Game Preview of Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts. Week 2 of 2025 NFL Season
DEN
IND
Game Preview
The Broncos visit Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, 14 September (1:00 PM ET) to face the Colts. Denver brings a defence that smothers big plays and turns pressure into sacks. Indianapolis counters with an offence that flashed pace and balance in Week 1, plus a defence that took the ball away.
Sean Payton said he wants more balance after a pass-heavy opener. That fits the matchup. Indy’s front has several key players listed questionable, and the Colts’ run defence has leaked chunk gains in a small sample. Expect J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey to set up easier throws for Bo Nix.
On the other side, Daniel Jones steps into a tougher test. Denver ranks elite in pressure-to-sack rate and in limiting explosive passes. If Indy’s receivers can’t uncover quickly, especially with Josh Downs questionable, long drives may stall.
One wild card is the Colts’ banged-up secondary. Charvarius Ward and Jaylon Jones are both questionable. If either sits or is limited, Courtland Sutton and rookie Troy Franklin get cleaner looks on the perimeter. That could be the opening Denver needs in a game with a modest total ladder.
Current Season Form
DEN
AwayIND
HomeHead-to-Head Summary
Past Results
| Date | Opponent | Result | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-07 | vs MIA | W 33-8 | W +1.5 | u47.5 |
| 2025-01-05 | vs JAX | W 26-23 | W +3.5 | o45.5 |
| 2024-12-29 | @ NYG | L 33-45 | L -7.5 | o40.5 |
| 2024-12-22 | vs TEN | W 38-30 | W +4.0 | o42.5 |
| 2024-12-15 | @ DEN | L 13-31 | L 4.5 | o43.5 |
| 2024-12-01 | @ NE | W 25-24 | W +-2.5 | o41.5 |
| 2024-11-24 | vs DET | L 6-24 | L -7.0 | u50.5 |
| 2024-11-17 | @ NYJ | W 28-27 | L 4.0 | o43.0 |
| 2024-11-10 | vs BUF | L 20-30 | L -4.5 | o46.5 |
| 2024-11-03 | @ MIN | L 13-21 | L 6.5 | u47.0 |
Key Insights
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Denver allows just 3.0% explosive passes (84th percentile; sample 33).
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Denver converts 15.2% of pressures into sacks (100th percentile; sample 33).
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Colts generate takeaways at a 6.5% rate (100th percentile; sample 46).
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Indy defence has multiple front-seven starters/questionables (Buckner, Paye, Ebukam).
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Colts’ run defence has allowed a 16.7% explosive run rate (small sample 12).
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Third-down swing: Denver’s stop rate is 85.7% (100th percentile; small sample 14).
Betting Insights
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Spread lean: Broncos -3.0 (+106). Plus-money on a defence that finishes pressure; variance higher at a key number.
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Total view: The 47.0 Under is heavily juiced (-222). If you want a fairer hold, Under 43.5 (-139) matches the defensive profile but at more reasonable risk.
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Courtland Sutton Anytime TD (+162): Indy CBs Ward/Jaylon Jones are questionable; Denver’s WR1 should see high-leverage targets.
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J.K. Dobbins Over 46.5 rushing yards (-118): Colts’ explosive run allowed rate (16.7%; small sample) and front-seven Qs point to ground success.
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Bo Nix Under 223.5 passing yards (-119): Indy limits explosives (3.2%; sample 31) and leads in turnover rate (6.5%).
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Michael Pittman Jr. Under 43.5 receiving yards (-116): Denver’s pass defence caps chunk plays and finishes pressure.
Final Summary
This sets up as a trenches matchup. Denver’s defence wins with efficiency: tight coverage, quick sacks, and third-down stops. If the Broncos run game gets on schedule, they can play from ahead and protect Nix with play-action.
Indianapolis still has paths. The Colts create takeaways and can pop runs with Jonathan Taylor. If Jones keeps the ball out quickly and they stay on script, Indy can grind drives and keep the Denver pass rush honest.
Injuries may swing this. If the Colts’ secondary is short-handed, Sutton and Franklin can punish single coverage. If Buckner and Co. are limited, Denver’s run game gets a real boost.
Our card leans Broncos -3 (+106) and a defensive game state overall, with preference to Unders on select receiver numbers and a ground-heavy plan for Denver. As always, note the juice and the sample sizes early in the season. Keep stake sizes modest and be ready to adjust if the Colts’ inactives break in their favour.
Statistical Battle Boards
OffenseDefense| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 33 | #4 | 12 | #28 | |
| Total Points Per Game | 33 | #4 | 12 | #5 | |
| Total Touchdowns | 3 | #5 | 0 | #1 | |
| Passing Touchdowns | 1 | #17 | 0 | #2 | |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 2 | #7 | 0 | #11 | |
| Other Touchdowns | 0 | #3 | 0 | #30 | |
| Total Kicking Points | 15 | #1 | 12 | #3 | |
| Total Two Point Conversions | 0 | #5 | 0 | #6 | |
| Kick Extra Points | 3 | #7 | 0 | #31 | |
OffenseDefense| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Passing Yards | 262 | #8 | 62 | #32 | |
| Net Passing Yards Per Game | 262 | #8 | 62 | #32 | |
| Passer Rating | 116 | #6 | 54.5 | #31 | |
| Passing Attempts | 29 | #21 | 28 | #9 | |
| Completions | 22 | #13 | 12 | #32 | |
| Completion Percentage | 75.9 | #3 | 42.9 | #1 | |
| Passing 1st downs | 14 | #7 | 5 | #1 | |
| Passing 1st Down % | 51.9 | #20 | 71.4 | #25 | |
| Longest Pass | 36 | #12 | 29 | #21 | |
| Passing Fumbles Lost | 0 | #29 | 1 | #3 | |
| Receiving Targets | 29 | #19 | 25 | #25 | |
| Receptions | 22 | #13 | 12 | #1 | |
| Receiving Yards After Catch | 112 | #11 | 64 | #7 | |
| YAC Average | 5.1 | #10 | 5.3 | #26 | |
OffenseDefense| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 156 | #6 | 71 | #8 | |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 156 | #6 | 71 | #25 | |
| Rushing Attempts | 40 | #1 | 21 | #5 | |
| Yards Per Rush Attempt | 3.9 | #17 | 3.4 | #20 | |
| Rushing 1st downs | 11 | #3 | 2 | #3 | 🏈 |
| 20+ Yard Rushing Plays | 0 | #27 | 0 | #27 | 🏈 |
| Long Rushing | 15 | #18 | 9 | #28 | |
| Rushing Fumbles | 0 | #27 | 0 | #27 | 🏈 |
| Rushing Fumbles Lost | 0 | #5 | 1 | #4 | |
