Colts vs Cardinals Odds - Warner to outplay Manning in quarterback duel
This NFL game should be a matchup that has online sports betting players salivating, as Peyton Manning and Indianapolis will face Kurt Warner and Arizona in a clash of two of the league’s best quarterbacks. In what should be a high-scoring contest, look for Warner to take advantage of a missing Colt in the secondary to lead his team to a victory.
Colts vs Cardinals Odds: Cardinals -2.5 (Total: 47.5)
- WHAT: NFL Week 3 betting
- WHEN: Sunday, September 27, 8:20 PM ET
- WHERE: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
- KEY STAT: Arizona has won six of their last nine games at home
- PICK: Arizona -2.5
Colts vs Cardinals odds maker breakdown: The Storyline
The Colts (2-0) really have no business being undefeated, but clutch plays on both sides of the ball have given Indianapolis two wins in two games. The Cardinals (1-1) rebounded from a disappointing Week 1 loss, riding a record-setting performance by Kurt Warner to victory. Peyton Manning vs Warner has the possibility of being the best duel of the week.
Colts vs Cardinals odds maker breakdown: Offense
No Marvin Harrison? Anthony Gonzalez injured? That doesn’t matter to Manning, who is second in quarterback rating and has averaged over 300 yards in the first two games of the season. However, he needs the ground game to pick up the pace as Indianapolis’ rushing attack is 29th in the league. The Cardinals know all about a poor running game as they are 25th in the league on the ground, but when Warner blacks out like he did in last week’s 31-17 win over Jacksonville, you don’t need to run. Warner set a record by completing 24 of his 26 pass attempts for 243 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and he’s only going to improve once Steve Breaston and Anquan Boldin get 100% healthy. Betting Edge: Draw
Colts vs Cardinals odds maker breakdown: Defense
Indy’s defense put out one of the best performances in a long time in their 27-23 win in Miami, as they were on the field for over 45 minutes, but managed to stop the Dolphins when it counted. But the Colts’ tackling was terrible as they had no answer for Miami’s rushing attack, which racked up 239 yards, and this will hurt their sports betting chances somewhere along the line. The Cardinals forced three turnovers out of the Jaguars last week, but while they’re sixth in the league in defense, it’s not like San Francisco and Jacksonville are offensive juggernauts. They’ve struggled against the pass as well, which isn’t a good sign when you have Manning and the Colts coming to town. Betting Edge: Colts
Colts vs Cardinals odds maker breakdown: Special Teams
Neither team has a breakout return guy, but with offenses like this, field position isn’t really an issue. Breaston returned punts for the Cardinals last year, but Arizona is trying to get him back to 100%. Indy’s Adam Vinatieri and Arizona’s Neil Rackers are both very good kickers and cancel each other out, as do the punters. Betting Edge: Draw
Colts vs Cardinals odds maker breakdown: Notable Injuries
Anthony Gonzalez (knee) began his stint on the injury list last week, and Bob Sanders (foot) doesn’t look any closer to being healed. Warner (shoulder), Breaston (knee) and Boldin (hamstring) are all hurting, but getting better and should be alright for this game. Betting Edge: Cardinals
Colts vs Cardinals betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick
These two have met five times, most recently in 2006, when the Colts edged the Cardinals 17-13 at home. You may not find more similar teams going up against each other: strong passing, awful ground game, so-so defense that can play big when it needs to, and decent special teams. The Colts are 2-0, but they could very well be 0-2 if not for the exploits of Manning. The Cardinals looked much better in Week 2, and they’ve won six of their last nine at home despite losing their opener against the 49ers. No one has made the Colts pay for missing Sanders in the secondary, but Warner and his band of wide receivers will pick them apart. The last three meetings between these two have gone under the posted total, but that trend has to end soon, and it stops here. Combined, the teams are averaging 43.5 points per game, but Manning and Warner will feed off each other to spark their offenses. Take the over here. STAN’S PICK: Cardinals -2.5, OVER 47.5
For more NFL props, odds and futures such as Super bowl odds, visit our offshore sportsbook at betonline.com. For more on the Colts vs Cardinals matchup, check out our stats section. Stan Simmons is one of betonline.com's NFL experts.
