Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos Odds

Playing with a banged up secondary, and with the death of a teammate on their minds, the Denver Broncos have their backs up against the wall as they host the defending AFC champion Indianapolis Colts Sunday. While NFL odds makers seem to be expecting an inspired effort, they ultimately have the Broncos coming up short. The Colts are listed as a 6-point favorite with the total set at 48.5.

The death of Kenny McKinley has no doubt made it tough for the Broncos to focus on football this week. And as if that isn’t enough to deal with, they could be without starting cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman. Both players are currently listed as questionable.

The nine-time Pro Bowler Bailey was seen on crutches after last week’s win over Seattle, and is apparently dealing with a foot injury. Goodman was taken out of last Sunday’s game with a thigh injury.

If both can’t go, the Broncos will likely start rookies Perrish Cox and Cassius Vaughn. Cox did play well in last week’s win, coming up with an interception. If they are thrust into starting roles, the pressure will certainly be as they face the best quarterback in the league.

Peyton Manning leads the NFL with 688 passing yards and six touchdowns, and he is yet to throw an interception. Despite a big day from Manning, the Colts lost their opener at Houston. But they were able to bounce back last week, using their ground game to keep the Giants honest.

Manning was an efficient 20 of 26 for 255 yards and three scores, but the story was the Colts’ 161 rushing yards. After only managing 44 yards on the ground in Week 1, Indy made it a point to run the football.

Manning and the Colts have certainly had Denver’s number. Excluding a contest in which Indy was resting its starters, the Colts have won five in a row against Denver, and Manning has thrown 19 touchdown strikes in those wins.

While Indy completely dominated the Giants at home, winning on the road is never an easy task. The Indy defense will certainly have to show up if it hopes to slow down a sharp Kyle Orton.

Denver’s starting signal caller has already thrown for 602 yards. He finished with 307 and two scores in last week’s rout of the Seahawks. In addition, he has already started to build chemistry with first-round pick Demaryius Thomas, who was on the receiving end of eight Orton passes last week, gaining 97 yards and a touchdown in an impressive debut.

Orton was especially good on the all-important third down. On that down, he completed 11 of 14 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. The Indianapolis defense did play well last week, but it is not immune to giving up big yards. We saw that in Week 1 when it was torched by Texas. If Denver can be as efficient on third down this week, it will be right in this football game.

It is certainly worth noting that Denver is 9-3-1 against the spread in its last 13 games as a home underdog.