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Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts NFL Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd

NFL odds makers are expecting Indy to strengthen its playoff chances with a win over one of the NFL’s worst teams this week. The Colts are going after their sixth straight win against a Bengals team that only has one win on the season. The books have listed the Colts as the 13.5-point favorites with the total set at 42.

Indy has been a staple in the AFC playoffs, reaching the postseason each year since 2002. The Colts have also been the class of the AFC South division with five straight AFC South titles. During the run, the Colts captured the franchise’s second Super Bowl title in 2006. The 2008 Colts did not look anything like a Super Bowl contender through the first two months of the season, dropping four of their first seven games, including two of three at home. Indy has not lost since, capping off a perfect November with a 10-6 win at Cleveland last week. It has not been easy as the Colts five straight wins have been by a combined 20 points, but they continue to come out on the winning side of things. Odds makers feel this week’s game will be a much easier result than we have been used to seeing. Indy has not been able to chip away at its three-game deficit in the AFC South, but it is in good position to come away with one of the two wild card spots. The Colts are tied with Baltimore for fifth overall in the AFC and own the head-to-head tiebreaker after beating the Ravens on October 12. A soft December plays to the benefit of the Colts. Following this week’s game with 1-10 Cincy, the Colts take on the Lions and the Jags, which are a combined 4-20 to date. The Colts have had Cincinnati’s number in head to head competition, winning 10 of the last 13 meetings and winning by an average of 13.4 ppg over their current five-game winning streak against the Bengals. The Colts have also beat the Bengals four straight times on its home field. All-Pro QB Peyton Manning has completed 63.9 percent of his passes (108-for-169) for 1,365 yards and 14 touchdowns in winning all five career games versus Cincinnati. Offensively, the Colts certainly have the edge, but this will win come down to whether the defense can stop the Bengals enough to cover the number. The defense has been without reigning defensive player of the year Bob Sanders for three straight games as the strong safety is dealing with a right knee injury. Middle linebacker Gary Brackett is expected to miss at least two games with a broken bone in his leg. If you think Indy will continue its domination of the Bengals, bet the Colts at -13.5 at BetUS.

Perhaps it will not matter that Indy’s defense is not at full strength as the Bengals offense has posted league-worst averages for both yards and points per game with 251.8 and 12.6 respectively. Last Sunday, the Bengals totaled just 155 yards and managed a season low in points in a 34-3 home defeat to Baltimore. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had a rough day, going 12 of 31 for 124 yards and two fumbles. He was replaced by third-stringer Jordan Palmer who had one of his two pass attempts intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Fitzpatrick has six TDs, seven interceptions and eight fumbles while starting eight consecutive games in place of injured Pro Bowler Carson Palmer. Receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco provide hope for the Bengals this week. The duo has compiled 410 receiving yards and one touchdown in three games against Indianapolis. While the Bengals are 0-6 on the road this season and 2-14 since December 18 of 2006, this team was embarrassed last week and will perform much better in Week 14. If you think Cincy keeps this one within the number, bet the Bengals at +13.5 at BetUS.

Week 14 NFL betting odds are ready for action. Make sure you consult Jimmy’s NFL picks and then get ready to beat your bookie.

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