Ever since Indianapolis decided to part ways with Peyton Manning and go all in with Stanford phenom Andrew Luck back in March 2012, the fates of these two quarterbacks have always been intertwined. So it’s only fitting that they will finally share the spotlight in the postseason as the Broncos and the Colts square off in the AFC Divisional round this coming Sunday.
Luck and Manning have already faced each other twice before with the Broncos and the Colts cancelling each other out in those two meetings. This game, however, is the biggest of them all as at stake in this clash is a spot in the AFC Championship game.
In this meeting between past and present, who will emerge victorious? Read on for a complete preview of this showdown and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Ravens vs. Patriots and Cowboys vs. Packers as Super Bowl XLIX draws ever closer.
[sc:Football ]Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos Betting Preview
When: Sunday, January 11, 4:40 PM ET
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver
Line: Indianapolis Colts (+7.5) at Denver Broncos (-7.5); total: 53.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck picked the perfect time to deliver his best performance of the season, completing 31 of 44 passes for 376 yards and a game-altering touchdown to lead the Colts to a commanding 26-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wild Card game Sunday night.
[sc:NFL240banner ]It has been quite a start for Luck in terms of his postseason career, as he has now moved past Kurt Warner in the list of quarterbacks with the most passing yards in their first four games in the playoffs with 1,438 to his name. Not only that, but Luck also joined Dan Fouts, Jim Kelly, Warren Moon and Drew Brees as the only players to throw three consecutive 300-yard games in the postseason.
That is not bad company indeed but what was most impressive about Luck’s performance Sunday was the way he protected the football against the Bengals. For the first time in his postseason career, Luck didn’t commit a single turnover in a playoff start. He won’t have it easy against Denver this coming Sunday, however, as the Broncos are seventh in the NFL in interceptions with 18 to their name this season.
Another worrying concern for the Colts is Luck’s horrible record on the road in the postseason. He has struggled mightily in his only two playoff starts away from home, losing 24-9 to Baltimore in 2013, and then succumbing to the New England Patriots 43-22 at Gillette Stadium last season. He averaged 309.5 passing yards in those two games but only had two touchdowns and threw a whopping five interceptions.
Still, the Colts will fancy their chances with Luck at the helm as the 25-year-old is playing some inspired football this season. Luck threw an NFL-best 40 touchdowns this season and he is third among starting quarterbacks in the passing department with a 297.6 yard per game clip.
That’s quite an accomplishment for a guy who’s playing in just his third season in the league. He will look to add a feather to his cap with a win over the Broncos this coming Sunday and seal his first ever AFC Championship game appearance.
The Colts are 5-3 on the road this season.
The NFL’s Divisional Round is finally here. Create a betting account now and put your playoff picks to the test.
Betting on the Denver Broncos
For Peyton Manning, the stakes can never be higher.
Eleven months after Denver’s humiliating 43-8 defeat to Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII, the pressure is on for Manning to deliver that coveted Vince Lombardi trophy to the Mile High city. There will be no excuses this time around as the Broncos management have surrounded him with the best possible talent to grab the title this time around.
Shortly after their debacle against the Seahawks, Broncos general manager John Elway acted quickly on the transfer market snapping up T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware to boost Denver’s defense that was severely exposed by Seattle in the championship game.
The trio have helped the Broncos become one of the best defensive teams in the league this season. Denver is third-best in the entire NFL in the total defense department with the Broncos allowing just 305.8 yards per game.
With that being said, Denver’s chances of winning their third Super Bowl crown will still hinge largely on their offense and the form of their star quarterback. After an atrocious performance in last year’s Super Bowl, Manning have rebounded strongly this season, compiling a total of 4,727 passing yards, good for fourth in the NFL. He is also second in the league in touchdowns thrown with 39 to his name this season.
And if that wasn’t enough, Manning will also be highly motivated this coming Sunday as he will face his former team, the Indianapolis Colts. Manning has already faced the Colts once this season, completing 22 of 36 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in Denver’s 31-24 victory on opening night.
Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders were the main beneficiaries of Manning’s performance in that opening game, tallying 104 and 77 yards respectively. Thomas and Sanders have been the stalwarts of the Broncos’ passing game, with both players finishing second and fifth respectively in the NFL in the receiving department this season.
They will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing an Indianapolis secondary that is 12th-worst in the league in passing touchdowns allowed with the Colts conceding 27 this season.
What makes this Broncos team a tougher team to beat this time around, however, is their much-improved running game. Since transforming their offense to a more run-oriented attack in Week 12, the Broncos have averaged 147.7 yards rushing per game. The Broncos will surely utilize their ground game against an Indianapolis defensive line that is allowing 113.4 rushing yards per game, 18th in the NFL.
The Broncos are 8-0 at home this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Broncos (-7.5) edge past the Colts in a shootout, 38-34.
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