Colts vs. Broncos Point Spread: NFL Week 15 Odds, Prediction
A comeback win prior to last week’s bye has set up the Colts with an outside chance to get into the post-season, but if they’re to accomplish that feat they need to make ground on the AFC Wild-Card teams, which Denver is one of. A win on Sunday for the Broncos would all but solidify a playoff berth for a Denver team that entered the 2024–25 NFL season with a win total set at 5.5. Indianapolis’ was 8.5, for reference.
The duo of head coach Sean Payton and rookie QB Bo Nix was all the Broncos needed to get over the hill. Denver’s defence remains elite, allowing the second-fewest points per game (18) this season but 36 points per game on offence over a three-game win streak is the difference.
Kickoff at Empower Field at Mile High is at 4:25 p.m. EST with the Broncos a four-point favourite, and -200 on the moneyline on home field. The over-under is at 44.5 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Indianapolis has Denver’s number, winning and covering in 10 of these teams last 13 meetings. The Colts are 5-1 ATS in their last six strips to Denver, but overall the Broncos have found success at home this season by covering in four of their last five home games and not having a home loss in two months.
The Colts have been so up-and-down on offence this season, but pulled out a gritty road victory the last time they took the field which was backed by a 19-play game-winning drive. Anthony Richardson only passed for 109 yards in the win. Richardson’s gone over 200 passing yards in three of his eight starts this season and a Colts receiver hasn’t hit 100 receiving yards since Josh Downs on October 27. That said, Denver allowed 497 passing yards in their last appearance.
Indianapolis Colts
There’s no telling which Anthony Richardson, or which Colts offence will show up this season. And that’s literally and figuratively. While Richardson’s play has been all over this season, he’s consistently completed under half of his passes and it creates problems on offence.
One thing that’ll help the Colts offence, or at least tilt their boom or bust tendency toward the boom, is the looming return of Josh Downs. In 10 games Downs has 594 receiving yards, nearly leading the team if not for Alec Pierce and his 645 yards on 29 catches, which is an NFL-best 22.2 yards per reception. As dicey as this strategy is, the Colts will need some home runs to pull off an upset. But then again, Indianapolis went for two when down 24-23 with 12 seconds left to go ahead and steal a win… so dicey is in head coach Shane Steichen’s DNA.
Denver Broncos
Last week’s bye kept the Broncos healthy, but they’re still hurting at a key position group: the secondary. After allowing Jameis Winston to throw for nearly 500 yards in Denver’s last outing, the Broncos still remain down some secondary starters as cornerback Riley Moss (knee) did not practice Wednesday and Brandon Jones (abdomen) was limited. Pat Surtain II can essentially eliminate a receiver, but as opposing offence are finding out… there’s other DBs to pick on.
Game-shifting interceptions bailed the Broncos out in their 41-32 win over Cleveland back on December 2, as did an offence by committee. Jaleel McLaughlin took the workload in the backfield with a team-high 14 carries for 84 yards, while Marvin Mims Jr. and Courtland Sutton each eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark. Outside of Sutton, a new Broncos player seems to step up on offence each week.
IND
DEN