Denver at Indianapolis

Denver has a terrific head coach in Sean Payton. That's a big advantage in preseason with so many players to examine and teach. He has a good August QB rotation, building around Bo Nix teamed with veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. In Payton's last preseason game, Denver shut out Los Angeles, 41-0, as Stidham threw for 236 yards. Indianapolis didn't change much this offseason. Last year's offense was 25th in total yards and 29th in points. QB Anthony Richardson is back after playing in just four games as a rookie before shoulder surgery, with the backups 39-year-old Joe Flacco (13 TDs, 8 INTs in 2023) and Sam Ehlinger (career 3 TDs, 3 picks). The defensive secondary is below-average and inconsistent while allowing too many big plays. Play Denver.