Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck Hook Up Again in Broncos-Colts Clash
By Charles Jay
Last season the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts produced one of the more exciting games of the year, although it didn’t quite amount to the quarterback shootout everybody was expecting. However, there was a great story line, as Peyton Manning returned to his old stomping grounds in Indianapolis. This season, Manning has one thing on his mind – getting back to the Super Bowl and winning it. So Denver, which has made some significant personnel moves, gets back to business playing host to the Colts in NFL betting action that is set to begin at 8:30 PM ET at Sports Authority Field and televised nationwide on NBC.
The Colts won last year’s showdown at home 39-33, despite the fact that Andrew Luck threw for just 213 yards. Manning had 365 yards in that game, and was sacked four times. But the Broncos moved on to the Super Bowl, where they were throttled 43-8 by the Seattle Seahawks. They didn’t stand pat in the off-season, making some upgrades to the defensive unit. But they have lost some offense, and they have to deal with that.
The Broncos were 15-4 straight-up in 2013 (including the post-season), with a 12-7 mark against the points. The Colts, who won the rather non-competitive AFC South, went 12-6 straight-up and were 10-7-1 ATS.
In the NFL Odds that have been posted at VietBet, the Broncos are the solid favorites at home:
Denver Broncos -7.5 (-105)
Indianapolis Colts +7.5 (-115)
Over 55 Points -110
Under 55 Points -110
Manning may have been stopped cold in the Super Bowl, but he had a record-setting regular-season, throwing for 5477 yards and 55 touchdowns. Of course, he put another MVP award on his mantle. But there was some attrition. The Broncos lost wide receiver Eric Decker to free agency in the off-season, and they got some bad news when Wes Welker suffered his third concussion in 10 months, then got hit with a four-game suspension by the league for violating the policy against performance-enhancing drugs. The latest word was that the suspension could be reduced or even lifted, but VietBet customers shouldn’t necessarily count on that. Manning does like the fact that the team went out and acquired Emmanuel Sanders, a wide receiver formerly with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver only hopes that Montee Ball can carry more of the burden in the backfield, as Knowshon Moreno left for Miami.
The Colts would love to get more out of Trent Richardson, who they acquired from Cleveland early last season. That would take some of the pressure off of Luck, who showed NFL bettors how turnover-prone he could be with seven interceptions in the playoffs. The receiving crew should be better; Reggie Wayne is back from his injury, and former New York Giant Hakeem Nicks has been added. But it is definitely time for the offensive line to do its job; putting pressure on Luck could have obvious benefits for the Broncos.
Manning is thrilled to death that left tackle Ryan Clady, one of the best in the business, is back from the injury that sidelined him for most of the season. One guy they will not have to deal with is Robert Mathis, the NFL sack leader last season who dumped Manning twice in last year’s meeting. Mathis is currently under suspension (that seems to be going around, doesn’t it?). The Bronco management, which of course is headed up by Hall of Famer John Elway, did its most meaningful off-season work shoring up the defensive unit, acquiring DeMarcus Ware, who had been released by the Dallas Cowboys, along with Pro Bowl cornerback Aqib Talib and safety TJ Ward. Von Miller is back from injury as well, so as VietBet patrons can imagine, there is great potential for a dynamic pass rush in the Mile High City this season. Can either of these teams run the football enough to keep pressure off the passer? Denver seems a better bet to do that.
VietBet has what you are looking for in terms of value in your pro football betting this season, because they give you the best odds, courtesy of their “reduced juice” policy. Great bonuses and lightning-quick payouts should make this one a no-brainer!