Colts vs Broncos: Vegas Spread Picks and Analysis
By Andrew Ites
The Colts will be underdogs again this week as they have been for much of the year. But should a 4-9 Broncos team ever be favored on the road?
Spread: Broncos favored by 2.5 points
According to Sportsbook Review, Denver comes into Lucas Oil Stadium as 2.5-point favorites on Thursday Night Football even though there are many factors that favor the Colts in this matchup.
Indianapolis has the home-field advantage, which may not be worth the full 3 points as is customary in the NFL because of their disappointing season, but a primetime game should provide a hostile atmosphere for the visiting Broncos who haven’t won a road game all season.
The Colts also have the advantage of being at home on a short week as Denver is forced to cut their preparation short before traveling to Indy.
However, the Broncos are coming off of a blowout win over the Jets, whereas the Colts suffered a heart-breaking overtime loss in a Buffalo blizzard on Sunday.
I think the handicap in this game is pretty simple: don’t lay points with bad teams. If you want some action to begin NFL Week 15, look to take the Colts and the 2.5 points.
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Total: Over/Under 40.5 points
Thursday night’s game features the NFL’s two worst offenses according to Football Outsiders, which helps explain why the total is so low.
The advantage for both teams will be on the defensive side of the ball as Denver comes in with Football Outsiders‘ seventh-ranked overall defense and the Colts are currently ranked tenth in the league against the run.
While the possibility of a defensive touchdown is always in play, this should be a low-scoring game and go under the total of 40.5 points.