NFL Match of the Week with our NFL guru Hamish Girvan
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This is my house now – OK ?
Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts 10.25am Monday
At the start of the season this match-up between ex Colt and NFL Elect Hall of Famer, Peyton Manning, versus his replacement and seen as the next one to take his mantle, Andrew Luck, would have been seen as classic matchup. As the season has unwound though one team has hit a downward spiral and surprisingly it’s not the Broncos. The Colts went into this season after only being one game away from going to the Superbowl in the season before – and their quarterback, Luck, was widely regarded as being one of the best in the NFL (including by this writer). He has really hit a slump and they go into this game with a 3 game losing streak. Rumours of dressing room unrest and a coach who will not be there next season don’t help. Luck took his team into double overtime against the Carolina Panthers last week however they went onto lose due to an interception he threw. A fall from grace in Indy this season.
Meanwhile ex Colt and now Bronco’s Quarterback Peyton Manning has lead his team to an unbeaten 8 game season streak – or has he led them ? Manning certainly is showing his 39 years these days and his zip of pass is waning. The defensive unit are what is the rock of this team’s success. New head coach Gary Kubiak has built his team around fast paced defence and a running game – obviously aware of Manning’s short comings. Smart move. The AFC West is theirs for the taking and a sure bet (unless there is a meltdown of mammoth proportions). They certainly proved to the critics that they are a threat with a total shut down of the Green Bay Packers last week – a game many thought they would struggle in.
The Broncos have been given a 3.5 point start here however it may well be more then that by the time the game ends. A Bronco may be stronger than a Colt here !
Give Hamish a follow.