Game of the Day: Colts at Broncos
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos (-8.5, 54)
One of the main reasons Peyton Manning wound up in Denver will be on the opposing sideline when the Broncos kick off their season with a prime-time matchup against Andrew Luck and the visiting Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night. Manning has restored the luster to Denver after he was released in 2012 following neck surgery that caused him to miss the previous season. The league's only five-time MVP led the Broncos to consecutive 13-3 campaigns and a Super Bowl berth last season.
Luck has lived up to his billing as the No. 1 overall pick, guiding Indianapolis to back-to-back 11-win seasons and a pair of postseason appearances, but he dismisses talk of being mentioned as a worthy successor to Manning. "To be honest, even since Day 1 here, it hasn't been an issue. I never came in saying, 'Oh, I have to replace a legend, one of the greatest of all-time,'" Luck said. Colts owner Jim Irsay, who made the decision to jettison Manning in order to draft Luck, will not be in attendance as he serves the first contest of a six-game suspension for violating the league's personal-conduct policy.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
LINE HISTORY: The Westgate LV Superbook opened the Broncos as 7-point home faves back in July, but that has moved to -8.5. The book opened the total at 55.5, which moved to 56 briefly, before down to 54.
INJURY REPORT: Colts - WR Reggie Wayne (Probable, knee), LB Erik Walden (Questionable, abdominal), LB Robert Mathis (Eligibible Week 5, suspension). Broncos - WR Wes Welker (Eligible Week 6,
suspension).
WEATHER REPORT: Forecasts call for temperatures in the low-80s and high-70s and a 10 percent chance of rain throughout the game. Wind will blow toward the north endzone at 4 mph.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Colts (+2.25) + Broncos (-3.5) + home field (-3.0) = Broncos -8.75
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Colts are ranked as low as they are because they have been outgained in yardage each of the last two years but an easy schedule can reverse that. Indianapolis is 0-6 ATS in their last six season openers but has covered six straight vs. Denver. Peyton Manning will be out for revenge after losing to his former team last season. Denver is 16-5 ATS in its last 21 games as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points, while going 8-0 Over first 8 games last season." Covers Expert Matt Fargo
ABOUT THE COLTS (2013: 11-5, 10-6 ATS, 8-8 O/U, 1st AFC South): Luck has tossed 23 scoring passes in each of his first two years and added to his burgeoning legend as the master of the comeback by rallying Indianapolis from 28 points down in a playoff victory over Kansas City last season. He will have a potent receiving corps with the signing of Hakeem Nicks and the return from injury of veteran Reggie Wayne to join T.Y. Hilton, who blossomed last season with 82 catches for 1,083 yards. The Colts made a bold move last season by trading a No. 1 draft pick for running back Trent Richardson, but he flamed out and averaged only 2.9 yards per carry. Indy's defense will face an added burden against Manning due to the absence of linebacker Robert Mathis, who is serving a four-game suspension after leading the league with 19.5 sacks last season.
ABOUT THE BRONCOS (2013: 13-3, 10-5-1 ATS, 11-5 O/U, 1st AFC West): Denver was a juggernaut last season, becoming the first team in league history to feature five players with at least 10 touchdowns and setting an NFL record with 606 points. Manning shattered single-season league marks with 55 touchdown passes and 5,477 yards, but he'll have to get used to a different cast of characters with the free-agent departures of wide receiver Eric Decker and running back Knowshon Moreno along with a four-game suspension to wideout Wes Welker for violating the substance-abuse policy. The cupboard is hardly bare, with Demaryius Thomas coming off consecutive 1,400-yard receiving seasons and tight end Julius Thomas hauling in 12 TD passes. Montee Ball takes over for Moreno but the biggest changes come on defense with the additions of sack specialist DeMarcus Ware and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward.
TRENDS:
* Colts are 6-0 ATS in their last six meetings.
* Over is 7-1 in the last eight meetings.
* Colts are 0-6 ATS in their last six games in Week 1.
* Over is 4-0 in Broncos last 4 games in September.
COVERS CONSENSUS: According to Covers Consensus, 61.68 percent of wagers are backing the Broncos.