Colts (1-2-1) at Broncos (2-2)

When: 6:15 p.m. MT, Thursday

Where: Empower Field

Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/KMGH-7, Amazon Prime

Broncos-49ers series: Broncos are 14-11 in 25 regular-season games dating back to 1974; the Broncos lost 15-13 in the last meeting, on Oct. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis.

Key matchup

Colts QB Matt Ryan vs Broncos secondary

Like Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan is finding it’s taking some time to acclimate as a former Pro Bowl QB in his next stop.

The longtime Falcons quarterback signed with Indianapolis in the offseason and is 102-of-154 passing for 1,125 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions thus far. He’s also been sacked 15 times for a league-high 117 yards. While he’s been shaky in the Colts’ losses, he also led a fourth-quarter comeback in their Week 1 tie against Houston and Week 3 upset of Kansas City.

It’s up to the Broncos defense to keep Ryan from settling into a rhythm and becoming “Matty Ice,” especially with running back Jonathan Taylor sidelined with an ankle injury.

“(I see) the same player that (Ryan) has been in his career,” Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said. “Smart, knows where to go with the ball, he’s decisive and he cuts the field in terms of his decision-making. They’ve had some stuff with protection where he’s gotten hit and stuff like that, but this is still a really good quarterback.”

Pat Surtain II and Ronald Darby will be tasked with keeping the Colts’ top receivers, most notably Michael Pittman Jr., in check. And the Broncos will need to apply pressure to Ryan off the edges, which falls on second-year pro Baron Browning and veteran Bradley Chubb.

“We know we’ve got to get into the pocket and try to make it a long day for Ryan, and to keep him from finding that timing (with his targets),” Chubb said.

Who has the edge?

Quarterback

Despite the loss in Las Vegas, Russell Wilson played his best game as a Bronco in Week 4. He still needs to find the consistency and edge that made him a perennial Pro Bowler. Meanwhile, Matt Ryan’s also having mixed results in his first season in Indy. Edge: Even

Running back

The Broncos lost Javonte Williams to a season-ending ACL injury, so it will be on Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone to carry the load with newly signed back Latavius Murray a question mark. Colts bell cow Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s rushing leader last year, is out with ankle injury. Edge: Broncos

Receiver/tight end

Courtland Sutton is playing at a Pro Bowl level and tight end Eric Saubert has been a nice surprise with a couple of big grabs. Denver needs more out of KJ Hamler and Albert Okwuegbunam. The Colts feature No. 1 WR Michael Pittman Jr. and tight end Mo Alie-Cox. Edge: Broncos

Offensive line

Denver’s offensive line remains banged up, with right guard Quinn Meinerz (hamstring) sidelined and right tackle Billy Turner (knee) yet to make his season debut. Indianapolis is highlighted by one of the NFL’s best guards, Quenton Nelson, a three-time All-Pro. Edge: Colts

Defensive line

Dre’Mont Jones and D.J. Jones have been forces up front, while DeShawn Williams and Mike Purcell have also played decently. But the group got gashed against the run last week in Las Vegas. The Colts have Yannick Ngakoue and Kwity Paye as D-ends. Edge: Even

Linebacker

With Randy Gregory on injured reserve (right knee), Baron Browning gets his first NFL start at edge rusher opposite Bradley Chubb. Josey Jewell and Jonas Griffith have done well inside. Colts’ All-Pro middle linebacker Shaquille Leonard is out (concussion). Edge: Broncos

Secondary

Pat Surtain II is playing like one of the NFL’s best corners. Justin Simmons is still on IR (quad), so Caden Sterns gets another start at free safety. Essang Bassey will play the dime due to P.J. Locke’s concussion. Indy features Pro Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore. Edge: Broncos

Special teams

Montrell Washington flashed his potential last week with a few impressive punt returns; his first TD seems imminent. Brandon McManus and Corliss Waitman are a dependable combo. Indy ranks 27th in gross punting average; 30th in field goal percentage. Edge: Broncos

Tale of the tape

* Through Week 4

By the numbers

8 — K’Waun Williams’ career sack total after recording another one last week in Las Vegas. Williams’ eight sacks are the third-most among NFL cornerbacks since 2014.

33.3 — The red zone scoring percentage allowed by the Broncos’ defense (three touchdowns on nine possessions), which ranks first in the league.

4 — Games in a row in which the Broncos’ secondary has not allowed over 200 yards passing; the last time Denver had five straight games at or under that mark was October 2010.

146 — The amount of yards that Browns running back D’Ernest Johnson ran for in Week 7 last year, the last time the Broncos defense faced a reserve tailback due to an injury to a prominent starter (Nick Chubb then, Jonathan Taylor this week).

37 — How many penalties the Broncos have committed through four games, the most in the NFL.

Betting/fantasy

Line: Broncos -3

The home team seems like a good bet here for a bounce-back win against a Colts team still searching for its identity under first-year QB Matt Ryan. As long as Denver can keep the Colts’ run game in check — which might include ex-Broncos Phillip Lindsay as a practice-squad call-up — the Broncos should cover.

Prop bet: Jerry Jeudy over 48.5 receiving yards (-125)

Yes, Jeudy went off for four catches for 102 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. But he’s been relatively quiet since, even with his four catches for 53 yards last week. Take the under on this one — Jeudy has over 48 receiving yards in just four of his last 10 games played.

Post predictions

Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 20, Colts 16

If Denver can’t beat Indianapolis without star running back Jonathan Taylor, who makes the Colts go, we can stop talking about the NFL playoffs and start talking about how big a mistake it was to hire Nathaniel Hackett as coach.

Kyle Newman, beat writer: Broncos 14, Colts 13

Indianapolis comes into Denver on a short week, without their best offensive player (tailback Jonathan Taylor) and their best defensive player (middle linebacker Shaquille Leonard). If the Broncos can’t pull this one out, there’s no hope for them to contend within the AFC West this season or even sniff a wild card spot in the second half of ’22.

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 23, Colts 20 

Matt Ryan’s been turnover prone in his first season with the Colts, but Denver’s depth on the edge took a hit with OLB Randy Gregory headed to short-term injured reserve. Even still, the Broncos have enough up front to make life difficult for Ryan and the Indy offense. Is it too much to ask for a consistent performance from the Broncos’ offense? On a short week without Javonte Williams, perhaps it is. A short field or two certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 17, Colts 16

Nathaniel Hackett’s Packers were 7-1 on short rest from 2019-21, while the Broncos went 1-6 in those same circumstances over the last three years under Vic Fangio. The difference? Matt Ryan’s QB rating on the road this season (63.9) is more than 40 points lower than his home clip (107.8). Broncos Country makes enough noise to make the difference late.