Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning Returns to Indy in Week 9
After routing the Green Bay Packers in week eight, the Denver Broncos travel to Indianapolis to face Peyton Manning‘s old team.
The Denver Broncos enter week nine of the NFL season with an unbeaten 7-0 record. Coming off of their best offensive showing against the Packers in week eight, the Broncos amassed over 500 offensive yards in the game, and their defense continues to showcase their great talents, holding Aaron Rodgers to under 100 yards passing for the entire game. Outside of a short rushing touchdown by Eddie Lacy, the Broncos held the Packers’ offense in check.
For the first time in Aaron Rodgers’ career (that he play a game from start to finish), he failed to reach 100 passing yards. The Denver Broncos’ defense is the real deal, and heading into a week nine bout with the Indianapolis Colts, this presents another nice matchup for the Broncos. Amid speculation, the Colts want a change in direction in the head coaching department, with links to Nick Saban and Brian Kelly. With Chuck Pagano’s job in question, the Colts lack a stable environment.
In week eight, Peyton Manning came alive throwing the ball, passing for 340 yards; however, he finished the game with no touchdowns and one interception. Notably, he threw the ball down the field during the game, and he looked good in the process. Outside of week three in Detroit, Manning posted his second-highest quarter back rating (96.9) on the season. As the Denver Broncos travel to Indy, Manning likely builds off of his strong performance against Green Bay.
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If Manning rejuvenates this offense heading into the home-stretch of the season, the Denver Broncos are, undoubtedly, the best team in the NFL and the team to beat. The Indianapolis Colts struggle to protect Andrew Luck, and with the elite Broncos defense on the other side of the ball, expect to see Luck under duress. Also, Luck struggles to protect the ball, and he is among the league-leaders in turnovers on the season. With Aqib Talib and Chris Harris looking to feast off of the pass rush, the duo looks to dominate in the week nine matchup.
Talib is tied for second, with Owen Daniels, on the Denver Broncos’ roster with two touchdowns (as a defender, mind you). Also, the addition of Vernon Davis vaults this offense in a positive direction, because the Broncos struggled to find production out of their tight end position so far this season. With Gary Kubiak wanting to implement two-tight end sets, the addition of Davis proves to be monumental going forward. The Broncos’ offense improves with Davis at tight end, and by basically giving up a sixth-round pick for the two-time Pro Bowl tight end, the Broncos made a smart move.
Next: Vernon Davis: Denver Broncos' Answer at TE?
In addition to the Colts’ offensive line’s woes, their defense struggles to keep points off the board as well. Vontae Davis likely matches up with DeMaryius Thomas this week, so expect Emmanuel Sanders to get a nice bulk of targets. Also, the Colts allow the second-most yards to tight ends per game this season, so although Davis is in his first week with the team, he remains as a viable threat entering week nine. Look for a very capable offense, mixed with an elite defense, to do work against a poor Colts team.