Bengals Colts Betting – Bengals Drop Beleaguered Colts In Preseason Finale

Online betting players have no idea what is wrong with Indianapolis, and even though it’s preseason, the Colts haven’t looked anything like the team who went to the Super Bowl last year. The Colts will wrap up their preseason by welcoming Cincinnati to town, and the Bengals will give them some more to think about.

• What: NFL betting
• When: Thurday, September 2nd, 7:00 PM ET
• Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
• Pick: Cincinnati Bengals

What’s On The Line

Neither team’s starters did all that well in their last game, but they probably won’t play a lot in this, the last game of the preseason. The Bengals were beaten 35-20 in Terrell Owens’ return to Buffalo, while the Colts were destroyed 59-24 in Green Bay. In theory, it would be good if the starters got more reps on both sides of the ball for both teams, but the coaches will be conservative as to avoid injuries.

Offensive Matchups: Bengals Colts Betting

Carson Palmer was 9-of-11 for 95 yards and a pair of scores for the Bengals, and he finally connected with Chad Ochocinco in the end zone. It was a solid performance from the first team, and this week’s competition to watch will come at receiver as the Bengals released Antonio Bryant. That just speaks to the depth at receiver for the Bengals, especially if Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby step up.

The Colts have been struggling with illegal-snap penalties, and the new rule that umpires have to be in place before the ball is snapped is killing Indianapolis’ fast-paced rhythm. Peyton Manning was 15-of-26 for 214 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, but he was frustrated with having to wait for the umpire. The Colts’ offense is built on unpredictability and Manning’s ability to make calls at the line, and they’re going to have to readjust their system based on the new rules.

Betting Edge: Draw

Defensive Matchups: Bengals Colts Betting

The Bengals gave Buffalo three first downs because of penalties (Cincinnati had 12 penalties in all), and they’re going to have to be more disciplined in the regular season. Rookie linebacker Roderick Muckelroy had six tackles to lead the way for the Bengals, while fellow rookie end Carlos Dunlap continued his solid preseason.

The Indianapolis defense has been a royal mess throughout the preseason, and things came to a head in Green Bay, when they allowed three Packers pivots to go 33-of-47 for 337 yards and five touchdowns. They did well against the ground game, but that didn’t matter when the Packers were passing all over them. Rookie linebacker Pat Angerer had 10 tackles and has arguably been the best defender for Indy during the preseason, but that really says a lot about the defense.

Betting Edge: Bengals

Notable Injuries: Bengals Colts Betting

Safety Gibril Wilson (knee) is gone for the season, tearing his ACL and MCL.

Linebacker Gary Brackett (hand), tight end Dallas Clark (leg), receiver Austin Collie (unknown), running back Joseph Addai (concussion), offensive linemen Tony Ugoh (toe) and Charlie Johnson (foot), cornerbacks Jerraud Powers (foot) and Jacob Lacey (concussion), defensive lineman Antonio Johnson (groin), and center Jeff Saturday all figure to sit this one out.

Betting Edge: Bengals

Outlook and Pick: Bengals Colts Betting

The Colts may be favored at home by NFL betting odds, but the Bengals are better equipped to win this game. The Colts have a ton of injuries to important players, and their rhythm has been thrown off by this new officiating rule. The Bengals have had a couple of tough games in the preseason, but overall, we think their depth will pay off for a sports betting win on Thursday.

Stan’s Pick: Cincinnati Bengals