Thursday Night Football Preview: Denver Broncos vs Indianapolis Colts

The Denver Broncos host the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football in a matchup of two teams looking to turn around rough beginnings to the 2022 regular season. The Broncos will seek to bounce back after a Week 4 loss to the previously winless Las Vegas Raiders, and the Indianapolis Colts are looking for only their second victory of the season after a defeat to the Tennessee Titans. The Broncos are 3-point favorites to move to 3-2.

Final #INDvsDEN injury report:

📰 » https://t.co/3N0XnPnRXC pic.twitter.com/rg5waKaWFp
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 5, 2022

The Broncos enter Week 5 trying to build some momentum on offense with their new quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson had arguably his best game of the year in defeat against the Raiders in Week 4, setting season-highs in passer rating with 124.9 and points scored with 23, but that's indicative of the Broncos' problems through four weeks. The team ranks 30th in the league in points scored, and their leading rusher Javonte Williams will now miss the remainder of the season with an ACL tear suffered against the Raiders.

The Broncos defense looked promising through three weeks, allowing a mere 36 total points across their first three games, but it fell apart against the Raiders, allowing 212 rushing yards and 32 points. They'll be without edge rusher Randy Gregory now following his Week 4 knee injury, and stud safety Justin Simmons remains out with his quad injury. They'll hope a pass defense that has permitted the fifth-fewest pass yards in the league can still maintain its effectiveness.

With Wednesday’s walkthrough, today's practice report is only an estimation of a player's participation if there was a practice. pic.twitter.com/7w1Xugcaon
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 5, 2022

The Colts are also finding their legs with a new quarterback, but the results so far have been disastrous. Matt Ryan has been maddeningly mistake-prone through four weeks, tossing five interceptions and fumbling a baffling nine times. The Colts acquired him this offseason hoping he might provide a steadier hand than former quarterback Carson Wentz, but the opposite has proven true. Now with All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor poised to miss the game, things might be worse than ever for the league's 32nd-ranked scoring offense.

If the Colts have a strength so far this season, it's their defense. Their leader at linebacker Shaquille Leonard will miss his fourth game of the year, but the team has remained effective in his absence. The Colts have allowed the sixth-fewest yards in the league through four weeks and have held opposing rushing attacks to a minuscule 3.1 yards per attempt.

The Indianapolis Colts visit the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football in the first game of Week 5.