Andrew Luck put on one hell of a show in last night’s back-breaking loss to Detroit. He completed 66 percent of his passes for 385 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions, while also adding 21 yards on three carries. But that performance was laid to waste, as the Indianapolis Colts couldn’t stand their ground on the defensive end.
The Indy defense was really bad to say the least. It gave up 37 points and 448 total yards, resulting to an average of seven yards per play for the Lions. The Colts also did not force a turnover, got just one sack on Stafford and basically couldn’t get a stop when they needed to. To be fair though, that horrendous defense effort was expected since they were playing with a shorthanded defensive lineup.
Up next for the Luck and co. is a grueling road trip to the Mile High City, where the Super Bowl 50 champion Broncos await them. Indy, though, has beaten Denver in eight of their last 10 meetings (9-1 ATS). That stretch includes their two encounters last season, both of which they won.
So, in order for the Colts to continue owning the Broncos, Luck needs to keep his form up. Yes, it won’t be easy against a defensive-minded team like Denver, but the 26-year-old signal-caller has a lot of reliable options by his side to ignite their passing game, which almost toasted the Lions yesterday night.
Indy had four players finish with at least 53 or more receiving yards in Week 1. WR Philip Dorsett led the way with 94 yards on four catches, while the pair of T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief finished with 143 yards on 12 receptions combined.
TE Jack Doyle, meanwhile, was arguably the biggest surprise for the Colts. He caught three passes for 35 yards and accounted for two of the team’s four touchdowns.
The Denver Broncos defense bullied its way to a come-from-behind win over Cam Newton and the Panthers last Thursday night, 21-20. The Broncos particularly made sure they got in the mind of Newton, collecting a total of three sacks and eight hits, while endlessly abusing the league MVP in almost every drive.
You can certainly expect Andrew Luck of the Colts to receive that kind of treatment this coming weekend. But in terms of offense, that is where the Super Bowl 50 champions are at a disadvantage, especially with an inexperienced quarterback in Trevor Siemian, who registered just 178 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions versus the Panthers.
The Indy defense, though, might have to play shorthanded again, which could be good news for Siemian. He will (hopefully) have an easier time in locating Denver’s top two targets downfield: Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. The two combined for 97 yards on nine catches in Week 1.
Apart from the passing game, the Broncos also have a formidable threat on the ground by the name of C.J. Anderson. He rushed for a team-high 92 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries against Carolina. He also added 47 yards and another touchdown on four receptions.
Denver is 8-2 SU and 5-4-1 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Luck goes wild again, but this time, his Colts (+6) snatch the win, 20-17.
