Indianapolis Colts Host Denver Broncos As Underdogs At Lucas Oil Stadium

USA Today

The stage is set for a showdown between Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning in Week 9. Luck took over for Manning back in 2012 with the Indianapolis not missing a beat with the rookie under center opposed to the former face of the franchise.

In 2015, the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts are two teams in the AFC headed in entirely different directions. The Broncos are currently sporting a flawless 7-0 record while sitting atop the AFC West division well ahead of the resurgent Oakland Raiders (4-3).

According to Sportsbook.ag, the Broncos are favored to make it four straight losses for the Colts with a -6 point spread. Indianapolis will host Denver at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday night with Manning potentially playing his last game on the home field of his former team.

Unfortunately for the Colts, the once-promising squad led by Luck has struggled this season. Indianapolis may have made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game against the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots last year, but this year has been a struggle to say the least. The Colts have lost three straight coming into their matchup with the Broncos and desperately need a win to turn things around.

Although the Colts are struggling, Luck and company are tied for first place in the AFC South division with the Houston Texans. Both teams have 3-5 records with many believing one of these two teams could clinch the division title with a losing record.

Regardless of the records of both teams, this game will be a hard-fought battle. Manning will be dealing with potentially playing his final game in Indianapolis while Luck will be concentrating on making this a statement game by upsetting an undefeated team.

The safe bet, of course, would be taking the Broncos to cover the -6 point spread. Denver has arguably the best defense in the league this season that is coming off a dominant victory over the best team in the NFC in the Green Bay Packers. Unless Luck singlehandedly leads the Colts to win with a breakout performance, the Broncos should cruise to an eighth straight win.