by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Dec 12, 2024
Game Time: 4:25 pm ET, Sunday, December 15, 2024
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Colts +4, Broncos -4; Over/Under: 44 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Colts +4, Broncos -4; Over/Under: 44 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Colts +4, Broncos -4; Over/Under: 44 points
Season Record
Indianapolis Colts: 6-7 (2nd place, AFC South)
Denver Broncos: 8-5 (3rd place, AFC West)
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Recent Form
Indianapolis Colts: won their last game on the road against the New England Patriots 25-24.
Denver Broncos: won their last game at home against the Cleveland Browns 41-32.
Indianapolis Colts vs Denver Broncos Preview and Analysis
The Colts are entering this game with a 6-7 record overall and they have a 1-3 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-3 in their home games, 3-4 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the New England Patriots 25-24. Anthony Richardson was the starting QB and he completed 12/24 passes for 109 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Jonathan Taylor led the team in rushing yards with 96. Michael Pittman Jr. led the receivers with 42 receiving yards on 5 receptions. Zaire Franklin led the defense in that game with 10 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Zaire Franklin led the defense in sacks with 1.5. Julian Blackmon came away with the only interception for them in that one.
The Broncos are entering this game with an 8-5 record overall and they have a 2-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 4-2 in their home games, 4-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Cleveland Browns 41-32. Bo Nix was the starting QB and he completed 18/35 passes for 294 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Jaleel McLaughlin led the team in rushing yards with 84. Marvin Mims Jr. led the receivers with 105 receiving yards on 3 receptions and 1 TD. Levi Wallace and Cody Barton each led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while Jonah Elliss, Jonathon Cooper, and Nik Bonitto each led the defense in sacks with 1. Cody Barton, Ja'Quan McMillian, and Nik Bonitto each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.
Colts vs Broncos Prediction
The current betting odds have the Broncos listed as a 4 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Broncos have looked good in their games this season with their 8-5 record overall which has them in 3rd place of the AFC West but fighting for a Wild Card spot. They are coming off a win over the Browns on Monday night football, but they are also coming out of their bye week so they have had extra time to prepare for this game that they need to win for the playoff race. Meanwhile, the Colts haven't looked great in their games this season with their 6-7 record overall, but that record has them in 2nd place of the AFC South and still fighting for a playoff spot. They are also coming out of their bye week and coming off a win over the Patriots in their last one, but they won that game by 1 point on a last second TD which they went for 2 points after. The Colts haven't looked great on offense lately, their run game has been good, but they have no passing offense with the way Richardson has been playing. Bo Nix has looked a lot better over the last few weeks and even though the Colts are still in the hunt, the Broncos have a lot more to play for here with their 8-5 record overall. The Broncos also have one of the best defenses in the NFL right now and they still control their destiny while the Colts don't. The best way to place a bet here is on the Broncos to cover the spread in this game.
Colts Broncos Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, December 15, 2024 (4:25 pm ET start time) is Broncos 24 Colts 11.
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NFL Betting Trends
Indianapolis Colts: 17-29 1H ATS in all games. 6-11 1H ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 4-8 1H ATS after a win by 6 or less points. 8-3 UNDER in games played on a grass field. 5-0 1H UNDER against AFC West division opponents. 28-19 1H UNDER in all games.
Denver Broncos: 9-2 ATS versus poor rushing defenses - allowing 4.5 rushing yards/carry or more. 6-3 ATS versus poor rushing defenses - allowing 130 rushing yards/game or more. 11-5 ATS versus poor defensive teams - allowing 5.65 yards/play or more. 5-0 UNDER against AFC South division opponents. 7-2 UNDER in a home game where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points.
Key Injuries
Indianapolis Colts: R. Kelly (C) Injured - Knee. D. Buckner (DT) Injured - Back. B. Smith (T) Injured - NIR - Personal. M. Pittman (WR) Injured - Back. A. Dulin (WR) Injured - Ankle. J. Downs (WR) Injured - Shoulder. T. Bortolini (G) Injured - Concussion. J. Carlies (LB) Injured - Fibula.
Denver Broncos: B. Jones (SAF) Injured - Abdomen. R. Moss (CB) Injured - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“It comes down to a lot of those in this league, and that’s huge growth. That’s huge confidence for him. Huge confidence for our team that he can get those things done.” - Shane Steichen after his team’s win against the Patriots in their last game.
“It wasn’t perfect, by any means, but we were able to finish. Big plays — the game was full of them." - Sean Payton after his team’s win against the Browns in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Indianapolis Colts
WR Pierce, Alec
WR Pittman Jr., Michael
WR Gould, Anthony
TE Alie-Cox, Mo
QB Richardson, Anthony
RB Taylor, Jonathan
Denver Broncos
WR Sutton, Courtland
WR Humphrey, Lil'Jordan
WR Vele, Devaughn
TE Trautman, Adam
QB Nix, Bo
RB Williams, Javonte
FB Burton, Michael
Statistical Leaders
Indianapolis Colts
Passing: A. Richardson (1511)
Rushing: J. Taylor (804)
Receiving: A. Pierce (645)
Touchdowns: J. Taylor (6)
Denver Broncos
Passing: B. Nix (2842)
Rushing: J. Williams (446)
Receiving: C. Sutton (846)
Touchdowns: B. Nix (5)
Coaches:
Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen (2nd season)
Denver Broncos: Sean Payton (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
