Broncos vs Colts NFL Pick: A Test Game for Both Teams (Sep 14)

• For NFL Week 2 Broncos-Colts, Indianapolis hosts Denver with both teams striving for a 2-0 start
• Daniel Jones was brilliant for Indy in Week 1’s victory over the Dolphins
• Denver struggled in its opener against the Titans, but ultimately pulled out a tight 20-12 victory
• The Broncos are currently favored by 1 point, but that line could move by kickoff

Is This the Start of a Sophomore Slump for Bo Nix?

The Broncos spoon-fed Sean Payton’s complex offense to Bo Nix during Nix’s rookie season in 2024. As the season wore on, they opened it up more and more, made the playoffs, and gained valuable experience for a young team despite getting blown out by the Bills 31-7 in the Wild Card.

Nix threw for 3,775 yards, tossed 29 TD passes, and had only 12 interceptions, which is impressive for a rookie. Now, in year 2 of the Nix era, he’s not sneaking up on anyone, and the expectations in Denver are higher.

In Week 1 against the Titans at home, they outlasted Tennessee 20-12. Nix completed 25 of 40 passes for 176 yards, 1 TD, and 2 interceptions. The Titans’ defense, particularly their secondary, is solid, so it’s too soon to make any judgments on Nix. But it’s something to think about.

The Broncos’ new backfield of RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins had positive performances in Week 1 with a combined 133 yards on 22 carries. Cortland Sutton caught 6 balls for 61 yards and a TD.

Denver sacked Titans’ rookie QB Cam Ward 6 times.

Context Clarity Incoming for the Colts and Daniel Jones

The Giants had such a miserable day in the beating they took from the Commanders that it might have given their fans some solace to see Daniel Jones, the former 1st round draft pick QB the team discarded less than a year ago, and was treated as though he had been the root of their ills, to play poorly in his new home with the Colts.

Unfortunately for them, Jones painted a borderline masterpiece, completing 22 of 29 passes for 272 yards with 1 TD pass. Sacks were a big problem for Jones with the Giants, but Indy protected him adequately. He was sacked once. He also ran for 26 yards on 7 carries.

In short, for one game at least, he was exactly what he was supposed to be when the Giants took him 6th overall out of Duke in the 2019 NFL Draft.

To be fair, the Colts were playing the Dolphins, who are in complete disarray. But the players still need to execute. And execute, the Colts did with a 33-8 walkover.

Star running back Jonathan Taylor rushed for 71 yards on 18 carries and caught 3 balls for 27 yards. Backup running back DJ Giddens ran for 41 yards on 12 carries.

Defensively, the Colts picked off Tua Tagovailoa twice, once by Camryn Bynum, once by Laiatu Latu. Dolphins back De’Von Achane was held to 55 yards on 7 carries and 3 catches for 20 yards. They largely contained the Dolphins’ receivers.

On special teams, journeyman kicker (aren’t they all?) Spencer Schrader was 4 for 4 on field goals and 3 for 3 on extra points.

Of course, the Broncos are not the Dolphins, which is very good for them. They will pressure Jones, and their secondary will not allow Jones to pick them apart. Nor will they be so easy for Taylor to run on.

This will provide a better gauge of whether Jones’ performance against Miami was about him or about the opponent he faced.

Broncos vs Colts Pick

Week 2 Broncos-Colts is an early-season indicator as to what these teams are and how far they can go in a tough conference. It’s far more crucial for the Broncos to get this win than the Colts because of the difficulty of the AFC West compared to the AFC South. The Colts can probably take their division at 9-8. Denver is in a fight to even make the postseason.

Expect Nix to struggle again and for Jones to show that he’s for real with the Colts winning the game outright.