Football Betting

NFL football betting – Colts vs Packers line

Posted on 10/15/2008 4:34:10 PM By Stan Simmons

Colts vs Packers line: Indy looks to keep rolling at Lambeau

• WHO: Indianapolis Colts (-1.5) vs Green Bay Packers
• WHAT: NFL football betting
• WHEN: Sunday, October 19 at 4:15 p.m. ET
• WHERE: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin
• KEY STATS: Colts are 8-2 against the spread in last 10 games in weeks five through nine; Packers are 10-4 in last 14 games where the total is 42.5 to 49 points
• PICK: Colts -1.5

Making a Colts vs Packers pick might be split down the middle given how much the public values the Packers when they play at Lambeau Field, but home-field advantage may not matter so much this weekend. The Colts are regaining their swagger.

After struggling through the month of September with timing and rhythm, the potent Colts offense appears to be back to business, which is why the Colts vs Packers odds list the Colts as a favorite.

The Colts just hung 31 points on the top-ranked Baltimore Ravens defense and should be very confident heading into Green Bay. Quarterback Peyton Manning, who had just three touchdown passes and four interceptions through the month of September, now has five touchdowns and only one interception in his last two games. Manning has completed 70 percent of his passes and has a quarterback rating of 116.2 in October after an uncharacteristic opening month.

The star quarterback had a couple of knee operations in the offseason, which limited him in practice and kept him rusty in the first month of the season. Normally, that rust would have been knocked off in training camp and four preseason games but, since he missed that, Manning’s warm up had to come in the regular season.

There are plenty of ominous signs for the Packers this weekend, most notably, their defense. Green Bay has given up 15 passing plays of 20+ yards but they haven’t exactly faced a who’s who of quarterbacks.

They’ve faced Tarvaris Jackson, who has since been benched, Jon Kitna, who has since been benched and placed on injured reserve, Matt Ryan, who is a rookie and Charlie Frye, who is a backup. Two of the Packers’ three losses came against veteran quarterbacks Tony Romo and Brian Griese.

Sports bettors should know that the Colts play well on the road. They’ve won 14 of their 19 road games over the past three seasons and are 17-6 straight up in their last 23 road games as a favorite of three points or less. Sportsbook odds list the Colts as small favorite.

STAN’S PICK: Those evaluating the Colts vs Packers line should be aware that the Colts are 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 contests against NFC teams. Look for the Colts to continue to roll. If this game was in Week One, the Colts would be a bigger favorite so bet on Indy at this discounted price.

For the best odds and props in the business, visit the BetOnline.com Sportsbook. The Betting Edge is free for everyone and regularly offers tips on the Colts vs Packers line and other great NFL games.

Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.