New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts Betting Preview
Opening Line: Colts -2.5
Total Odds: 44.5
Time: 8 PM EST Saturday January 8, 2011 on NBC
After a mid season slump the Colts (10-6) won their last 4 games including their last one, which wrapped up the AFC South title. The Jets snagged one of the AFC Wild Card spots and their pass defense will be tested by Peyton Manning and the top-ranked passing attack in the NFL.
The Colts only have the 29th ranked rushing offense and even though they gained 101 yards in their last win of the season they will face the Jets, who have one of the best run defenses in the league. Manning and the Colts’ offense will likely have to light up the scoreboard, as even though they won their last 4 games they gave up an average of 24.5 ppg in that span.
In their last games of the season the Colts beat the Tennessee Titans 23-20 and the Jets had no problem beating the Buffalo Bills 38-7.
Both teams were mediocre betting teams this season with the Colts at 8-7-1 ATS and the Jets at 9-7 ATS. The Colts have only covered the spread one time in their last 5 home games.
Manning passed for 264 yards with 2 TD and 0 INT in the win over the Titans and he will likely have a solid game this Saturday, but he cannot turn the ball over. While the Jets have a good pass defense they only rank 25th in the league with 12 picks. The RB duo of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai combined for 92 rushing yards in the win over the Titans, but can they help Manning out against New York and their 3rd ranked run defense?
The Jets dominated the Bills on D holding them to only 125 passing yards and 37 rushing yards, but Manning and company will give them a tougher test, obviously.
The Jets’ offense has averaged 36 ppg in their last 2 games and they will be well-rested for this game, as LaDainian Tomlinson, Shonn Greene, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie all sat out the Bills’ game and Mark Sanchez only played in the beginning. The Colts’ pass defense ranks a respectable 13th, but their rushing defense only ranks 25th giving up an average of 127 rushing yards per game. They played great in holding the Titans and Chris Johnson to only 51 rushing yards and if they can do that again they have a great chance to win.
Much like all season and the last few all the pressure is on Manning to carry the Colts, but if he does not have to do it all getting help from the running game and defense the Colts will move on in the playoffs.
In some other betting trends for this AFC playoff games:
Indianapolis is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite, 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite of 0.5-3, and has an Over record of 5-1-1 in their last 7 games.
New York is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a road underdog of 0.5-3, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games against teams with a winning home record, and has an Over record of 5-0 in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
Our Selection : Take the Colts -2.5 at 5Dimes.com.