There are only four undefeated teams remaining this season and one of them are the Denver Broncos, who have started 7-0 for the first time since 1998. They’ll be putting their perfect record on the line this weekend when they head to Lucas Oil Stadium for an impending date with Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. Can the Broncos continue their unbeaten run?
Read on below for a complete breakdown of this promising clash. And while you’re at it, check out our other NFL Week 9 previews: Redskins vs. Patriots and Browns vs. Bengals. Enjoy.
Denver is still undefeated and it’s all thanks to their virtuoso all-around performance last Sunday night against Green Bay. They didn’t just depend on their solid defense to get the win as they found their offensive rhythm in this one. The Broncos held a 500-140 total yards advantage and prevented their opponents from finding their form by holding Aaron Rodgers to one of the worst performances of his career.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Peyton Manning was also very solid in this game. Manning reminded the world why he’s five-time MVP by completing 21-of-29 passes for 340 yards despite not being able to throw for a touchdown. He didn’t need to since he had the pair of backs in C.J Anderson and Ronnie Hillman, who combined for 161 rushing yards and three touchdowns to provide the scores.
Meanwhile, the passing game of the Broncos was also clicking thanks to none other than Demaryius Thomas. Thomas, who currently leads the team in receiving yards (695), secured eight-of-11 targets for a game-high and season-high of 168 yards.
The Broncos will now aim to prolong their 7-0 run further when they pay the Indianapolis Colts a visit at Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend. The Colts have had a tough time locking down outside receivers this season as they’re allowing 285.9 passing yards per contest this season, the third-most in the NFL.
That said, all eyes are going to be Thomas to have another big-time output against this struggling secondary. The 27-year-old wideout has fared well versus Indy, averaging 17.3 yards per catch with one touchdown through three career games.
Also, it will be good to keep a close watch on their new tight end in Vernon Davis, who was acquired through a trade with San Francisco today. Davis’ experience, leadership and ability to stretch the field are bound to have a positive impact on the team. The two-time Pro-Bowler, though, has only garnered 194 yards on 18 receptions so far in six games this year.
Denver is 7-3 SU and 6-3-1 ATS in its past 10 road games.
The bleeding continues in Indianapolis as it was handed its third-consecutive loss on Monday night opposite the undefeated Panthers, 29-26. The Colts fought till the very end and had a strong chance to steal the game in the overtime until Luke Kuechly broke their spirits with a crucial interception that ultimately cost them the game.
The Colts have fallen to 3-5 and are tied with the Texans for the first spot in the AFC South division. They’ll get another chance to put an end to their losing woes in Week 9. But they’ll be trying to climb another mountain in this one as their opponents will be the Denver Broncos, who are one of the four remaining unbeaten teams in the league right now.
For the Colts to pull off the upset, the onus is on Frank Gore and T.Y. Hilton to remain confident in challenging the Broncos’ stifling defense which ranks No. 1 in the league with only 261.1 total yards given up per contest.
Gore, the 32-year-old running back, holds a team-high of 446 rushing yards with three scores on the season and is averaging 5.6 yards per reception with three touchdowns throughout three career games versus the Packers. Hilton, on the other hand, is coming off a mediocre effort against the Panther but is continues to be the main man for Indy’s passing game. He is averaging 16.4 receiving yard per game thus far this season, the eighth-best in the NFL.
Indianapolis is 6-4 SU and 5-4-1 ATS in its previous 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Broncos stay perfect with a 23-17 win over the Colts.
