NFL - Colts v Broncos

13 December 2009

Preview By Tipster Jumbo (New Zealand)

The Denver Broncos were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL earlier this year, opening with six consecutive wins, But that’s nothing when you see what the Indianapolis Colts have accomplished.

The Colts seek their 22nd consecutive regular-season victory and look to clinch the AFC's top seed when they host the Broncos. Indianapolis has already clinched the AFC South for the sixth time in seven years. The only time the Colts didn't win the division in that span was last season, when they lost at San Diego in a wild-card playoff game. The Colts are one victory away from earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Playing at Lucas Oil Stadium has provided a decisive advantage for the Colts, who won their 12th straight there with last Sunday's 27-17 victory over Tennessee. After needing fourth-quarter comebacks in each of their previous five games, the Colts scored 24 first-half points to coast to the win. Indianapolis matched New England's record for consecutive regular-season victories while extending its own NFL record of consecutive 12-win seasons to seven. Manning is playing some of the best football of his career, leads the NFL with 3,685 passing yards. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne has already topped 1,000 yards, while tight end Dallas Clark has 859. Manning passed for 193 yards and three touchdowns in the Colts' last game against the Broncos, a 38-20 win Sept. 30, 2007.

Broncos Coach McDaniels wants to win today because it will put the Broncos closer to ending a three-year playoff drought. Denver is in the thick of the playoff race following wins over the New York Giants and Kansas City, whom they outscored by a combined 70-19. The Broncos had lost four in a row after a 6-0 start - the franchise's best since opening 13-0 in 1998.The Broncos though remain one game back of the Chargers in the West with last Sunday's 44-13 win over the Chiefs.Denver piled up a season-high 245 yards on the ground and is averaging 154.5 rushing yards in its last four games. Rookie RB Moreno, who scored twice last Sunday, is averaging 87.8 rushing yards over the last four and leads all rookies with 774 yards. While RB Buckhalter, rushed for 113 yards on 12 carries last week. Denver's defense has also stepped up in the last two games. The Broncos limited the Giants and Chiefs to an average of 244.5 yards after yielding 350.8 yards and 29.3 points during their skid.The defense, second in the NFL in allowing 180.3 passing yards per game which could cause troubles facing Manning and his Colts WR’s.

The Colts have won 6 of the last 8 meetings against the Broncos and are 6-2 ATS in those matches, In the last 5 matches played at Indy the Colts have won 4 and are 4-1 ATS in those meetings, Total wise and the Set Total has been passed in 5 of the last 8 meetings between the two sides and of the 5 games played at Indy the set Total has been passed in the last 3 played there.

The Colts are 5-0 in their last 5 matches and are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games, However the Colts are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 home matches On the other side the Broncos are 2-4 in their last 6 games but are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 road matches, the Broncos are also 4-2 in their last 6 road games.

The Colts have scored 17 or more in their last 5 games while allowing 15 or more in their last 5 games, On the Other side the Broncos have scored over 20 points in their last 2 matches after a horror run and have allowed no more than 13 points in either game, although those were against the Chiefs and Giants.

This game looks like it could be very interesting, the Colts are so full of injuries right now that how they can even field a defence is just amazing, with the exception of last weeks win over the Titans the Colts have had to come from behind to win in 4 of their last 5 games and it is getting harder and harder for them to continue winning, This week they gave a possible 11 Starters in doubt for this match and sooner or later it is going to get them, I just don’t know when, although this week it could happen, but the Broncos will have to play very well, On the other side the Broncos are back to looking good again on both sides of the ball, their defence is very good and after a bad run is starting to hit it’s straps again, it also helps that their negative Turn over ratio that they had during their bad run is fixed at present and they have yet to turn the ball over in their last 2 matches.

Manning is the man, of that there is no question, but can he continue to lift his side game after game as they are all falling around him? I’m gong to say that he can but it will get harder and harder with each passing weekend and if they continue to lose players the task could be impossible come play off time, The Broncos are a side that surprised everyone with their start to the season and now after a very bad run they are winning again and are still very much in the hunt for the post season, I reckon that this game means more to the Broncos than the Colts and I expect them to try really hard to get something from this game, whether it be confidence from a close game or whatever and so I’m prepared to give the Broncos the start on this match…Good Luck.