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Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts odds, picks and predictions
By Kevin Erickson,
4 hours ago
The Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts open their preseasons at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (NFL Network/NFL+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Broncos vs. Coltsodds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
The new-look Broncos will have QB Jarrett Stidham under center to start against a Colts defense, which is expected to use their starters. Newcomer QB Zach Wilson and 1st-round draft pick QB Bo Nix are also expected to see action.
The Broncos will welcome back WR Tim Patrick, as he has missed back-to-back seasons due to ugly injuries. The team plans to also see plenty of action from free-agent addition WR Josh Reynolds, as well as WRs Marvin Mims and rookie Troy Franklin.
The Colts announced they plan to play starters, including QB Anthony Richardson. He hasn’t played in nearly 10 months due to a season-ending shoulder injury suffered early last season. While Richardson is playing, head coach Shane Steichen has been adamant that starters will play just a series or 2.
Denver went 1-2 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) in the preseason in 2023, with the Over going 2-1. The Over is 4-2 in the past 2 preseasons for the Broncos.
For Indianapolis, it was 2-1 SU/ATS in the preseason in 2023, with the Over going 3-0. The Colts are 7-1-1 ATS in the past 3 preseasons, with the Over going 7-2.
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Moneyline (ML): Broncos +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Colts -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Broncos +1.5 (-105) | Colts -1.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 38.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Broncos at Colts picks and predictions
Prediction
Broncos 23, Colts 19
The BRONCOS (+110) are worth a look as the slight underdogs.
Stidham and the Denver offense likely won’t have to contend with the Colts’ (-135) starting defense for much more than a series or so. Once Stidham is out of the game, things won’t change much with Wilson and/or Nix coming on against the defensive reserves.
The Colts also have QB Joe Flacco to come on once Richardson is done, while QBs Sam Ehlinger and Kedon Slovis battle for QB3. This has the potential to be a surprising and exciting game.
Backing the Broncos +1.5 (-120) makes very little sense unless you’re absolutely convinced the Colts -1.5 (+100) will win, but only by a single point. If you like Denver, just bet it straight up for a better value.
PASS.
OVER 38.5 (-105) is a solid play, as this game features plenty of depth under center. The offenses should look rather efficient all throughout the game.
The Broncos will likely use Stidham, Wilson and Nix, while the Colts are expected to use Richardson for a series or 2, before Flacco gets into the game. The 2nd half is likely going to see a heavy dose of Ehlinger, while Slovis could also see action.
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