There’s ugly, and then there’s Broncos-Colts ugly. Both AFC teams entered 2022 expecting to be contenders, especially after adding big names at quarterback. But Denver, with Russell Wilson, has struggled to a 2-2 start under new coach Nathaniel Hackett, garnering national attention for crunch-time blunders and erratic play-calling. And Indy, with Matt Ryan, has been even worse, opening 1-2-1 while scoring the fewest points of any team in the NFL.
It’s fitting, then, that Week 5 will open with these two underperformers squaring off. Because it’s now or never, it seems, in both cities. There’s a long road ahead on the 2022 schedule, but “Thursday Night Football” will offer a chance for each flailing QB-head coach duo to turn the page and get a much-needed victory. Hackett and Wilson are trying to keep pace with the Chiefs and Chargers, while Frank Reich is desperate to avoid the wrath of impatient owner Jim Irsay, let alone give the Titans and Jaguars a run for their money in the AFC South.
Two weeks removed from a tough upset of the Chiefs, are the Colts positioned to play spoiler again, this time at Mile High? Or is Russ ready to rally the banged-up Broncos, who are coming off a close loss to the rival Raiders? Either way, this one could have consequences throughout the AFC. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup:
How to watch
Date: Thursday, Oct. 6 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High (Denver)
Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds: Broncos -3.5, O/U 42
Featured Game | Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts
When the Broncos have the ball
Cover your eyes. (We kid.) 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 probably saved Hackett from being embarrassed by Josh McDaniels in a battle of embattled new coaches. But the offense as a whole has been something of a sluggish, sputtering machine since opening kickoff.
Courtland Sutton has been getting open to emerge as Wilson’s favorite…
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