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San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts NFL Picks & Odds

Written by Jimmy Boyd

49ers colts 102809 The San Francisco 49ers look to get back on track after back-to-back losses, but it will be no easy task against the undefeated Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. San Francisco fell to 3-3 last week after its comeback attempt came up short in Houston. Meanwhile, Indy did not miss a step after its bye week, crushing the Rams 42-6. These teams last met in the 2005 season with Indy rolling 28-3 but the 49ers have won seven of the last nine meetings. NFL odds makers have listed the Indianapolis Colts as a decisive 12-point favorite with the total set at 44.

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Peyton Manning and the Indy offense has now scored 31 or more points in four straight games. If they keep rolling like they have been, it will be very difficult for the 49ers to keep up. Manning has long been a nightmare for NFC opponents with 108 career touchdown strikes in non-conference games. Reggie Wayne leads the Colts in receiving and Manning has found him for touchdown in four straight games, but I think tight end Dallas Clark in the real key to the success of this offense. Clark has quickly established himself as one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He has 38 grabs for 485 yards and three touchdowns on the season, trailing only the Texans’ Owen Daniels statistically for best tight end nod this season. In fact, Daniels just torched the 49ers for 123 yards and a touchdown last week and it could be deja vu all over again with Clark up next. It should also not go unnoticed that Clark is a very good blocking tight end when he is asked to do so.

Defensively, it’s all about Dwight Freeney. The Pro Bowl defensive end already has seven sacks on the season. 49ers offensive lineman Joe Staley is expected to get the assignment of Freeney this week and I have to give the edge to Dwight. Few offensive lineman have ever had much success in stopping his now famous spin move. It is worth noting that the Colts are on a 5-0 against the spread run after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game. If you like Indy to keep running up the score, bet the Colts at -12 at BetUS.

The 49ers have turned to the nearly forgotten Alex Smith in hopes that he can lead them back to the playoffs. History says that all he has to do is play solid and the 49ers stand an excellent chance of winning. In fact, the Niners are a perfect 5-0 when Smith posts a passer rating of 95 or better in his starts. The 49ers prefer to run the football with Frank Gore to control the clock, but Gore has been banged up this season and the running game has been inconsistent. We may really see what Smith is made of this week as the Niners may have to take to the air to keep up with the high scoring Indy offense. Smith replaced Shaun Hill at the half when the 49ers trailed Houston 21-0 and he nearly brought them all the way back, throwing for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns against one interception.

Defensively, the guy I’m watching is linebacker Patrick Willis. This guy is perhaps the best linebacker in the entire league. He can hit you hard and he is capable of making game-changing plays. He is the only player in the NFL to lead his team in both sacks and interceptions. It is worth noting that the 49ers are on a 5-0-1 against the number run as an underdog. If you like San Francisco to keep this one close, bet the 49ers at +12 at BetUS.

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