Coming off of their bye week, the Denver Broncos (8-5) are set to host the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) in Week 15 of the regular season. The Colts are also coming off a bye. Though two games in the standings separate the teams, the Colts are the closest team to the Broncos for the final Wild Card spot in the AFC.
If the Broncos are able to win, they will go three games up on the Colts with three games remaining, all but locking up a spot in the playoffs. If the Colts win, the race gets much tighter. That makes this one of the key games on the Week 15 slate.
How do the experts in the media see the game going? Let’s take a look.
NFL Week 15 Expert Picks: Broncos vs. Colts
Bill Bender, The 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, The 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.”
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Broncos 22, Colts 16
Prisco: “This is an enormous game in terms of the playoffs. Both teams are coming off a bye, so no edge there. The Broncos have the better defense, which will be the difference in this one. Look for them to turn over Anthony Richardson as Bo Nix and the Denver offense plays the cleaner game. Broncos win it.”
Bleacher Report: Broncos 26, Colts 20
B/R: “The Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos had an extra week to prepare for this matchup. The Broncos are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the best record ATS (10-3), but the Colts aren’t far behind at 8-5.
Based on the standings, the Colts should go into this game with the thought that their playoff hopes are on the line. So, we could see a spirited effort from a team with its back against the wall.
Also, highly experienced defensive coordinator Gus Bradley may be able to frustrate rookie quarterback Bo Nix.”
Broncos will have firm grasp on Wild Card with win over Colts
The Broncos have not made the playoffs since 2015, the year they won Super Bowl 50. They will inch closer to getting that huge monkey off of their back with a win on Sunday.
These experts see it as a clean sweep for the Broncos. While the Colts will be a game opponent with a dangerous, athletic young quarterback, the Broncos are the better team and have the home-field advantage. They need to get this one in the win column and start making postseason plans.
MORE BRONCOS CONTENT
Broncos sign new linebacker, what does the move mean for Drew Sanders?
Broncos land top star from No. 4 ranked team in nation in latest mock draft
Broncos tied with Ravens, Chargers at 8-5: Predicting last 4 games for each team
NFL Power Rankings: Where do Broncos stand entering Week 15?
Has a Denver Broncos player ever won Offensive Rookie of the Year?
