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Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts NFL Betting Odds & Picks

The hottest team in the NFL takes on the coldest as the 9-4 Colts, riding a six-game winning streak, takes on the 0-13 Lions this Sunday. Detroit is coming off yet another narrow defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions jumped out to a 6-0 lead and led 13-10 at the end of third quarter but could not get rid of its season-long goose egg. The Colts are enjoying the easiest part of their schedule. Last week’s 35-3 win over the Bengals marked the second of four straight games against teams with losing records. Indy was a 13.5-point home favorite against the Bengals and odds make have listed the Colts as a 16.5-point favorite with the total set at 45.5 this week.

The Colts have more than made up for their 3-4 start with six straight victories. While wins over the Browns and Bengals the past two weeks are nothing to write home about, the Colts have beaten NFC North-leading Minnesota, AFC North power Baltimore, the rival Patriots, and the AFC North-leading Steelers this season. So it appears once again that the Colts will be a team to be reckoned with in the postseason. Offseason knee surgery slowed All-Pro QB Peyton Manning early on, but now it appears that he is performing at a high level once again. Manning has 3,225 yards and 22 touchdown passes on the season. Indy’s passing offense has been very strong, especially at home where the Colts are averaging 25.2 ppg. Indy’s passing offense is averaging 260 yards per game. The reason why the NFL odds makers have made Indy such a lopsided favorite is because of the problems the Lions have had on the defensive side of the football, particularly against the run. While Indy is not a strong running team, the Lions are getting gashed for 200 yards per game on the ground this season. Indy figures to be able to run on the Lions which will open up some strong play action opportunities for Manning to get Reggie Wayne down the field. Wayne has 67 grabs for 918 yards on the year. If you like Indianapolis to beat the double digit chalk once again, bet the Colts at -16.5 at Bookmaker.

While taking Detroit on the money line has shown exceptional value for underdog NFL betting lovers, it is yet to payoff in 2008. However, there has been some value in taking Detroit against the spread as an underdog. The Lions are a profitable 5-4 against the number over their last nine games and have been an overs machine, going over the total in five of their last six games. The Lions did look much better last week against division leader Minnesota. Daunte Culpepper showed shades of his former Pro Bowl days by passing for 220 yards and a touchdown. He also made several plays with his legs. The Lions could have easily won the game against the Lions if they would have converted touchdowns instead of field goals on their red zone opportunities, but that has been the story all season long – finding ways to lose. If Culpepper and the offense have a chance to mesh again this week against an Indy defense that is having nearly as much trouble shutting down the run as Detroit. The Colts are allowing 145 yards on the ground at home this season and a 4.6 ypg average. The Lions have struggled to get the running game going all season long, but perhaps it can against one of the weakest run-stopping teams in the NFL. If you think Indy’s inability to stop the run keeps Detroit within the number, bet the Lions at +16.5 at Bookmaker.

Let Jimmy Boyd’s NFL picks help you bring home the bacon this week.

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