Sunday Night Football Preview: Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos

Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos
Sunday, 9/7/14, 8:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Denver -6.5
Current Betting Line: Denver -7.5
Opening Total: 55
Current Total: 54.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Denver Broncos will be without WR Wes Welker for the first four weeks of the 2014 season

Indianapolis handed Denver its first loss last season, as it picked up a 39-33 victory as six-point home underdogs, while going OVER the betting total of 54.5. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has some big time weapons, including wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and Hakeem Nicks, which is important to consider when making your NFL predictions. Veteran wideout Reggie Wayne is also back with the team after suffering a torn ACL in last season’s matchup. Indianapolis is 5-6 SUATS as underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two-plus seasons.

Unlike in last year’s meeting, the Colts will need to find a way to pressure Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning without the services of Robert Mathis, who is suspended for the first four games. Indianapolis needs to create some type of running game to help Luck offensively, which means that former Alabama Crimson Tide star Trent Richardson must try to average four or more yards per carry.

Denver has won 13 of its last 14 home openers, which can’t be ignored when looking over the Week 1 NFL betting lines. The Broncos’ five-game losing streak against the Colts is their longest active one of its kind, but the team is 11-9 SU overall in this series, including a 6-3 mark when playing in the Mile High City. Manning will drop back without having the ability to target Wes Welker, who was suspended for the first four games due to violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Denver is 27-5 SU and 21-9 ATS as favorites since 2012.

The Broncos first-team offense scored on six-of-10 possessions during the preseason, which could lead to another fast start for the franchise. Denver’s 46-20 record in the first month of the season is the NFL’s best such mark since 1996, but Indianapolis occupies the third spot in that category. Manning set league records with 55 touchdown passes and 5,477 yards in 2013 before getting blown out by the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.