Colts at Saints
The Indianapolis Colts roll into the Big Easy to play the New Orleans Saints on the ESPN Sunday night telecast. This will be the first of two consecutive nationally televised road appearances against NFC South competition.
As of Saturday night, most offshore books have the Colts as 1 ½-point road favorites, with the total set at 42 ½.
The Colts are looking to go 4-0 both SU and ATS for the first time since 1996. This team features a ball control offense that runs through running back Edgerrin James. The Colts also have increased offensive balance with the emergence of wide receiver Reggie Wayne and new tight end Dallas Clark.
That gives QB Peyton Manning more non-Harrison options than ever. Manning will be playing in his native Louisiana with a large contingent of family and friends in attendance.
The Colts reach this game after consecutive divisional home victories. They topped Tennessee two weeks ago as a three-point favorite, 33-7, and then defeated Jacksonville as a 7 ½-point ‘chalk,’ 23-13.
The ‘under’ has cashed in each of Indianapolis’ first three outings.
Indianapolis now features a stifling defense that is allowing a scant 8.6 points per game.
The New Orleans Saints are off a demoralizing 27-12 loss to the Titans as a 4 ½-point road underdog. They were also out-gained 385 yards to 189.
Coach Jim Haslett will, most assuredly, use the “personal pride” hot button to give a kick start to running back Deuce McAllister (11 carries for eight yards last week). The Saints star is seeking his third 100-yard rushing game in his past four games versus AFC opponents.
Controlling the game through the run will make quarterback Aaron Brooks more effective and protect a decimated defense missing five starters due to injury.
New Orleans will place a large share of the workload on the shoulders of McAllister, who will need to collect 30 or more carries for the Saints to win this game. Wide receiver Donte Stallworth seeks his third consecutive game with a touchdown versus an AFC opponent. He has nine touchdowns in 15 career games.
These clubs haven’t met since 2001 when the Saints registered a 34-20 victory as a six-point home favorite. The combined 54 points leaped ‘over’ the closing 48-point total.
INJURIES
Colts
OUT: T Ryan Diem (ankle); CB Joseph Jefferson (pelvis). DOUBTFUL: WR Brandon Stokley (hamstring); CB Donald Strickland (groin). QUESTIONABLE: DE Dwight Freeney (ankle/abdomen); RB James (back); RB Dominic Rhodes (knee). PROBABLE: S Cory Bird (hamstring); S Jason Doering (finger); CB Walt Harris (knee); DT Brandon Hicks (knee); T Adam Meadows (knee); TE Marcus Pollard (illness); DT Montae Reagor (back); C Jeff Saturday (back); G Steve Sciullo (foot).
Saints
OUT: CB Dale Carter (eye); LB Sedrick Hodge (knee); DE Darren Howard (wrist); DT Johnathan Sullivan (knee). DOUBTFUL: LB Cie Grant (knee). PROBABLE: DT Henry Ford (ankle); LB Roger Knight (ankle); LB Rodgers (neck); RB Terrelle Smith (knee).
TRENDS
The road team is 2-5 ATS in the last seven meetings in this series.
The Colts are just 8-16 ATS the last 24 efforts when the opening total is set between 42 ½ and 49.
The ‘under’ has cashed in the Colts’ last five games.
The Saints are 6-10 ATS in their last 16 home contests.
The ‘over’ is 11-6 in New Orleans’ last 17 home efforts.
www.therx.com
The Indianapolis Colts roll into the Big Easy to play the New Orleans Saints on the ESPN Sunday night telecast. This will be the first of two consecutive nationally televised road appearances against NFC South competition.
As of Saturday night, most offshore books have the Colts as 1 ½-point road favorites, with the total set at 42 ½.
The Colts are looking to go 4-0 both SU and ATS for the first time since 1996. This team features a ball control offense that runs through running back Edgerrin James. The Colts also have increased offensive balance with the emergence of wide receiver Reggie Wayne and new tight end Dallas Clark.
That gives QB Peyton Manning more non-Harrison options than ever. Manning will be playing in his native Louisiana with a large contingent of family and friends in attendance.
The Colts reach this game after consecutive divisional home victories. They topped Tennessee two weeks ago as a three-point favorite, 33-7, and then defeated Jacksonville as a 7 ½-point ‘chalk,’ 23-13.
The ‘under’ has cashed in each of Indianapolis’ first three outings.
Indianapolis now features a stifling defense that is allowing a scant 8.6 points per game.
The New Orleans Saints are off a demoralizing 27-12 loss to the Titans as a 4 ½-point road underdog. They were also out-gained 385 yards to 189.
Coach Jim Haslett will, most assuredly, use the “personal pride” hot button to give a kick start to running back Deuce McAllister (11 carries for eight yards last week). The Saints star is seeking his third 100-yard rushing game in his past four games versus AFC opponents.
Controlling the game through the run will make quarterback Aaron Brooks more effective and protect a decimated defense missing five starters due to injury.
New Orleans will place a large share of the workload on the shoulders of McAllister, who will need to collect 30 or more carries for the Saints to win this game. Wide receiver Donte Stallworth seeks his third consecutive game with a touchdown versus an AFC opponent. He has nine touchdowns in 15 career games.
These clubs haven’t met since 2001 when the Saints registered a 34-20 victory as a six-point home favorite. The combined 54 points leaped ‘over’ the closing 48-point total.
INJURIES
Colts
OUT: T Ryan Diem (ankle); CB Joseph Jefferson (pelvis). DOUBTFUL: WR Brandon Stokley (hamstring); CB Donald Strickland (groin). QUESTIONABLE: DE Dwight Freeney (ankle/abdomen); RB James (back); RB Dominic Rhodes (knee). PROBABLE: S Cory Bird (hamstring); S Jason Doering (finger); CB Walt Harris (knee); DT Brandon Hicks (knee); T Adam Meadows (knee); TE Marcus Pollard (illness); DT Montae Reagor (back); C Jeff Saturday (back); G Steve Sciullo (foot).
Saints
OUT: CB Dale Carter (eye); LB Sedrick Hodge (knee); DE Darren Howard (wrist); DT Johnathan Sullivan (knee). DOUBTFUL: LB Cie Grant (knee). PROBABLE: DT Henry Ford (ankle); LB Roger Knight (ankle); LB Rodgers (neck); RB Terrelle Smith (knee).
TRENDS
The road team is 2-5 ATS in the last seven meetings in this series.
The Colts are just 8-16 ATS the last 24 efforts when the opening total is set between 42 ½ and 49.
The ‘under’ has cashed in the Colts’ last five games.
The Saints are 6-10 ATS in their last 16 home contests.
The ‘over’ is 11-6 in New Orleans’ last 17 home efforts.
www.therx.com
