GAME PREVIEW ANALYSIS

This game marks the first time since 1994 that the Colts have played the Broncos without Peyton Manning starting for either team. Since Manning joined the NFL, the Colts are 11-3 against the Broncos, winning four of six in Denver. When the teams met last season, Andrew Luck threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns before taking a season-ending hit from former Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis went on to win the game 27-24.

“The last couple of years they came in here and beat Denver in the playoff game and then beat us last year, so it’s just the way it is,” Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said Wednesday. “It’s the same team pretty much so we’ve got a lot of respect for them. Offensively they probably have as many weapons that we’ll see all year long and then defensively they’ll give you a lot of trouble protecting the quarterback and those types of things. We have a lot of respect for them and their coaches and we know that we’ll have to play very well.”

The Colts’ offense is stacked at the skill positions. 33-year old running back Frank Gore can still get it done on the ground. Gore has over 12,000 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns in his 12 years in the league. Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton is one of the best in the league, compiling over 1,000 yards in each of his last three seasons. 23-year-old wide receiver Donte Moncrief is poised for a breakout year, after gaining 733 yards last season.

“They’re certainly taking the next step,” Andrew Luck said of his receivers. “They’re great guys to play with. They’re athletic. Obviously Donte is very big, on the bigger side, and Phil is maybe on the smaller side. Phil can run like the wind. Donte did a great job, made some big plays. Obviously, everybody just about knows what T.Y. can do in this league. And those guys are making it hard to just focus on T.Y. as a defense”

Protecting Luck will be one of the Colts’ top priorities this week. Denver boasts one of the best pass rushes in the league, featuring outside linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware both of whom are in the top five in sacks per game in NFL history.

“We do a great job of trying to communicate, stressing to keep (Luck) upright and trying to take care of him, so hopefully that continues,” said Colts tight end Dwayne Allen. “(But) they have those stats also, so I’m sure that’s going to be one on their board to get them ready for this game.”

Defensively, Denver has very few holes. They ranked first in passing yards allowed, rushing yards per carry, and sacks last season. After a slow start against Carolina last week, Denver found their groove in the second half, only giving up a single field goal.

Indianapolis is struggling in the secondary. Starting cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Patrick Robinson will both miss this weekends game, as will starting safety T.J. Green. Backup cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Darius Butler are both listed as questionable. If Cromartie and Butler can’t go, look for Rashaan Melvin and Darius Morris to take their spots.

“Yeah, it’s going to be a challenge,” Pagano said. “It was a challenge and it’ll be no different this week. Got a talented, talented group on that side. Quarterback Trevor Siemian’s going to do a great job and those guys are matchup issues for your starters when you’re healthy. And when you have some guys in there that haven’t played, it’s even more of a challenge.”

Luckily, Indianapolis has a strong front seven that has the potential to put pressure on Siemian. Veteran outside linebacker Robert Mathis will be the key to the Colts’ pass rush. Despite being 35 years old, Mathis is only two years removed from a 19.5 sack season, good for 12th all-time.

“(The Colts’ front seven is) huge, you look at their front seven and what they do,” Broncos running back C.J. Anderson said this week. “They’re very physical; we know that they get after it. Since I’ve been here, I’ve played the Colts four times and beat them once. They are always getting after us up front. It’s a big challenge like it was last week and we’re ready for the challenge.”

Denver’s offense seems to have improved this season. C.J. Anderson played well against Carolina, racking up 139 total yards and two touchdowns. Gary Kubiak wants to dominate on the ground, utilizing a zone-running scheme and lots of play action passes. Anderson’s vision and cutting ability make him an ideal runner for this offense.

Sunday will also be the second start for Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian. Siemian passed the eye test last week, but his stats left something to be desired. Siemian has a strong arm and decent athletic ability, but his biggest asset is his brain. Siemian, who graduated from Northwestern in 2015, has shown maturity and poise over the course of the offseason.

“I think I just have to understand that we have a great team,” Siemian said. “I just have to stay within the confines of the offense and do what I can to make the plays when they come across. I think we have a good team and a good defense. The scheme is really good, too. I’m not going to be trying to do too much, just stay within the scheme.”