Monday, October 16, 2006
Colts are Hot
Oddsmakers aren't giving the Tennessee Titans any respect against the Indianapolis Colts. The huge spread is the biggest since 2002, when the Philadelphia Eagles were favored by -19.5 points against the Houston Texans, and was not covered in a 35-17 Eagles' win.
The Colts own the highest-scoring offense in the NFL. Indianapolis (4-0 SU & 3-1 ATS) has scored 121 points this season - one of just three teams in the league to surpass the 100-point mark - and has led the AFC in scoring the last two seasons.
The high-octane offense is the main reason for the colossal line, because we all know the Colts can put up points in bunches and in a hurry. Last week, the Colts scored 17 fourth-quarter points in their 31-28 win over the New York Jets, but the defense missed tackles costing the Colts any chance of covering the spread as the -7.5 favorites.
In 1987, the powerful San Francisco 49ers were favored by an amazing -23.5 points over the Atlanta Falcons. It was another mismatch were the chalk team failed to cover, as the 49ers won 25-17. In 1993, the 49ers were again favored by -23.5 points against the Cincinnati Bengals, and again the huge favorite failed to cover.
In fact, dating back to 1987 there's been eleven NFL teams favored by -19.5 points or more, and the chalked has prevailed just three times during that span. These numbers should make Colts' investors shutter this weekend and bolster the Titan's chances of barking as the +18 point dogs.
Indianapolis has won six consecutive games SU over Tennessee, and outscored them 66-13 in sweeping the series last year. But the average defense of the Colts may be just enough to create another failed cover by a heavily favored team.
Indianapolis allowed 321 total yards to the Jets in the before mentioned game, which converted 7-of-13 third down attempts. On the season, the Colts have allowed the second-most rushing yards in the league at 620, as opponents are gaining an average of 4.8 yards per rush.
It will be entertaining for bettors to watch if the Colts can cover. The outcome will most likely be determined by play of Peyton Manning. Manning is 6-2 SU in eight career games against the Titans, passing for 2,155 yards with 16 TDs and six interceptions. Manning has thrown for the second-most yards in the NFL this season with 1,112, and has six touchdowns to just one interception.
The Colts, along with the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears, are the only undefeated teams in the league, and a win Sunday would give them their third 5-0 start in the last four years.
Indianapolis is 16-2 at the RCA Dome since the start of the 2004 season, while Tennessee is just 4-14 on the road in that span. The Colts have outscored the Titans 119-34 in their last three home games.
Tennessee is in the midst of its worst start since 1984, when it started 0-10 while the franchise was located in Houston. The Titans have seven straight losses since last December - the longest skid under coach Jeff Fisher and the worst since 11 straight losses in 1994. As well, the Titans are 2-7 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
The Colts are a profitable 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 games as a favorite, but covering the huge spread on Sunday won't be easy.
The Colts own the highest-scoring offense in the NFL. Indianapolis (4-0 SU & 3-1 ATS) has scored 121 points this season - one of just three teams in the league to surpass the 100-point mark - and has led the AFC in scoring the last two seasons.
The high-octane offense is the main reason for the colossal line, because we all know the Colts can put up points in bunches and in a hurry. Last week, the Colts scored 17 fourth-quarter points in their 31-28 win over the New York Jets, but the defense missed tackles costing the Colts any chance of covering the spread as the -7.5 favorites.
In 1987, the powerful San Francisco 49ers were favored by an amazing -23.5 points over the Atlanta Falcons. It was another mismatch were the chalk team failed to cover, as the 49ers won 25-17. In 1993, the 49ers were again favored by -23.5 points against the Cincinnati Bengals, and again the huge favorite failed to cover.
In fact, dating back to 1987 there's been eleven NFL teams favored by -19.5 points or more, and the chalked has prevailed just three times during that span. These numbers should make Colts' investors shutter this weekend and bolster the Titan's chances of barking as the +18 point dogs.
Indianapolis has won six consecutive games SU over Tennessee, and outscored them 66-13 in sweeping the series last year. But the average defense of the Colts may be just enough to create another failed cover by a heavily favored team.
Indianapolis allowed 321 total yards to the Jets in the before mentioned game, which converted 7-of-13 third down attempts. On the season, the Colts have allowed the second-most rushing yards in the league at 620, as opponents are gaining an average of 4.8 yards per rush.
It will be entertaining for bettors to watch if the Colts can cover. The outcome will most likely be determined by play of Peyton Manning. Manning is 6-2 SU in eight career games against the Titans, passing for 2,155 yards with 16 TDs and six interceptions. Manning has thrown for the second-most yards in the NFL this season with 1,112, and has six touchdowns to just one interception.
The Colts, along with the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears, are the only undefeated teams in the league, and a win Sunday would give them their third 5-0 start in the last four years.
Indianapolis is 16-2 at the RCA Dome since the start of the 2004 season, while Tennessee is just 4-14 on the road in that span. The Colts have outscored the Titans 119-34 in their last three home games.
Tennessee is in the midst of its worst start since 1984, when it started 0-10 while the franchise was located in Houston. The Titans have seven straight losses since last December - the longest skid under coach Jeff Fisher and the worst since 11 straight losses in 1994. As well, the Titans are 2-7 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
The Colts are a profitable 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 games as a favorite, but covering the huge spread on Sunday won't be easy.
# posted by Eho @ 4:25 PM 
