Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
The line: The Broncos are 1-point favorites.
The total: The total is set at 44. The teams have gone over in their last three meetings.
Rocky Horror
For the Denver Broncos, facing the Indianapolis Colts has been something out of a horror movie.
Their villain stands six foot four and wears a large white mask.
Peyton Manning might as well change his name to Jason the way he has tortured the Broncos in recent meetings. His performances have been scary-good ? almost 900 yards and nine touchdowns in their last two playoff meetings.
Preseason contests often elicit mundane, robotic sound bites about learning a system or playing things conservatively. This one doesn`t sound like ?just another preseason game.? It?s refreshing to hear opponents talk about a contest with such candor for a change.
"You kind of wish it was a game that counted - Indianapolis Colts," linebacker Ian Gold told the Rocky Mountain News. "Hopefully, the tables will turn and we can come out and play hard and get a win."
This doesn?t mean any added wrinkles to the game plan. Both teams will skip game-planning for the most part, but will play their starters on both sides well into the third quarter.
For the Broncos defense, that means Manning, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison and the majority of the cast of Indy Invaders XIII.
"It`s a great challenge," said Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. "Any time you go against an offense that scored more points than anybody in the National Football League, it`s a great challenge for our defense.?
Call for backup
Still not convinced the Colts aren?t in Denver?s head, even just a little bit?
Look at the first three picks of the NFL Draft this year. Darrent Williams, Karl Paymah and Domonique Foxworth - cornerback, cornerback and cornerback.
"I`m sure it`s not a coincidence," Foxworth told the Denver Post. "It`s something I`m sure the Broncos saw as a necessity, and now we`re all here to do a job and hopefully help the Broncos take the next step."
The trio?s role in today?s game becomes even more prominent on Thursday. All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey announced he would spend the final two preseason games resting his hamstring injury.
Bailey was one of the few bright spots in last season?s playoff trouncing - allowing Harrison only four catches for 50 yards and no touchdowns.
Freeney to return
While the Broncos will be without their top defensive player, the Colts will welcome theirs back into action.
Dwight Freeney missed the first three preseason games due to offseason shoulder surgery. His absence didn`t seem to affect the Colts much. The defense allowed just 265 yards per game while compiling nine sacks and seven takeaways in the first three games.
"We`re trying to step up," rookie lineman Darrell Reid told the Indianapolis Star. "As coach (Tony) Dungy says, even though we`ve got some guys hurt, it gives some other guys a chance to show what they can do."
Third stringer Brown done for season
The Colts` lost third string quarterback Travis Brown for the season Thursday with an injured elbow.
The Colts? preseason has been marked by injuries to key players such as Brandon Stokley and Freeney, which probably contributed to a 0-3 start, straight up and against the spread.
Tom Arth will take over for Brown and, along with Jim Sorgi, will likely see action in each of the final two playoff games. Arth played in his first career pro game last week against Chicago, completing 3-of-5 passes for 19 yards.
"It`s a hard situation because Travis and I are such good friends," Arth told the Indianapolis Star. "I feel horrible for him. But at the same time, this is going to be my opportunity to play some."
The line: The Broncos are 1-point favorites.
The total: The total is set at 44. The teams have gone over in their last three meetings.
Rocky Horror
For the Denver Broncos, facing the Indianapolis Colts has been something out of a horror movie.
Their villain stands six foot four and wears a large white mask.
Peyton Manning might as well change his name to Jason the way he has tortured the Broncos in recent meetings. His performances have been scary-good ? almost 900 yards and nine touchdowns in their last two playoff meetings.
Preseason contests often elicit mundane, robotic sound bites about learning a system or playing things conservatively. This one doesn`t sound like ?just another preseason game.? It?s refreshing to hear opponents talk about a contest with such candor for a change.
"You kind of wish it was a game that counted - Indianapolis Colts," linebacker Ian Gold told the Rocky Mountain News. "Hopefully, the tables will turn and we can come out and play hard and get a win."
This doesn?t mean any added wrinkles to the game plan. Both teams will skip game-planning for the most part, but will play their starters on both sides well into the third quarter.
For the Broncos defense, that means Manning, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison and the majority of the cast of Indy Invaders XIII.
"It`s a great challenge," said Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. "Any time you go against an offense that scored more points than anybody in the National Football League, it`s a great challenge for our defense.?
Call for backup
Still not convinced the Colts aren?t in Denver?s head, even just a little bit?
Look at the first three picks of the NFL Draft this year. Darrent Williams, Karl Paymah and Domonique Foxworth - cornerback, cornerback and cornerback.
"I`m sure it`s not a coincidence," Foxworth told the Denver Post. "It`s something I`m sure the Broncos saw as a necessity, and now we`re all here to do a job and hopefully help the Broncos take the next step."
The trio?s role in today?s game becomes even more prominent on Thursday. All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey announced he would spend the final two preseason games resting his hamstring injury.
Bailey was one of the few bright spots in last season?s playoff trouncing - allowing Harrison only four catches for 50 yards and no touchdowns.
Freeney to return
While the Broncos will be without their top defensive player, the Colts will welcome theirs back into action.
Dwight Freeney missed the first three preseason games due to offseason shoulder surgery. His absence didn`t seem to affect the Colts much. The defense allowed just 265 yards per game while compiling nine sacks and seven takeaways in the first three games.
"We`re trying to step up," rookie lineman Darrell Reid told the Indianapolis Star. "As coach (Tony) Dungy says, even though we`ve got some guys hurt, it gives some other guys a chance to show what they can do."
Third stringer Brown done for season
The Colts` lost third string quarterback Travis Brown for the season Thursday with an injured elbow.
The Colts? preseason has been marked by injuries to key players such as Brandon Stokley and Freeney, which probably contributed to a 0-3 start, straight up and against the spread.
Tom Arth will take over for Brown and, along with Jim Sorgi, will likely see action in each of the final two playoff games. Arth played in his first career pro game last week against Chicago, completing 3-of-5 passes for 19 yards.
"It`s a hard situation because Travis and I are such good friends," Arth told the Indianapolis Star. "I feel horrible for him. But at the same time, this is going to be my opportunity to play some."
