Each week Latin Times will feature an American Football game that features many of the 28 Latinos that are currently playing in the NFL. The league is evolving and currently ranks as the largest grossing sport in the country. With an ever-growing Hispanic population in the United States, the NFL has done many things to cater to the NFL. In addition to showcasing the Latinos throughout the League, each year the NFL honors Hispanic Heritage month and celebrates with commercials like these.
The opening week of the NFL highlights the much-anticipated sequel to the Peyton Manning vs. Andrew Luck saga. This will be the second matchup between Manning and his former team (Colts), who released Manning in order to draft Luck in 2012. Manning spent eleven glorious years with the Colts, leading them to a Super Bowl victory in 2006.
The Broncos have lost six straight to the Colts and you know Manning will have extra motivation in this one as he and the Broncos lost their first round battle in Indianapolis last year 39-33. Indy was a six point home underdog, but managed to upset the Broncos in Manning’s reunion.
Denver has a Latino dynamic duo of Manny Ramirez and Louis Vasquez. The Mexican-American offensive linemen are natives of Texas where they played college football together at Texas Tech. The two have been friends now for 11 years and are now relishing playing alongside each other in Denver where they team up to pancake opposing linemen.
“Manny’s like my brother now. You know, we’ve been around each other a long time, but Manny was kind of my host on that recruiting trip (in 2003) and no we’re together again.” Said Vasquez
The Colts are coming off back-to-back playoff seasons, and appear ready to make the next step and go to a Super Bowl. In order to accomplish this goal, they will have to go through the defending AFC Champion Broncos. Thankfully for the Colts their team is assembled much like the 2006 Super Bowl Championship was. That team was constructed around Manning, and a strong defense. The Colts feature a young and improving defense, and 2012’s number one overall draft pick in Luck. Luck has proven to be a credible successor to Manning as he made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons and holds the NFL rookie record for most passing yards in a season.
Ironically, both teams feature headline stealing suspensions as Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended six games by the NFL on Tuesday. Adding to the intrigue, the Bronco’s star receiver, Wes Welker was suspended on Wednesday. Welker, violated the League’s substance policy for allegedly taking an Adderall at the Kentucky Derby in May of this year.
In a dramatic twist, the only remaining player from the Colts 2006 Championship team Manning’s favorite receiver Reggie Wayne. The Manning-Wayne duo is the second most successful tandem in league history posting over 10,000 yards passing. Wayne was asked how he feels going up against his former friend and teammate on Sunday night and he summed it up perfectly in just a few words: “He’s my brother. But now he’s the enemy.”
The Broncos are heavily favored in the game, and in order to cover the spread, they will need to move on from their Super Bowl hangover. The Broncos were blown out by the Seattle Seahwaks at Met Life Stadium in February, and lost star running back Knowshon Moreno in the offseason.
Historically, the Broncos are great against the spread and unbelievable with Manning in home openers. Last season, in the Thursday Night Football NFL kickoff game, Manning threw for a career high seven touchdowns in a 49-27 rout over the Baltimore Ravens. The Broncos have also been great against the spread, posting a 5-1 record against the spread in their last six home openers.
My Prediction: 34-27 Broncos.
Betting Odds Courtesy of Bovada.lv:
Indianapolis Colts: +9 / +310 Moneyline
Denver Broncos: -9 / -420 Moneyline
Over/Under: 55
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