing this past Sunday at the Las Vegas Raiders. Many had believed the Broncos were Super Bowl contenders, that after making the trade for ex-Seattle Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson. Against the AFC West-rival Raiders, the Broncos scored a season-high 23 points, but surrendered a season-high 32 as well. They lost.
Offense hasn’t been clicking, while the defense kept the Broncos in games, except last Sunday. Denver is averaging the fourth-fewest points per game (16.5), while the defense is among the stingiest in the NFL. Vegas had the ball for nearly 10 more minutes than the Broncos. Offense must do better at keeping the ball, if no other reason than getting the defense off the field. However, that job just became now that running back Javonte Williams tore his ACL (right leg) and is out through the end of the 2022 season.
First to 10 Points Wins?
The Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts are similar teams this season. Offenses haven’t clicked after getting new quarterbacks into their system (Denver’s rookie coach Nathaniel Hackett is getting skewered regularly), but the defense have kept their respective teams in it. Now, the star running backs are either limping (Jonathan Tayor) or lost (Javonte Willians) or lost here. This will come down to a defensive battle, one that favors the Denver Broncos.
Denver -3½ is the pick, everything is seemingly favoring the home side at this moment. If the Colts are without Taylor, that is going to force Ryan to be more effective than he’s been at any point this season in leading a struggling offense. This game will not be a blowout by any means. With no Williams, the under is also in play. Expect the Broncos to win and cover.
