AFC Divisional: Indianapolis vs Denver Prediction
NFL Divisional round playoff betting action sees the Denver Broncos taking on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Colorado. Stay tuned to Cappers Picks as we provide free NFL handicapping tips all season long.
NFL Odds
Who: Indianapolis Colts (12-5) at Denver Broncos (12-4)
Date: Sunday, January 11, 2014
Time: 4:40 p.m. ET
Venue: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
City: Denver Colorado
NFL O/U Betting Lines: 54
NFL Point Spread: Broncos -7
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning spent the first 14 years of his NFL career with the Colts before leaving after the 2011 season, a year he missed after undergoing multiple surgical procedures on his neck.
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Manning and his Broncos had a week off to prepare for what will be his third meeting with his former club.
The last time Denver took the field, it routed the Oakland Raiders by a score of 47-14. Heading into that matchup, the Broncos put 22 players on the injury report, so the week off will surely do those players some good.
Manning’s play down the stretch wasn’t what we’re used to seeing from him, though.
Over the final four games of the regular season, Manning posted a quarterback rating of 76.8 with three touchdowns and six interceptions, averaging 247.5 yards per game.
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Meanwhile, his counterpart in this one, Andrew Luck, led the NFL with a career-high 40 touchdown passes.
Free Colts vs. Denver Pick:
The teams played over the total in each of the first two meetings between the franchises since Peyton Manning made his move from Indianapolis to Denver. The first came last season, when the Broncos fell to the Colts by a score of 39-33.
That meeting took place in Indianapolis. The second came this past season when the Broncos downed the Colts at home by a score of 31-24.
While those games both played over the total, there’s been a shift in style for both of these squads. Manning and Andrew Luck will dominate the headlines, but they won’t have as big an impact on this matchup as many anticipate.
The Colts’ offense has settled down some, leaning more on their running game with the emergence of Daniel Herron.
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The same has occurred with the Broncos to more of an extreme, with C.J. Anderson lending the team a true power running threat, moving the ball effectively on the ground.
NFL Betting Trends:
- The under is 4-0 in the Colts’ last four games following a win, and it is 4-1 in the Broncos’ last five games following a win.
- The under is 5-0 in the Colts’ last five games overall, and it is 4-0 in their last four games against an opponents with a winning record.
- The under is 6-1 in the Colts’ last seven road playoff games, and it is 5-0 in their last five games against AFC opponents.
4* NFL Free Playoff play: Under 54
That’s also helped the Broncos’ defense to step up its game as the new faces introduced to the group have finally gotten acclimated to defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio’s system.
Check out our Updated NFL Playoff Odds.
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