Colts vs. Broncos: Time, live streaming, how to watch, key matchups, pick for ‘Thursday Night Football’

There are ugly and then there are ugly Broncos Colts. Both AFC teams entered 2022 with expectations of being contenders, especially after big names joined at quarterback. But Denver with Russell Wilson has struggled to a 2-2 start under new coach Nathaniel Hackett, drawing national attention for crunch-time errors and erratic game calls. And Indy with Matt Ryan was even worse, opening 1-2-1 while scoring the fewest points of any team in the NFL.

It’s fitting, then, that Week 5 begins with these two underperformers going head-to-head. Because apparently in both cities it’s now or never. The 2022 schedule still has a long way to go, but Thursday Night Football offers every struggling QB head coaching duo a chance to turn the page and claim a much-needed victory. Hackett and Wilson try to keep up with the Chiefs and Chargers, while Frank Reich desperately tries to avoid the wrath of impatient owner Jim Irsay, let alone challenge the Titans and Jaguars in the AFC South.

Two weeks after a tough Chiefs upset, are the Colts in position to play spoilers again, this time at Mile High? Or is Russ ready to rally the struggling Broncos suffering a narrow loss to rival Raiders? In any case, this could have consequences for the entire AFC. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup:

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Date: Thursday 6 Oct | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver)
Electricity: Amazon Prime Video
Consequences: CBS Sports App
opportunities: Broncos -3.5, O/U 42

Featured Game | Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts

When the Broncos have the ball

cover your eyes (We’re kidding.) Wilson actually had some of his best throws of the year during Denver’s Week 4 loss to the Raiders; In fact, his deep ball likely saved Hackett from being embarrassed by Josh McDaniels in a battle of hard-fought new coaches. But the offensive as a whole has been a sluggish, sputtering machine since the opening push.

Courtland Sutton was open about showing himself to be Wilson’s favorite target, which reminded fans of his days as the underrated WR1, and Javonte Williams remained a tough tackle as the club’s lead went back to last week’s knee injury, and the pressure is on Give Russ to increase the supporting cast. Already pushing in some areas, Wilson picked up the 8th-most sacks in the NFL in Week 4 while trying to extend dead plays.

In this duel, Hackett is challenged to balance Wilson’s health – the QB “damaged” his shoulder against Las Vegas – and leaning on Wilson’s best ability (i.e., deep throwing). KJ Hamler came to life on the receiver end of a Wilson bomb in Week 4, and theoretically the fast wideout with Rodney McLeod and Justin Blackmon can get past an Indy secondary who has older and/or busted safes. On the other hand, Russ is also designed to thrive on running, which means veteran Melvin Gordon and newcomer Latavius ​​Murray, who have just been signed off the Saints’ practice squad, should have a strong hand in the game plan.

The Colts still have a stingy defense, but they’re also battered with linebacker Shaquille Leonard and defensive end Tyquan Lewis already ruled out. Denver needs to be able to build ground play to control Thursday’s showdown, and maybe those absences will help their cause. At the end of the day, though, especially in the bigger picture, it’s up to Hackett to get Wilson to feel more comfortable going forward, as so far the ex-Seahawks star has relied too much on fourth-quarter heroics. Whether it’s leaning more into Wilson’s legs or letting the QB air out even more, the #3 franchise’s investment requirements are becoming more of a difference maker.

When the Colts have the ball

Usually that means it’s time for Jonathan Taylor. And let’s be clear: your offense still runs through the star running back. Trouble is, her once-vaunted line has been slowly degrading for years, to the point where Taylor has “only” averaged 4 yards per carry this season and only canceled a pair of 20-yard carries. And now the reigning rushing champion is out with his second lower leg injury in as many weeks. Backups Nyheim Hines and Deon Jackson are looking to share the workload while Reich prays for Taylor’s quick and healthy return.

Of course, as Ryan has fared under the middle, it’s a wonder what’s in store “down the road” for Reich and general manager Chris Ballard, whose refusal to add proper depth front and outside is a heavy burden for an aging, declining 37 year old QB. Ryan has undoubtedly been tough, averaging nearly four sacks a game, but his ball safety is at a career low amid the turmoil. He’s already thrown five picks and fumbled nine times. The one constant for him has been Michael Pittman Jr., who will catch the eye of Broncos star Patrick Surtain II on Thursday.

As tough as it may be, probably the Colts’ best game in Denver is staying grounded even without a healthy Taylor. Getting the ball out of Ryan’s hands quickly would be ideal for his physical and mental health. That could mean a particularly large package of plays designed around Hines, whose best trait is catching passes from the backfield.

It helps that the Broncos were more vulnerable to the run as Surtain patrolled the secondary and allowed Josh Jacobs to break out with 144 yards on Sunday. When the Colts’ own line of defense gets a boost against a Denver front that struggled mightily in Week 4 and they control the ball, charging from the edges where the Broncos will be without injured standout Randy Gregory should Indy have a chance to win the fight for the time of possession in a low scoring affair.

If things remain tight, however, there’s the matter of Ryan, who is virtually immobile at this point in his career and outclassing Wilson with the game at stake. That’s not to say Ryan can’t, but the one thing Wilson has proven since donning the orange jersey is that he still has some grip to touch the track.

Forecast: Bronco’s 22, Colt’s 17