Manning Versus Luck Part II as Denver Hosts Indianapolis
Manning versus the Colts, Manning versus Luck, the Broncos versus the Colts, the storylines continue but Sunday’s game between the host Denver Broncos the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football will put an end to them all.
The Colts are hoping to upset the Broncos yet again. At the same time, the Broncos try to shake off the blues of losing the Super Bowl and reassert themselves as the best in the AFC.
Both teams start their seasons hoping their defenses are able to step up following tough losses that ended their seasons.
The Broncos have added DeMarcus Ware a defensive, end, Aqib Talib a cornerback and T.J. Ware a safety in free agency.
The Colts added Arthur Jones a defensive lineman and D’Qwell Jackson an inside linebacker.
Both teams can put points on the board, the big question is can they make stops on the days their offenses cannot dominate?
With the total for the first game at 55.5, it suggests odds makers are not convinced with the defense from either team.
Currently the Broncos are favored by 7.5 points and the point total is sitting on 55.5.
Including play in the postseason, but not the preseason, Denver has been the favorite in 31 straight games that dates back to 2012. In the 30 games played over that time, the Broncos are 18-12 ATS.
Indianapolis has been strong bets since Andrew Luck joined them two seasons ago. Their starting quarterback has led the team to a 22-13 against the spread mark.
In Luck’s starts, the Colts, as an underdog, are 10-7 ATS, including their outright win last season against the Broncos in Indianapolis.
In the Indianapolis win last season over Denver, the defense sacked Manning four times. Two of the sacks were by Robert Mathias. However, he will not play in the game as he is serving a suspension for violating the PED policy in the league.
Without Mathias, Indianapolis could find it hard to get to Manning and Manning has surely studied Indy’s tendencies as well since the loss last season.
Indianapolis must keep their offense on the field as much as possible and win the time of possession as they did last season. The Colts have to convert third down situations and avoid obvious passing downs.
Denver receiver Wes Welker will not play due to being suspended by the league for the next four games.
Matt Prater the Denver kicker has also been suspended for the first four games and the Colts.
The Colts are relatively healthy entering the game, as are the Broncos.
Reggie Wayne, the Colts wide receiver, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, is fine and will play.
The weather in Denver should be fine with light winds and 80 degrees at kickoff.
The play on this matchup looks to be the OVER. Denver at home under John Fox is 17-9 O/U and last season the two teams combined to score 72 points, which makes an OVER look quite appetizing.
