Fansided

Predictions for the NFL Divisional Playoff games

By James Simpson II

Dec 22, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) passes the ball during the second half against the against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) passes the ball during the second half against the against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 Indianapolis Colts (11-5) at No. 2 Denver Broncos (12-4)
Sunday January 11, 2015 4:30 pm on CBS

This one should be fun. An all-time great quarterback going against a future all-time great quarterback in Andrew Luck. Peyton playing against the franchise he helped lead to a Super Bowl in 2006. Two of the best offenses in football clashing. Luck vs Manning will be the topic of discussion leading up to the game (which it ought to be), but the real subject matter should come down to which defense has the best chance of slowing down the others offense.

The answer to that is Denver’s D. The Colts defense is inconsistent and erratic at best ranking 12th against the pass, 18th against the run, and lack any elite defensive players. The Broncos on the other hand are one of three teams this season (the Seahawks and 49ers are the others) to rank in the top 10 in both pass defense (9th) and run defense (2nd) and the Broncos clearly have the higher-level defensive talent compared to the Colts with players like linebackers Brandon Marshall, Von Miller, Nate Irving, defensive linemen DeMarcus Ware and Terrance Knighton, and defensive backs Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, Rahim Moore, and Chris Harris Jr. The Broncos defense is by far an upgrade over last year’s defense and they will be the deciding factor in this one.

Oh and there’s always the chance we see a back-and-fourth duel between Luck and Manning that I would most certainly enjoy and if that happens, the Broncos would win that battle as well. While the Colts offense is dangerous (first in passing) and Luck is a load to deal with, the Colts just can’t compare to Peyton and his talented offensive cast of Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Julius Thomas (if healthy), and the suddenly emerging, out-of-nowhere C.J. Anderson running the ball. This Bronco’s team is in a win-now-mode and they will treat this game like it.

The Pick: Broncos 38-30

Next: Which are the greatest franchises in the history of the NFL?

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