Colts vs Broncos AFC Second Round Playoff Pick: Opening Game Rematch

Things just got real. This isn’t any Week 1 regular season matchup – Super Bowl XLIX is on the line now.

The Colts will be hopeful entering Sports Authority Field on Sunday regardless of their most recent 31-24 loss to the Broncos.

Not to mention the fact that they’re the road underdog by 7 points.

Colts vs Broncos AFC Second Round Playoff Pick

But I’m not selling Indy (11-5-0) short yet, they did beat out the Bengals last week 21-10 to snag the 4th Seed and a face off with the golden boy of Denver.

So I know I was just talking up Rodgers and Romo in my other pick, but Manning and Luck need honourable mentions for having pretty great seasons too.

The Broncos QB finished out with 4,727 yards passing, 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Just another day at work for Peyton.

And everyone’s favourite Andrew Luck showed his quality in last week’s contest, throwing a 36-yard TD to Moncrief with Carlos Dunlap attempting to drag him down.

But there’s no lack of star-power in this #INDvsDEN matchup.

C.J. Anderson will also be burning up the field on Sunday. He finished out his regular season with 3 consecutive games of at least 83 yards rushing (and had back-to-back games of 167 and 168 yards rushing back in November).

It’s going to be the Colts main mission to prevent Denver from establishing the run and allowing the Broncos’ all-star running and quarter backs to gain momentum.

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Get all of our Second Round NFL Playoff Picks and stay tuned for our game by game breakdowns leading right up to Superbowl XLIX.

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Cowboys vs Packers
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Indy’s defense is going to play a big role in this game, either for good or for evil.

Luck is going to be tied down by Ware – just like during Week 1 – so putting the breaks on Manning and his offense will be critical if the Colts want a hope of outscoring them.

That’s the scary part though – the inconsistency of the Indianapolis defense.

No one’s really sure how a team can allow just 135 yards in one game then give up 639 yards the next.

They’ll have to put their hopes in a lot players having a shitty game – like Broncos’ WR Thomas did in week 1 when he dropped 3 passes and gained just 38 yards.

But before I go pointing fingers, I should remember that the much bragged about Hilton (1,345 yard and 7 TD’s this season) didn’t play so well in the opening game against the Broncos either.

I can see the offense running away with this one for sure, especially with an uncertain defense on the Colts side.

 

Betting Lines and Odds

  1. The Broncos are the favourite at -7 (-105) with 59% of bettors agreeing
  2. The ML is 55% on the Colts straight up
  3. The Total is set at a high 54 with 72% expecting it to go OVER

#INDvsDEN Fast Facts

  • The Colts are just 2-8 SU and ATS in their last 10 road playoff games.
  • Denver is 17-1 SU and 10-8 ATS over its last 18 home games.
  • The total has gone over in 8 of the last 9 #INDvsDEN games.
  • Denver’s last 6 home games have gone over.
  • When the Colts and Broncos played in the regular season, Indy was down 24-7 by halftime.
  • Broncos’ wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is 2nd in the NFL for receptions and receiving yards.
  • Colts’ CB Davis limited opposing quarterback’s to a 38.8 passer rating this season.
  • Broncos’ CB Harris is the only corner in the league graded above Davis.
  • Herron replaced Trent Richardson against the Bengals and ended up getting the ball 12 times for 56 yards and a touchdown plus 10 catches for 85 yards.
  • Brandon Marshall leads Denver’s defense with 133 tackles for a total of  30 run stops this season.

AFC Second Round Playoff Pick

Even with a total set above 50, I’m still going to say take the over. You can’t have Manning and Luck on the field and not rack up some serious points.

What do you think?

Written by Ricky Price

I just love NFL Football, NCAA Basketball, NBA Basketball and sports betting. Long time Texas Longhorns fan. Dallas Cowboys and Spurs follower.

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