Colts vs. Broncos: Prelude to AFC Title Game?

Week eight of the NFL season features the two best teams in the AFC - the Denver Broncos (5-1) and the Indianapolis Colts (6-0) - squaring off for what could be home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Both teams, arguably the best in the conference, feature very different styles and philosophies.

Denver wins by a strong running game (Tatum Bell is third in the league in rushing with 585 yards) and an even tougher defense. The Broncos have given up only two touchdowns all season long and are ranked first in scoring defense (7.3) and fourth in total defense (272.0).

Indianapolis wins by its offense and in particular, its passing offense. The Colts are ranked third in total offense (373.0), fourth in scoring offense (28.5), and second (261.8) in passing offense.

Peyton Manning is the catalyst and with Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Brandon Stokely and Ben Utecht, he has plenty of weapons to spread the ball around and drive opposing defenses crazy.

The weak spots on each club are opposite from the strengths. Indy has a below average defense that has trouble stopping the run and Denver has an offense near the bottom in nearly ever statistical category.

Regardless of the analysis - the team that wins on Sunday will have a nice foothold in the quest for home-field advantage and the AFC championship.

There are plenty of excellent games on tap for any football connoisseur, so set back, grab your chips and dip, get your fantasy football sheets out and enjoy the games. There will be no Sunday night game because of the World Series.

Here's the Corners predictions for week eight in the NFL:

Indianapolis at Denver
Offense versus defense. Finesse versus power. In what could be the battle for home field in the playoffs look for the thin air in Mile High and the Denver defense to give Peyton and company their first loss. Winner: Broncos.

Baltimore at New Orleans
Steve McNair may be back for the Ravens but the running game is virtually non-existent. Brian Billick is calling the offense now so will see how that works out. The Saints have been awfully good at home this season and look for that trend to continue on Sunday. Winner: Saints.

Atlanta at Cincinnati
Both teams came away with big wins last week and look to keep the momentum going. Vick will probably never throw four touchdown passes in one game ever again, so go with Cincy at home. Winner: Bengals.

Seattle at Kansas City
The Seahawks will be without Matt Hasselbeck, Shawn Alexander, Bobby Engram and Sean Locklear against a team that is almost unbeatable at Arrowhead. Winner: Kansas City.

St. Louis at San Diego
Despite their enormous talent level, the Chargers are a team imploding with way too many off-field distractions. First Steve Foley, then Terrence Kiel and now Shawne Merriman. Look for the Rams to catch San Diego at the right time. Winner: Rams.

San Francisco at Chicago
Let's see. The Bears almost lose to Arizona and that gets them really, really mad. Then they have a week off and two weeks to prepare for the 49ers. Be very afraid Alex Smith. Winner: Bears.

Tampa Bay at New York Giants
There will be no 62-yard field goal to save the Bucs this week. Winner: Giants.

Jacksonville at Philadelphia
Two teams coming of big disappointing losses. The Jaguars will be without Bryan Leftwich so David Garrard will take over. Even worse for Jacksonville, DT Marcus Stroud will not play as well. The Eagles out-gained Tampa Bay 506-196 last week and still lost! Philly should get out of its two-game funk here. Winner: Eagles.

Pittsburgh at Oakland
The Raiders won their first game of the season last week and had a wonderful celebration. Now it's time to get back to what they do best - losing. Winner: Steelers.

New York Jets at Cleveland
The Jets have found a running game, thanks to rookie Leon Washington's 129-yard effort last week. Chad Pennington is having a pro-bowl type season and believe it or not, New York is a playoff contender. The Browns are not. Winner: Jets.

Arizona at Green Bay
How can you possibly lose to the Raiders? Winner: Packers.

Houston at Tennessee
The Texans are slowly but surely getting better week to week under the direction of Gary Kubiak. The Titans are coming off their first win of the season, but who really believes they can do it twice in a row? Winner: Texans.

Dallas at Carolina (Sunday night)
Tony Romo gets his first NFL start and it's on the road against a Jekyll and Hyde Carolina squad. Still, the Panthers are at home and have more overall talent than the Cowboys. How long before Drew Bledsoe is back in? Winner: Panthers.

New England at Minnesota (Monday night)
The Vikings are coming off a huge win at Seattle, while the Patriots are once again building for the playoffs under Bill Belichick. Minnesota has a strong defense, but a so-so offense. The receiving corps for New England is starting to come around. Should be a good game. Winner: Patriots.

The Corner Lowdown
Last week: 6-7 (No!)
Overall: 63-21

pro football NFL predictions Broncos Colts


Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!

Do you love football? Then tune it to the Football Fanatics Show!