NFL Week 1 Preview: Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos
By Andrew Dill
Oct 20, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in the first quarter during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The time has come. The National Football League season is underway as the Indianapolis Colts will travel to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Broncos in the regular season opener.
What: NFL Week 1 Preview: Colts vs. Broncos.
When: Sunday. September 7th.
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado.
Time: 8:30 PM EST, 6:30 PM MST.
TV: NBC
The Denver Broncos faced a bit of adversity and a bump in the road this past week as wide receiver Wes Welker was suspended for four-games due to a banned substance. Now, Cody Latimer and Andre Caldwell will likely see increased playing-time on the outside if Denver elects to slide Emmanuel Sanders to the slot. Don’t forget about utilizing Jacob Tamme in the slot either.
The Broncos won’t have to worry about Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis this Sunday. The star pass-rusher was suspended four games prior to camp after violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. If you remember, Mathis was a force in last year’s meeting at Lucas Oil Stadium. He would finish the game with five total tackles, three solo, one tackle for a loss, and two sacks.
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Denver’s defense looks revamped and better than ever. After suffering a gruesome defeat in Super Bowl 48, Denver loaded up on tremendous talent; not to mention players such as Von Miller, Derek Wolfe, Chris Harris Jr., and Rahim Moore are returning from injury.
John Elway went out and got three Pro-Bowl caliber players; T.J. Ward, DeMarcus Ware, and Aqib Talib. Those three solidify the needs Denver was desperately looking for. Adding another pass rusher in Ware on the opposite of Miller is a scary sight for opposing quarterbacks which Andrew Luck will have to deal with Sunday night.
Speaking of Andrew Luck, he looks to take one more step forward in his development. The 24-year-old quarterback out of Stanford led his Colts to the playoffs, passing for 3,822 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just 9 interceptions. Luck will be getting a key receiver back in Reggie Wayne who tore his ACL in week seven against the Denver Broncos.
Denver lost Eric Decker to free agency this past offseason but John Elway made sure to get a solid replacement. Denver signed former Pittsburgh Steeler Emmanuel Sanders to a 3-year deal to fill the void and also drafted a wide receiver in the second-round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the name of Cody Latimer. Both are extremely talented players and have made the wide receiver position much deeper than year’s past.
Denver also let running back Knowshon Moreno walk and handed over the starting reigns to Montee Ball. Ball will be backed up by a combination of Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson; Juwan Thompson could get a look down the line if an injury occurs.
Bovada currently has the Broncos as 7 1/2 point favorites over the Colts as of Wednesday.