Elway said Osweiler will be the Broncos backup quarterback until Paxton Lynch returns from a sprained throwing shoulder in a month or more.

The previous time Osweiler was a Bronco, he was ahead of Trevor Siemian on the depth chart and served as Peyton Manning’s understudy. But he bolted to Houston in free agency after Manning retired and Siemian rose to the top of the depth chart.

Siemian beat out Lynch again this summer and Lynch got hurt in the third preseason game, necessitating Denver’s search for a veteran QB.

The Broncos cut rookie camp sensation Kyle Sloter and tried to re-sign him to their practice squad Sunday, but Sloter instead signed with the Vikings for a $20,000-a-week practice squad paycheck.

The Broncos are only on the hook for $775,000 of Osweiler’s salary this season with the Browns paying the other $15.25 million.

—

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

The post Brock Osweiler passes physical, returns to Denver Broncos appeared first on IdealCapper.

”There’s 32 of these jobs, and to think that you’re doing one of them is the greatest feeling in the world. I’ll say this: At this place, this is the best job in America,” Kubiak said this week, ”because the people you’ve got helping you on a daily basis are second to none.”

Several factors can be considered when rating which of the six head-coaching vacancies around the league is the most – or least – worth wanting. Those include roster quality, especially at quarterback; how helpful and patient ownership is; competence of the general manager; competitiveness of the division.

Among the potential candidates for these positions are top offensive minds (Josh McDaniels, Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay), defensive experts (Matt Patricia, Teryl Austin) and folks who’ve been around before (Tom Coughlin, Mike Smith).

If one had his choice of landing spots, which should he pick? Here is one analysis of the current NFL openings, in order of desirability:

—

DENVER BRONCOS (2016 record: 9-7)

Why it’s a good gig: By far the best job available. One side of the ball is set, thanks to linebacker Von Miller and the rest of a topflight defense that led the club to the title not that long ago and was superb again this season. There’s considerable talent on the roster, a winning environment, a real home-field advantage, a GM (John Elway) who knows what he’s doing, and a willingness to do – and spend – what it takes to succeed.

Why it’s a bad gig: There is no established quarterback – Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch have a combined 16 pro starts – and the AFC West might just be the league’s toughest division.

What was said: ”This is a great place to work, but the expectations are high. … Everybody that comes here, as a coach or as a player, understands that the standard is to have to be able to compete for world championships.” – Elway.

—

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-13)

Why it’s a good gig: There’s a big drop-off from Denver to the rest of the bunch, but Jacksonville ranks No. 2, primarily because of an up-and-coming defense and relatively patient ownership, plus plenty of room under the cap to bring in help. Doesn’t hurt to be in the deeply flawed AFC South, either, meaning a playoff berth is never far out of reach.

Why it’s a bad gig: Not clear that Blake Bortles is a long-term solution at quarterback and, as of now, it appears the franchise could be stuck with him for at least another season.

What was said: ”Whoever the new head coach is, I totally understand that he’s going to play at quarterback who he wants to play at quarterback, and I have no problem with that.” – Bortles.

—

LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-12)

Why it’s a good gig: Thanks mainly to Aaron Donald, the defense is respectable. Sophomore slump aside, Todd Gurley looks like the real deal at running back. There’s also a young QB drafted No. 1 overall, Jared Goff, to work with. And if you’re a coach who wants to ”go Hollywood,” well, here’s a place you truly can.

Why it’s a bad gig: Something’s amiss when a coach gets fired within days of word leaking out that he received an extension a while ago. Oh, and there’s the not-so-little matter of 12 consecutive seasons without making the playoffs.

What was said: ”With the talent we’ve got, we shouldn’t be where we’re at, as far as the record and the way we’ve been losing.” – Donald.

—

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-11)

Why it’s a good gig: There’s quality at QB (in the short term, anyway, because Philip Rivers is 35), RB (Melvin Gordon) and DE (Joey Bosa). And, hey, can’t beat the weather, right?

Why it’s a bad gig: The uncertainty over whether the team will be in San Diego or LA is only one manifestation of the club’s long-standing lack of direction. Ownership is known for hiring coaches on the cheap, and the Chargers have made nine playoff appearances in 33 years.

What was said: ”You’re looking for a leader. It’s not always just about the X’s and O’s.” – GM Tom Telesco, on what he wants in a coach.

—

BUFFALO BILLS (7-9)

Why it’s a good gig: Some pieces of the puzzle are in place, including WR Sammy Watkins and RB LeSean McCoy. Not a lot else, though.

Why it’s a bad gig: Start with two names – Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The Bills are basically playing for second place, at best, behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East, although even that doesn’t account for why they have gone 17 seasons without reaching the playoffs. That drought is unfathomable in today’s everyone-has-a-chance NFL. One example of the problems: GM Doug Whaley had no input in the decision to fire coach Rex Ryan.

What was said: ”We’re searching for that coach that can be here for 10-15 years.” – Whaley.

—

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-14)

Why it’s a good gig: Hmmmm. San Francisco’s a terrific city? The new stadium? Nowhere to go but up?

Why it’s a bad gig: A lengthy list, from the lack of a QB, to a woeful defense, to general dysfunction and impatience of an organization that dismissed three head coaches and a GM over the past three seasons. Things are so bad that team CEO Jed York was asked at a news conference why he shouldn’t be dismissed or reassigned.

What was said: ”I own this football team. You don’t dismiss owners. I’m sorry that that’s the facts and that’s the case, but that’s the fact.” – York.

—

Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

—

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

The post AP Analysis: Good, bad of each current NFL coaching vacancy appeared first on IdealCapper.

New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, December 18, 2016
Where: Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colorado

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Patriots -3.
O/U: 43.5
PREDICTION: Broncos 23, Patriots 22

Oddsmakers currently have the Patriots listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Broncos, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.

DENVER — With their playoff fate hanging in the balance, the Denver Broncos face make-or-break games in the last three weeks of the regular season, starting Sunday against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS).

The defending Super Bowl champions, the Broncos (8-5) enter the game as the sixth (and final) seed in the AFC, but the Miami Dolphins are also 8-5 and could overtake the Broncos if tiebreakers shift in their favor. Three more AFC teams have seven wins apiece.

“We’re going to have to play exceptional from here on, especially this week,” said Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who added that he viewed New England as “the best team in football.”

The Patriots (11-2) enter the game with the best record in the AFC. They are no strangers when it comes to playing the Broncos, whom they faced 13 times in the past 12 years. Four of those meetings came in the postseason, including last season’s AFC Championship Game, which Denver took en route to its Super Bowl triumph over the Carolina Panthers.

However, Denver is treading an uncertain path in its title defense. The Broncos lost two of their past three games, and they face a brutal stretch in the final three weeks of the season.

After playing New England, the Broncos face a Christmas night meeting with the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs followed by a New Year’s Day regular-season finale against the Oakland Raiders. Each of Denver’s three closing opponents has at least 10 wins.

“I don’t care who we play,” Broncos safety T.J. Ward said. “We need to win these next three games. We’ve been in some tough games and come out on top, and we’ve been on the bottom of some tough games. We’ve played two of the teams already (the Chiefs and Raiders). One game was close. One was not. Divisional games are always tough. The Patriots are almost a divisional game. … It’s another great challenge with Brady coming up.”

The Broncos’ struggles are most noticeable on the offensive side of the ball, particularly in the running game, where they are having difficulty establishing a consistent threat since the early-season injury loss of C.J. Anderson.

Trevor Siemian, in his first year as the Broncos’ starting quarterback after the retirement of Peyton Manning, is showing promise as a passer, helped by playmaking wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

“You look at the production the couple of years together in Denver, I don’t know if you’ll find a pair of receivers better than them,” Patriots safety Devin McCourty said of Thomas and Sanders.

Even so, the lack of offensive balance is causing the offense to sputter — especially early. Denver has been outscored 70-23 in the first quarter this season.

With the offense having trouble moving the chains, the Broncos’ vaunted defense has been on the field for longer periods and under more sustained pressure. In Denver’s loss last week at Tennessee, the Titans ran roughshod, gaining 180 yards on the ground. Even though the Titans had a tough time moving the ball through the air, their rushing attack more than made up the difference.

The Patriots, meanwhile, are riding a wave of momentum behind the streaking Brady, who has 22 touchdown passes and just two interceptions in nine games. He missed the first four games of the season while serving a league-imposed, four-game suspension for the “Deflategate” controversy.

“He’s (effective) day in and day out,” McCourty said of Brady. “Practice can go like that when he gets going, so it’s not new to us. We see it all the time.”

McCourty won’t get any argument on Brady from the Broncos.

“He is the best quarterback in the league,” said Denver cornerback Aqib Talib, a former member of the Patriots.

There is no question the Broncos’ defense will again try to zero in on Brady, who was sacked five times and hit on numerous other occasions in Denver’s AFC title-game win last January.

The Patriots will keep a keen eye on pass-rushing linebacker Von Miller, who made life miserable for Brady in the teams’ last meeting.

“He’s a very hard guy to block,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “He can do a lot of things. He’s explosive. He’s fast. He’s quick and he can play with power. Even when you get him blocked, he doesn’t stay blocked. He’s got the ability to separate. He’s an outstanding player.”

The Broncos are dealing with injuries among their corps of linebackers. Brandon Marshall (hamstring) missed last week’s game and remains a question mark for the Patriots game. Fellow linebacker Todd Davis missed practice time this week because of an oblique injury.

Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola is questionable this week because of an ankle injury. Tight end Martellus Bennett also had some restrictions in practice this week because of ankle and shoulder issues, as did cornerback Malcolm Butler (hip) and safety Jordan Richards (knee).

The post New England vs. Denver Odds & Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Denver Broncos vs. Tennessee Titans
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 11, 2016
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Titans -1. O/U: 43.5
PREDICTION: Titans 24, Broncos 20

Oddsmakers currently have the Titans listed as 1-point favorites versus the Broncos, while the game’s total is sitting at 43½.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (8-4): If Siemian is unable to play, Paxton Lynch will make his second straight start Sunday. The 22-year-old rookie out of Memphis didn’t exactly light it up against Jacksonville last week, completing 12-of-24 passes for 104 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Linebacker Von Miller leads the league with 12.5 sacks and needs 2.5 against Tennessee to tie Bruce Smith as the third-fastest to reach 75 in his career by doing so in his 85th game.

Denver Stats:
Team record: 8-4 SU,8-4 ATS
Denver is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games
Denver is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Denver’s last 9 games

ABOUT THE TITANS (6-6): DeMarco Murray, who is second in the league with 1,043 rushing yards, hopes to have a big game against Denver after using the bye week to heal his sore toe. “It’s feeling a lot better,” he told the team’s website on Thursday. “It’s good to get two practices in a row. (The bye) helped a lot. I think it helped a lot of people late in the season.” Defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, who hasn’t seen action since suffering a sprained foot on Nov. 27, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but expects to play against the Broncos.

Tennessee won its last outing, a 27-21 result against the Bears on November 27. The Titans failed to cover in that game as a -6.5-point favorite, while the 48 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Tennessee Stats:
Team record: 6-6 SU,4-8 ATS
Tennessee is 4-15-1 ATS in its last 20 games
Tennessee is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tennessee’s last 9 games

EXTRA POINTS
1. Titans QB Marcus Mariota has thrown multiple touchdown passes in eight consecutive games.
2. Denver claimed Justin Forsett off waivers from Detroit and placed fellow RB Kapri Bibbs on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain.
3. Tennessee placed Kevin Dodd (foot) on injured reserve and signed fellow LB Justin Staples from the practice squad.

The post Denver vs. Tennessee Odds & Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos
When: 11/27/2016 8:30 PM
Where: Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colorado

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
LINE: Broncos -3.5. O/U: 39.5
PREDICTION: Broncos 26, Chiefs 20

Oddsmakers currently have the Broncos listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Chiefs, while the game’s total is sitting at 39.

Ahead of Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Denver Broncos were treated to a vivid image of their championship past and a fresh reminder of what’s at stake as they embark on the closing stretch of the season.

On display in the team’s locker room this week, for all the players to see, where the three Lombardi trophies the Broncos have won, including the one from last season, when they defeated the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl.

“It’s great to see what you’re working towards,” said Broncos safety T.J. Ward, a member of last season’s title team. “It’s great to see it in front of you rather than a picture. It’s here in the flesh for guys who didn’t get a chance to hold it last year. It’s just a reminder. I hope it motivates other players. It’s just a good thing to have in the locker room.”

Coach Gary Kubiak thought so to, especially with the Broncos gearing up to face the Chiefs, with whom they are tied for second in the AFC West at 7-3, a game behind the division leading Oakland Raiders.

“It’s a new year and a new battle,” Kubiak said. “I think this team is really excited: the coaches, the organization, everybody. We’re there with six weeks to play. We have a lot of big football games to play in. That’s why we do what we do. We’re all excited. You can feel it around here.”

So can the Chiefs, who are in the thick of the chase for a playoff berth as well. The game between the division rivals, originally scheduled in the afternoon, was flexed to a prime-time matchup.

“I don’t think you could make it any bigger or more intense than it already is,” Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith told reporters. “The way the division has gone to this point, it’s already pretty tight.

“This is our first ‘crack’ at these guys and they’re the defending Super Bowl champions. We’ve been in a lot of battles with these guys over the years and the fact that it got moved to the Sunday Night game, it’ll be under the lights and we understand that. It’ll be fun. I don’t think it could be any more intense than it already is.”

As it did last season, Denver has leaned on its staunch defense to get the best of opposing teams. But the offense has shown progress in its bid to achieve greater balance in the run and pass games under the direction of quarterback Trevor Siemian, whose seven wins are the second most by a Broncos quarterback in his first nine career starts in team history.

“He hasn’t had that much consistency,” Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said. “He’s not very tall in the pocket, but somehow he is still making all the throws he needs to make. So hats off to that. You’d think a shorter guy like him — he’s not crazy short, but I think he should have some problems seeing back there, and he’s pretty comfortable back there. Hopefully, we can make him uncomfortable. That’s our plan.”

The Broncos, coming off a bye, have had a chance to heal up going into their first meeting of the season with the Chiefs, who were upset last week by Tampa Bay.

Fullback Andy Janovich had the cast protecting a broken hand removed during the bye week, which should help restore him as a receiving threat as well as aid in his lead blocking for the running game and blitz protection on passing downs.

Defensive end Derek Wolfe returned to practice this week after missing the Broncos’ win at New Orleans two weeks ago with an elbow injury, and cornerback Aqib Talib, sidelined since Oct. 24 with a lower back problem, also resumed practicing and could be ready to face the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have their share of injuries to contend with, though Johnson is expected to play despite dealing with some soreness in his Achilles tendon.

The availability of wide receiver Jeremy Macin (groin), linebacker Dee Ford (hamstring), defensive tackle Dontari Pope (back), and running Charcandrick West (concussion) remains undertain, however.

Cornerback Marcus Peters (hip) and linebacker Tamba Hali (knee) also had some limitations in practice in the days leading up to the game.

The post Kansas City vs. Denver Odds & Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos
When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, October 24, 2016
Where: Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colorado
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
LINE: Broncos -9. O/U: 40.5
PREDICTION: Broncos 26, Texans 16

Oddsmakers currently have the Broncos listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Texans, while the game’s total is sitting at 41½.

Defense carried Denver to the Super Bowl title last season and it ranks No. 1 in yards against the pass (182.3) and in sacks (21), but the running game is struggling to get untracked. Lead back C.J. Anderson has failed to rush for 50 yards in four consecutive games and is starting to lose touches to rookie Devontae Booker. Siemian, who suffered a shoulder injury in Week 4 that caused him to miss one game, has not been picked off since Week 2 and has a pair of top wideouts in Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas, who have combined for 67 receptions and six touchdowns. The Broncos were a 21-13 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Chargers. They failed to cover the -3-point spread as favorites, while the total score (34) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Team record: 4-2 SU,4-2 ATS
Denver is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Denver is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Denver’s last 9 games

Osweiler’s numbers were nondescript at best through much of the first six games, but he tossed a pair of touchdowns in the final 2:37 of regulation to spark a comeback in Houston’s 26-23 overtime win over Indianapolis last weekend. Running back Lamar Miller, also a marquee free-agent signing in the offseason, is coming off his best game by rushing for 149 yards and scoring his first two touchdowns — one on the ground and one receiving. Star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had a season-high nine receptions against the Colts, but his longest catch went for only 12 yards. Houston won its last outing, a 26-23 result against the Colts on October 16. The Texans earned a push in that game as a -3-point favorite, while the 49 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 4-2 SU,3-2-1 ATS
Houston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Houston is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston’s last 9 games on the road

The post Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos Odds & Prediction appeared first on IdealCapper.

Denver at Kansas City
When: 8:25 PM ET, Thursday, September 17, 2015
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: 8:25 p.m. ET, CBS, NFL Network.
LINE: Chiefs -3. O/U: 42
PREDICTION: Chiefs 20, Broncos 17
Join BetOnline and get up to $1,000 BONUS

Oddsmakers currently have the Chiefs listed as 3-point favorites versus the Broncos, while the game’s total is sitting at 42.

Smith has been typecast as a game manager but he got a vote of confidence – “Alex was on the money all day” – from tight end Travis Kelce, who had a huge opening game with six catches for 106 yards and a pair of scores. Running back Jamaal Charles had a relative quiet season debut with 57 yards rushing while matching newcomer Jeremy Maclin with five catches, but he has scored 15 touchdowns in his last 14 games overall. Kansas City yielded an AFC-low 281 points last season and received a boost with the return of linebacker Derrick Johnson, who registered a team-high eight tackles in his first game back after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Kansas City won its last outing, a 27-20 result against the Texans on September 13. The Chiefs covered in that game as a -1-point favorite, while the 47 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 1-0 SU,1-0 ATS
Kansas City is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games
Kansas City is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Kansas City’s last 13 games
Kansas City is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home

Manning’s arm strength, or lack thereof, has been a hot-button topic throughout the preseason and he finished with only 175 yards without a scoring pass in the opener, but he has thrown for 1,736 yards with 16 TDs versus three interceptions in six meetings against the Chiefs since joining Denver. C.J. Anderson was limited to 29 yards on 12 carries while dealing with a sprained toe, but he was at practice Tuesday night along with star wideout Demaryius Thomas, who suffered a hand injury versus Baltimore. The Broncos’ defense, which produced the lone touchdown in Week 1 on Aqib Talib’s interception return, limited the Ravens to only 173 total yards.

Last time out for Denver, they were a 19-13 winner as they battled the Ravens at home. The Broncos covered in the match as a -4.5-point favorite, while 32 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Team record: 1-0 SU,1-0 ATS
Denver is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver’s last 7 games
Denver is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Kansas City

The post Denver vs. Kansas City Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

Baltimore at Denver
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, September 13, 2015
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: BRONCOS -4.5. O/U: 49
PREDICTION: Broncos 27, Ravens 17
Join BetOnline and get up to $1,000 BONUS

Oddsmakers currently have the Broncos listed as 4-point favorites versus the Ravens, while the game’s total is sitting at 52.

An argument against Denver playing conservatively rests in both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, who posted career seasons in 2014. Thomas enjoyed personal bests in receptions (111), targets (184) and yards (1,619) while his 11 touchdowns fell shy of his career-high 14 in 2013. Sanders celebrated quite an uptick in production from his days in Pittsburgh, reeling in 101 catches for 1,404 yards and nine touchdowns while Owen Daniels carries a bond with Kubiak from Baltimore to replace fellow tight end Julius Thomas (Jacksonville).

Denver lost its last outing, a 24-13 result against the Colts on January 11. The Broncos failed to cover in that game as a -9.5-point favorite, while the 37 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 12-5 SU,8-9 ATS
Denver is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver’s last 6 games
Denver is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver’s last 7 games at home

Joe Flacco (3,986 yards, 27 TDs) saw free-agent wideout Torrey Smith head to San Francisco in the offseason while first-round selection Breshad Perriman already has been ruled out of Sunday’s tilt with a sprained right knee. Flacco still has grizzled veteran Steve Smith (79 receptions, 1,065 yards, six touchdowns), who believes he has more left in the tank as he enters his 15th season. Journeyman running back Justin Forsett found a home in the wake of the Ray Rice saga, rushing for a career-high 1,266 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2014.

Last time out for Baltimore, they were a 35-31 loser as they battled the Patriots on the road. The Ravens covered in the match as a +7-point underdog, while 66 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Team record: 11-7 SU,10-8 ATS
Baltimore is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 6 games
Baltimore is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Baltimore is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Denver

The post Baltimore vs. Denver Betting Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

Indianapolis at Denver
When: 4:40 PM ET, Sunday, January 11, 2015
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
TV: 4:40 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Broncos -7. O/U: 54
PREDICTION: Broncos 34, Colts 26
Join BetOnline and get up to $1,000 BONUS

Oddsmakers currently have the Broncos listed as 7-point favorites versus the Colts, while the game’s total is sitting at 53.

Unlike last season, when Manning threw a record-setting 55 touchdowns and 5,477 yards, the Broncos have relied on the legs of C.J. Anderson down the stretch. Anderson took over the starter midway through the season and finished with 849 yards while scoring an NFL-best seven touchdowns in December, giving Denver a complement to a high-powered passing game featuring Demaryius Thomas (1,619 yards, 11 TDs) and Emmanuel Sanders (1,404, nine TDs), who combined for 212 catches. Manning still put up stellar numbers, throwing for 4,727 yards with 39 TDs and 15 interceptions, but he had twice as many picks (six) as scoring passes (four) over the final four games. The Broncos ranked second in the league, permitting 79.8 yards rushing per game.

Denver was a 47-14 winner in its last match at home against the Raiders. They covered the -15.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 61 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 12-4 SU,8-8 ATS
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Denver’s last 13 games
Denver is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

Indianapolis, the fourth seed after winning the AFC South title, opened the playoffs with a 26-10 home victory over Cincinnati as Luck threw for 376 yards and a touchdown. Luck led the NFL with 40 touchdown passes while throwing for 4,761 yards and will continue to look for wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, who had six catches for 103 yards last week and has amassed 496 receiving yards in his first four postseason games – the second-highest total in league history (Larry Fitzgerald, 546). Daniel Herron rushed for 56 yards and caught 10 passes for 85 yards, but also committed a pair of fumbles. Indy limited the Bengals to 254 total yards but permitted at least 31 points in half its eight road games.

Indianapolis won its last outing, a 26-10 result against the Bengals on January 4. The Colts covered in that game as a -4-point favorite, while the 36 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 12-5 SU,11-5-1 ATS
Indianapolis is 15-6-1 ATS in its last 22 games
Indianapolis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indianapolis’s last 5 games
Indianapolis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road

The post Indianapolis vs. Denver Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

Peyton Manning gets to face his former team and his successor after Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts beat Cincinnati in the wild-card round Sunday.

They met last year in Indianapolis when Manning’s emotions and the Colts both got the best of him in his homecoming.

Manning won’t get caught up in the hype of the marquee matchup this time, suggested Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. He pointed to his quarterback’s coolness in this season opener when Denver beat Indy 31-24.

”We had them the first game of the season and he was fine,” Thomas said. ”It’s a playoff game so it’s a little bit different because if you lose, you’re done and if you win, you keep going. I can’t really talk for Peyton, but I think he’s fine.”

DeMarcus Ware said he was especially appreciative for the Broncos’ bye, which they earned as the AFC’s No. 2 seed, when he saw it was Luck whom he’ll be facing next weekend.

Luck has an uncanny knack for comebacks even when things look bleak such as in last year’s playoffs when he guided the Colts back from a 28-point deficit to Kansas City.

The Broncos jumped out to a 24-0 lead on the Colts in this season’s opener. But Luck led a frenetic rally that came up short when rookie Bradley Roby broke up a fourth-and-6 pass to Reggie Wayne in the final minute to secure Denver’s 31-24 win.

”He’s one of those guys that you have to play a 60-minute game against,” Ware said. ”He has really good pocket awareness. He’s always one of those guys, just like Peyton, where he hits the open guy the majority of the time. He plays a fundamentally sound game.

”He’s one of those quarterbacks you don’t want to go against, but the thing is you’ve got to make sure you get pressure on him and make them one-dimensional.”

Four months have passed since the Colts (12-5) and Broncos (12-4) saw each other, but Ware stressed ”it’s still the same quarterback,” so ”I think you’ve got to go back and see what you did well. You’ve also got to see how and where you didn’t play well and make sure those things are corrected.”

Thomas figures to cringe when he watches the film.

With Wes Welker serving a two-game suspension, Thomas played the slot and caught four passes for 48 yards with a couple of huge drops that night.

Once Welker returned, Thomas went back outside and had another stellar season that included a franchise-best 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns.

”It’s great” having Welker back, Thomas said. ”I tried to play the slot and it wasn’t for me that early in the season. Having him back is good because he is one of the best that does it and having him, you never know what defense they will play because they will have to watch everybody.

”Hopefully we will have Julius (Thomas) there healthy. It’s good to have Wes back and I can be back outside and try to do my best to play my best for the team and have a big impact on the game.”

Julius Thomas got off to a sizzling start with three TDs against Indy in the opener and a dozen by Week 10. But he hasn’t reached the end zone since spraining his left ankle Nov. 16.

After one score, microphones caught him screaming, ”It’s so easy!”

A healthy Julius Thomas could be a tremendous help for the Broncos in the playoffs – that’s one reason the bye week was such a big deal to them.

”It was big to get this week out of the way with some rest and now get back to business,” Demaryius Thomas said. ”Some guys are feeling better. That is the benefit of having a bye week off. It was real big.”

The bye also gave Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward (neck) and top tackler Brandon Marshall (foot) more time to get healthy.

That’s ”something that we need,” Ware said. ”Especially just from a leadership standpoint but also having guys come back that are big playmakers for us.”

—

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

The post It’ll be Manning vs. Luck III when Colts visit Broncos next appeared first on IdealCapper.