The Indianapolis Colts (6-7) will be on the road to face the Denver Broncos (8-5) in Week 15.
This is a vital matchup for both franchises. A win for Indianapolis puts them in position for a strong push for a playoff spot and the tie-breaker over the Broncos. A victory for Denver would create enough cushion on their lead for the final wildcard spot that, if everything goes right for them, they could lock it up before Week 18.
The Colts open the week as four-point road underdogs against the Broncos. Most experts believe Denver will win this crucial contest and cover the spread.
NFL picks, predictions Week 13: Colts vs. Patriots
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Broncos 27, Colts 19
Bender: “The Colts are coming out of a bye week, and this will be a test for Anthony Richardson. He is 2-2 S/U in road starts this season with a 49.2-percent completion percentage, five TDs, and six interceptions. Denver is 4-2 at home this season, where they have allowed 19.2 points per game. The Broncos are 6-1 ATS as a favorite, too..”
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Broncos 23, Colts 20
Iyer: “The Colts know this is their season, as their AFC wild-card playoff hopes are contingent on beating and passing the No. 7 seed Broncos. Both teams are coming off a bye, so it will come down to which team can contain a big-armed young QB who can run. Denver’s defense is better equipped for Anthony Richardson than Indianapolis will be for Bo Nix, who is a superior rookie at home.”
Jeremy Cluff, USA Today Sports: Colts 20, Patriots 17
Cluff: “This is a must-win game for the Colts, but the Broncos have won three in a row and are tough to beat in Denver.”
Sayre Bedinger, NFL Spin Zone Broncos 28, Colts 20
Johnson: “The Broncos are 4.5-point favorites and I do like them playing at home and coming off of a bye, even with the Colts also getting their bye in Week 14. The Broncos get their 9th win of the season here and we might even see their running game come alive.”
Ben Rolfe, Pro Football Network: Broncos 24, Colts 17
Rolfe: “What a matchup this could prove to be in Denver on Sunday. The Indianapolis Colts are fighting for their playoff lives, while the Denver Broncos look to continue a winning streak that has given them a loose grip on an AFC Wild Card spot. The result of this game could have huge ramifications as a potential tiebreaker in the Wild Card picture as well as ripple effects on three or four other teams.
In pure metrics, the Broncos are the superior team across the board. Their offense and special teams are slightly better than the Colts’, and Denver’s defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL, compared to 24th for Indianapolis.
However, the Broncos have also played a much easier schedule, allowing them to pad those stats and offering more opportunities for consistency.
Anthony Richardson is an X-factor every single week and has one of the widest range of outcomes of any player in the NFL. Denver is a much more consistent group overall, but we saw the chaos that can occur in the matchup against the Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 13.
The metrics say that the Broncos laying less than a touchdown is the play, but this game has the potential to be very tense with a lot on the line.”
