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What felt like a heavyweight NFL clash before the season now presents as a do-or-die game for the Broncos and Colts, who enter Thursday’s clash in desperation mode after uninspiring starts.

Denver has limped its way to a 2-2 start and enters this one as a slim three-point home favorite at BetMGM. Meanwhile, Indianapolis has managed just one win to this point, though it came in one of the biggest upsets of the season. Can the road ‘dogs channel that energy into this one, too?

Here’s how we’re betting Thursday’s contest, which kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.

If you were to make a list of the five most disappointing teams through the first four weeks of the season, these two are sure to make the cut – if not take the top two spots. So it’s understandably hard to muster much excitement for either side in Thursday’s contest.

That was before a rash of injuries to both sides further complicated what was already a messy matchup. The Broncos placed leading rusher Javonte Williams (knee) and linebacker Randy Gregory (knee) on injured reserve after Sunday’s loss to the Raiders, while the Colts will similarly be without top rusher Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and star linebacker Shaquille Leonard (concussion) on short rest.

That’s especially concerning for Indianapolis, which funnels its entire offense through its superstar tailback. After leading the NFL in carries (332), rushing yards (1,811), and rushing touchdowns (18) in 2021, Taylor had carried the ball at least 20 times in three of the Colts’ first four games of this season despite a career-low 4.0 yards per tote.

There’s simply no precedent for how this Colts offense will look without Taylor, who had missed just one game in his entire pro career before Thursday’s designation. It’ll almost certainly mean more of former MVP quarterback Matt Ryan, which isn’t exactly a good thing – the 15-year veteran ranks fourth in passing yards (1,125) but 23rd in QBR (41.3) and has thrown as many touchdowns (5) as interceptions (5).

Conversely, the Broncos will also be without their top rusher in Williams, but they have a ready-made replacement with longtime starter Melvin Gordon and sneaky backup Mike Boone. They also have a nine-time Pro Bowl passer in Russell Wilson, who could finally post a get-right performance against one of the shakiest pass defenses in the league.

Neither of these teams have lived up to expectation this year, but the Colts ranked dead last in DVOA even before losing arguably their best players on offense and defense on short rest. Denver ranks 15th in that metric and is clearly the better team on paper, and it deserves more respect than a token three points for hosting Thursday’s affair.