NFL football betting - Colts vs Titans odds in AFC South tilt
Posted on 10/21/2008 3:05:17 PM
By Stan Simmons
Colts vs Titans odds: changing of the guard in AFC South?
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WHO: Indianapolis Colts (+4.5) vs Tennessee Titans (-4.5)
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WHAT: NFL football betting
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WHEN: Monday, October 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET
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WHERE: LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee
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KEY STATS: Colts are 8-3 against the spread in last 10 games during Weeks 5-9; 12-2 against the spread in last 14 games versus division opponents
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PICK: Tennessee -4.5
Sportsbook odds have cautiously listed the Titans as a small favorite in their upcoming Monday Night Football contest. The Colts vs Titans spread has the Titans as a 4.5-point favorite in a battle between two AFC South rivals.
At 3-3, the Colts are not exactly where they expected to be. Online betting sharps expected much more and they are well aware that, without a miracle win at Minnesota and Houston, the Colts could very easily be 1-5.
Making the playoffs has rarely even come in question for the Colts during the Tony Dungy era but another loss could put their season in peril.
There are problems aplenty for the Colts, including an offense that once ranked among the best in the NFL. Online sports betting aficionados know as well as anyone that the Colts defense has never been anything to write home about either, but now the offense is also flailing.
The Colts rank 19th in offensive yards and points, highly uncharacteristic of this squad. They haven’t had a 100-yard rusher in the last 14 regular season games. How about those dynamic Colts wide receivers, you ask? Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne combined for just four catches and 35 yards last weekend.
On the flipside, the Titans can do no wrong. Online betting players have cashed in six straight times as the Titans have covered in every game this season. They now enjoy the NFL’s most feared defense, which has been stifling opponents weekly. The Titans haven’t allowed more than 17 points in a single game this season and have allowed an average of 11 points per outing.
Without reputations, sportsbook odds should list the Titans as touchdown favorite but, given the Colts’ pedigree—along with Peyton Manning at the helm—Indy is still getting respect on this betting line.
Realistically, these two teams have been vastly different on the field. The Titans are now among the AFC—and Super Bowl—front runners while the Colts are toiling and might not even make the postseason.
STAN’S PICK: The biggest problem the Colts will face on Monday Night Football is two-fold: their rushing defense is giving up 153.5 yards per game on the ground and they’ve only generated 10 quarterback sacks this season (four of which came against the Baltimore Ravens).
The Titans are a run-first team and, as long as they can keep it moving on the ground, they’ll be effective by avoiding mistakes and putting their defense in good positions. That same defense has only given up one passing touchdown all season. For Colts vs Titans betting, bet on the Tennessee Titans.
For more NFL odds and lines, check out the BetOnline.com Sportsbook. The Betting Edge regularly features tips on Colts vs Titans odds and other NFL betting.
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.
