Colts Packers Betting – Manning, Colts Come Out On Top Against Rodgers, Packers
Online betting players who are into fantasy football as well will have their eyes on Lambeau Field on Thursday night as two of the most prolific quarterbacks in the league will lead their teams into battle when Green Bay hosts Indianapolis. The starters will get extended minutes in this showdown, and we’re betting on the veteran visitors to bounce back from a weak effort in their last game.
- What: NFL betting
- When: Thursday, August 26, 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
- Pick: Indianapolis Colts
What’s On The Line
The Colts didn’t look all that sharp in a 34-21 loss to Buffalo in Toronto, and it was a poor performance from the top to the bottom of the team. The Packers scored 10 points in the last eight minutes of the game to come away with a 27-24 win in Seattle, and the first-string Green Bay offense looked to be in midseason form.
Offensive Matchups: Colts Packers Betting
Peyton Manning was 8-of-15 for 91 yards, a touchdown and a pick that was taken all the way back for a touchdown. The Colts had four turnovers as a team, including three fumbles that were lost, and that’s strange from a team who are so strong fundamentally. The ground game averaged an encouraging 4.7 yards per carry, and they’ll need more of that in the regular season to take some of the pressure off of Manning, who is also missing starting center Jeff Saturday.
Aaron Rodgers was on fire against the Seahawks, going 8-of-11 for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while tight end Jermaine Finley had four catches for 48 yards and a score for the Packers, who are counting on Finley to build on his solid second half in 2009. Brandon Jackson had 11 carries for 80 yards and the game-winning 12-yard run to put the icing on the cake. He figures to back up Ryan Grant this year, and that’s extremely promising for the Packers.
Betting Edge: Draw
Defensive Matchups: Colts Packers Betting
The Colts allowed 367 yards against the Bills, which can’t be good because Buffalo’s offense is known to be one of the worst in the league. It’s never a good sign when your cornerback leads the team in tackles, but Terrail Lambert racked up nine tackles, along with a couple of passes defended. Pat Angerer had six tackles, and he has pretty much sewn up the backup spot at middle linebacker behind Gary Brackett. At least it was good to see Bob Sanders on the field, as the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year had a couple of tackles. He’ll be the key to Indy’s defense this season and remember, when Sanders won that award, the Colts won the Super Bowl.
The Packers held the Seahawks to 272 yards, but again, Seattle doesn’t have the most explosive offense in the world. Frank Zombo was a force at outside linebacker, posting five tackles, one for a loss and a sack for the Packers, while Desmond Bishop added four stops on the inside, and the Packers forced a couple of turnovers along the way. Still, discipline may be an issue as the Packers gave Seattle four first downs on penalties.
Betting Edge: Packers
Notable Injuries: Colts Packers Betting
Indy’s injuries are all to the secondary: Safety Jamie Silva (knee) and cornerback Jordan Hemby (knee) will join a couple of other Colts on the sidelines for the rest of the year. No starters have been hurt, but the depth will now be a question at the back of the defense.
Green Bay’s injuries come at linebacker: A.J. Hawk (ankle), Clay Matthews (hamstring) and Nick Barnett (knees) are being handled with kid gloves before the season starters, along with Brad Jones (shoulder). Cornerback Al Harris (knee) is out of this game, but he still thinks he’ll be ready for the regular-season opener.
Betting Edge: Colts
Outlook and Pick: Colts Packers Betting
The Packers should be the NFL betting favorites at home in what could be the best contest of a week where you’ll see a lot of starters playing, and the Manning-Rodgers matchup will have the spotlight solely focused on them. We’re banking on Manning to come back from a shaky performance against Buffalo, but Rodgers has arguably been the best quarterback of the preseason. Both teams have a lot of injuries on defense, and this could be a high-scoring affair. Go with the Colts for the sports betting upset on Thursday.
