Five Key Matchups: Broncos-Colts

When these teams met in Week 1, Harris saw his first game action since tearing his ACL in the playoffs last year, and only played about half the snaps. "At that time, I wasn't fully healthy," Harris said. "I was going in and out of the game when we played them the first time. "So now this time, I'll be in … shoot, I'm not coming out," Harris added with a laugh. His 39 plays against the Colts were by far his lowest this season, and he and Talib stuck to their right and left sides, respectively, while Bradley Roby manned the slot. How the Broncos decide to cover Hilton this week could change. Denver's corners have shadowed specific receivers in recent weeks, and Harris' body type and comfort moving to the slot seems like a good match for the shifty Hilton. At the same time, Talib shadowed Hilton for the Patriots in the divisional playoffs last year. One way or another, the first-time Pro Bowl wide receiver is a dangerous threat that must be contained. Hilton's 19 100-yard games in his career are the second-most any player has posted in his first three seasons since 1960, behind only Randy Moss. If the Broncos can limit Hilton to the five catches and 41 yards he had in Week 1, the Colts' passing attack will lack some of its bite.

With reigning Deacon Jones award-winner Robert Mathis missing the entire season due to suspension and injury, the Colts have been without a top-flight pass rusher. Yet, while no player picked up more than 6.5 sacks on the season, the Colts still finished tied (with the Broncos) for ninth in the NFL with 41 sacks in 2014. Fifteen different players had a share of a sack, including seven players who had at least three. The pass-rush-by-committee approach has served Indy well, and it's been driven primarily by defensive coordinator Greg Manusky's blitz packages. Manusky's been willing to bring players from all over the field, as six different defensive backs have picked up sacks or quarterback hits this year. Montgomery, who is responsible for the line's protection calls, will have to be ready for the multitude of looks and help the line adjust on the fly. Anderson will have to be on point mentally as well. The cleaner this pair can keep Peyton Manning's jersey, the more trouble the Colts' defense will have.

The Colts didn't have an answer for Thomas in Week 1, as the tight end scored three touchdowns in the second quarter against three different defenders in man coverage. But since his ankle injury against the Rams in Week 11, Thomas has just three catches for 63 yards and no touchdowns. He said Monday that the diminished production is "maybe a combination" of the lingering injury and how defenses are playing him since his hot start. Wednesday, Chuck Pagano said, "We expect to see Julius at his best," but it will be interesting to see how the Colts' defense plays the tight end. Will they gear up to stop Thomas and avoid a repeat of Week 1, or will they treat Thomas as a less dangerous target because of his depressed production of late? Either way, expect to see Freeman, the former CFL star, matched with Thomas plenty on Sunday. In Week 1, Thomas caught a 34-yard fade when split out wide left opposite Freeman. Five plays later, he capped the drive with a touchdown despite tight coverage from Freeman on a drag route. If Thomas can exploit man coverage just as well this weekend, the Colts may struggle to stop Denver's passing attack.

Since Ahmad Bradshaw went down in Week 12 against the Patriots, Herron has stepped in as the Colts' primary back on passing downs. He played 58 snaps a week ago against the Bengals and had 85 yards on 10 catches, as Andrew Luck consistently checked down to Herron and let him run. The former sixth-round pick has proven slippery, putting the onus on the Broncos' linebackers in coverage. Brandon Marshall has been excellent at sniffing out screens and tracking down backs this year, but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Giovani Bernard and Latavius Murray got free for 105 combined receiving yards on 10 catches against the Broncos sans Marshall in Weeks 16 and 17. If Denver's young 'backers have to step up, how they handle Herron out of the backfield could be key. Considering Herron's tendency to fumble – two in the regular season and two more last week – and limited experience in pass protection, the Broncos' LBs will try to turn the tables and capitalize on the running back's youth.

As the Broncos' running game has picked up steam in the second half of the season, Orlando Franklin has been a primary factor. The former right tackle has settled in at left guard, with Pro Football Focusing crediting him with positively graded games in six of the final seven weeks of the year. Franklin finished as the Broncos' best offensive lineman according to PFF, primarily for his work in the run game. The Colts signed Jones to a five-year deal in March to plug holes and take up blockers, but Jones missed nine games in the middle of the season due to an ankle injury. Indianapolis allowed at least 4.5 yards per carry in seven of those games and at least 5.3 in six. Since Jones returned in Week 13, the Colts' D has allowed more than four yards per carry just twice in seven games (including playoffs). Franklin should draw Jones, who plays primarily right defensive end, frequently on Sunday. If Franklin can get the consistent push he's shown in the second half of the season, the Broncos should be able to move the ball on the ground.