Broncos (2-5) at Colts (4-2)
Colts schedule
L . at L.A. Chargers . 30-24 W .... at Tennessee .... 19-17 W ......... Atlanta ......... 27-24 L ......... Oakland ......... 31-24 W ... at Kansas City ... 19-13
BYE
W ........ Houston ........ 30-23 Oct. 27 ...... Denver ...... 4:25 Nov. 3 ..... at Pittsburgh ..... 1 Nov. 10 ....... Miami ....... 4:05 Nov. 17 ..... Jacksonville ..... 1 Nov. 21 .. at Houston ..8:20 Dec. 1 ....... Tennessee ....... 1 Dec. 8 .... at Tampa Bay .... 1 Dec. 16 at New Orleans 8:15 Dec. 22 ........ Carolina ........ 1 Dec. 29 .. at Jacksonville .. 1
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s by 6 ⁄2
1
Broncos’ keys to victory: RBs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman will need to carry the offense. Lindsay has been efficient between the tackles, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, while Freeman has been a big part of the passing game with 25 receptions for 177 yards. QB Joe Flacco hasn’t been stellar through the air but will need to lean on the talent of WRs Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton. Defensively, the Broncos need more production from OLB Von Miller, who has just 2.5 sacks in seven games. The Broncos need CB Chris Harris to apply sticky man coverage on WR T.Y. Hilton.
Colts’ keys to victory: Alone atop the AFC South, the Colts must take advantage of their matchups defensively. The front seven must focus on stopping the Broncos’ rushing attack. The secondary must force turnovers by Broncos QB Joe Flacco. Offensively, QB Jacoby Brissett must continue his efficient ways following a fourtouchdown game. RB Marlon Mack will be looking to bounce back on the ground, where he’s averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
Matchup to watch: Colts WR T.Y. Hilton vs. Broncos CB Chris Harris. Hilton has been a big-play machine, while Harris is one of the top slot corners in the league. The matchup in the red zone will be intense; Hilton has improved his production inside the 20-yard line.
Who wins? The Colts are coming off of two big wins, are at home and are playing with extreme confidence. This could be a trap game, but the Colts should be well-prepared for a struggling, inconsistent Denver team.
Colts, 20-14 line:
Colts