Today’s TNF matchup features two NFL franchises that expected to compete for the Super Bowl this year. Four weeks into the game, both the Denver Broncos and visiting Indianapolis Colts need a win to stay afloat, with today’s contestant’s loser possibly falling into too deep a hole to get out before the end of the season.
The Broncos are third in the AFC West, 2-2 behind the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers. Denver was supposed to be 1-3, but they somehow managed to defeat the San Francisco 49ers at Sunday Night Football in Week 3 and win by an awkward 11-10 score.
The Las Vegas Raiders, currently bottom of the table in the AFC West, hold a 1:3 balance. Your only win? It was against the Denver Broncos. Aside from Denver’s win over the 49ers, their only other win was over the lowly Houston Texans.
Why is online NFL sports betting projecting the Broncos as a 3-point favorite over the Colts?
Indianapolis Colts @ Denver Broncos
- Colt’s Point Spread: +3.0
- Colt’s Moneyline: +155
- Broncos Point Spread: -3.0
- Bronco’s money line: -180
- Over/Under: 42.0
Indianapolis has also endured a disappointing 2022-23 season so far. After signing former Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan as under-center for the Colts, the team was expected to rise to the top of the AFC South Division and be in contention for a Super Bowl championship.
The Colts are currently 1-2-1 and are behind the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans in divisional standings, but are just a half game behind both teams.
That’s why winning this game is crucial for both franchises, even at this early point in the season. A win will put them back on track to fulfill their preseason expectations, despite their struggles in the early weeks.
For those inclined to bet on the Denver Broncos, their current moneyline odds require wagers of $1.80 to receive a $1 payout. We’ve shopped in tonight’s betting odds and the Broncos best moneyline is posted at BetOnline at -174.
While both teams appear even on paper, the Broncos’ advantage in points distribution is due to the injury status of Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who will miss tonight’s game.
Taylor was the league’s top rusher last season, but he’s gotten off to a rocky start this year and isn’t living up to his 2021-22 standard.
Indianapolis will likely take a running-back-by-committee approach and rely on the passing game a little more than usual with Taylor out tonight.
For players who trust the Colts to beat the Denver Broncos, the odds are highest at BetUS, where they posted a +155 NFL moneyline.
Of all the online pro soccer sportsbooks that we frequent here at SBL, they all have the same over/under score of 42.0. However, there are some differences in point distribution when you shop at MyBookie as they offer -3.5 for Denver and +3.5 for Indianapolis.
Tonight’s edition of Thursday Night Football begins at 8:20 p.m. and is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Thursday Night Football Betting Odds – Bovada Sportsbook, BetOnline, BetUS, MyBookie
Source – ESPN