Five Key Matchups: Broncos vs. Colts

Perhaps it's best to let Chris Harris Jr. explain why it's so hard to cover T.Y. Hilton, a 5-foot-9 receiver nicknamed "The Ghost." "I'm going to sound like a broken record, but it's true — T.Y. is another guy who can line up all over the field, which makes him very unpredictable. Similar to [Antonio Brown], he's a guy who is very patient in his routes, but the thing that sticks out the most is that he takes very precise angles," Harris told The Players' Tribune last year. Even without Andrew Luck as his quarterback, Hilton has turned in a productive season, totaling 811 yards for four touchdowns thus far. He also remains a big-play threat, so Harris will have his hands full. As Harris looks to make his case for another Pro Bowl, shutting down Hilton could provide a healthy boost.

Frank Gore may be the big name in Indianapolis' backfield, but after he carried the ball 36 times for 130 yards in Sunday's game against Buffalo, the Colts may look for rookie Marlon Mack to lighten the load more than usual. Mack, a fourth-round pick out of the University of South Florida, has had limited opportunities this season, but he's busted several big runs along the way. And as he showed Sunday in the Buffalo snow, he's also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. Mack led all Indianapolis pass catchers in a game with understandably few pass attempts. The Denver linebacking corps will need to make sure Mack doesn't hurt them on screen plays or flares out of the backfield. If Brandon Marshall and Co. can eliminate that, it will take away a safety net for second-year quarterback Jacoby Brissett and force him to throw into the teeth of the Broncos' defense.

Perhaps it's best to let Chris Harris Jr. explain why it's so hard to cover T.Y. Hilton, a 5-foot-9 receiver nicknamed "The Ghost." "I'm going to sound like a broken record, but it's true — T.Y. is another guy who can line up all over the field, which makes him very unpredictable. Similar to [Antonio Brown], he's a guy who is very patient in his routes, but the thing that sticks out the most is that he takes very precise angles," Harris told The Players' Tribune last year. Even without Andrew Luck as his quarterback, Hilton has turned in a productive season, totaling 811 yards for four touchdowns thus far. He also remains a big-play threat, so Harris will have his hands full. As Harris looks to make his case for another Pro Bowl, shutting down Hilton could provide a healthy boost.

When Von Miller recorded a sack Sunday, he became the first player in Broncos' history to put together six seasons with at least 10 sacks. He's not done yet, though, as he's still within range of one of his best seasons as a pro. With a sack in each of his last four games, he would tie his second-highest total in his career. When you consider the few opportunities Miller has had this season to play from ahead and account for the attention he has received from opposing offenses, that's nothing short of spectacular. Denzelle Good will face a stout challenge as he deals with the Super Bowl 50 MVP.

A game after he passed Shannon Sharpe for second place on the Broncos' all-time receiving yardage and receiving touchdown lists, Demaryius Thomas will look to build against a young corner. The Colts' secondary is just one area of their team that's been ravaged by injury, as they no longer have the same talent that patrolled the sideline when Vontae Davis was healthy and on the roster. With Rashaan Melvin likely out again Thursday, Thomas may face second-round pick Quincy Wilson on the outside. Wilson has played in just four games this season and hasn't provided the production Indianapolis may have expected when they drafted him in April. Against the Bills, though, Wilson turned in his best performance yet. He recorded three pass deflections in the snow — but he will face a tougher challenge on the turf against Thomas. If the Broncos can win that battle, they may dominate in the passing game.