Online betting handicappers will have to consider the intangible factor for the Denver Broncos this week in their matchup with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Sbgglobal opened with Indianapolis as a 5.5-point favorite at Denver with a total of 48. Kickoff will be at 4:20 PM Eastern for the CBS broadcast.
A Stunned Team
On Monday the Broncos received word that their 2nd year wideout Kenny McKinley was found dead at his home in Arapahoe County in the Denver suburbs. Authorities ruled it a suicide due to a gunshot wound to the head. The tragedy shocked McKinley’s teammates and coaches who saw him as a great teammate that always had a smile and loved practical jokes.
No Signs of Trouble
Apparently beneath the winning smile that McKinley would consistently flash was a lot of pain that was being concealed. McKinley was on the injured reserve list and out for the season due to a knee injury. He is the third Broncos player to lose his life in the last four years which has taken its toll upon the organization. Police reports indicate that McKinley was very depressed about his injury and status with the team.
Head coach Josh McDaniels was particularly emotional at a Tuesday news conference as he talked about how much McKinley loved it when he got the call as a 5th round draft pick in 2009. Wide receivers coach Adam Gase said that he always livened up meetings with his personality and sense of humor.
Moving On
Denver had scheduled Tuesday as an off day for players before resuming preparations for their internet betting matchup with Indianapolis for Wednesday but McDaniels called for a special team meeting and nearly everyone was able to make it in Tuesday morning.
The National Football League Players Association immediately set up a trust fund to help provide for McKinley’s one-year old son and his future health care and education expenses.
Denver has battled numerous injury and roster problems so far in the online betting season and finally had something to smile about last week in their 31-14 win over Seattle in the home opener.
The Broncos must now try and deal with the death of a popular teammate while facing one of the internet betting favorites to win the AFC championship. Both the Colts and the Broncos are 1-1 straight up and against the spread.