Colts (+3.5) @ Broncos (-180); Total of 43.5

Pregame: We can’t start talking about this game from a fantasy perspective without starting with the injured RBs. While Jonathan Taylor had a chance of returning as early as this Thursday before ultimately being ruled out, Javonte Williams of the Broncos is done for the season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in their divisional loss to the Raiders in Week 4. With Williams out of the equation, it’ll be interesting and worth monitoring for fantasy to see how the Broncos split their rushing workload between Melvin Gordon, Mike Boone and newly signed Latavius Murray. Another thing worth pointing out is that Randy Gregory is now out for the next four weeks after being placed on the IR and his absence from the defensive line will most definitely lower the potential that the defensive unit showcased through the first three weeks.

With Taylor ruled out, the Colts will likely lean more heavily on the passing game in this matchup, and that should mean heavier involvement from top-wideout Michael Pittman Jr. as the Colts likely attempt to do most of their damage through the air.

Postgame: This game can be summarized by KJ Hamler’s moment at the end of the contest when Russell Wilson didn’t see an open Hamler on a fourth-down with one yard to go in the red zone that could have allowed the Broncos to earn the victory. However, he instead through to a covered Courtland Sutton that resulted in the ball being batted down by CB Stephon Gilmore to end the game and seal the victory for the Colts. However, it wasn’t the Colts offense that can be praised as neither offense scored a single touchdown in a game that went for nearly 70 minutes. The lack of offensive firepower in this game in addition to two interceptions apiece by Wilson and Matt Ryan did allow for both defenses to finish among the top fantasy performers on both sides. A few other guys were able to scratch their way to mediocre value, but to say that any non-Kicker or non-Defensive unit was a top-performer in a game that ended 12-9 in overtime would be disingenuous. Both of these offenses have some serious look-in-the-mirror vibes heading into Week 6.

Colts

QB

Pregame: Matt Ryan will likely be asked to air it out a bit more on Thursday with Taylor sidelined, but he is by no means a QB1 at this point in time. He’s the 27th ranked QB out of 33 according to PFF through four weeks, and remains only a QB2 in two quarterback leagues for Week 5.

Postgame: I guess the positive is that he threw for 251 yards on 26-for-41. That’s where it ends though from a fantasy perspective as he threw no touchdowns with two interceptions. He wasn’t even a reliable QB2 option on the week so apologies to anyone who started the Colts QB in two-QB formats. This was a very rough primetime game.

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