Colts vs Bengals NFL Handicapping
The red hot Cincinnati Bengals host a wildly inconsistent Indianapolis Colts team due for a loss on Sunday. Indianapolis has alternated wins and terrible performances since coming out of their bye week, meaning they’ll be due for a loss on Sunday.
Indianapolis Colts (8-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-4)
Date: Sunday, December 8, 2013
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Venue: Paul Brown Stadium
City: Cincinnati, Ohio
O/U Odds: 43.5
Spread: Cincinnati -6
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Looking at the Colts’ schedule since coming out of their break, their only wins have come against opponents from the woeful AFC South, and even then, the team has wins over Houston and Tennessee that came by just a field goal. Their latest game was a win over those very Titans by a score of 22-14.
Quarterback Andrew Luck had another forgettable game, completing 17 of 32 passes for 200 yards with a pick, getting sacked five times, although he did rush for 42 yards on five attempts. The team’s ground game saw a shift in touches, with 16 going to Donald Brown versus only five for Trent Richardson. Brown turned his 16 touches into 64 yards.
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The ball was spread around nicely by Luck, with T.Y. Hilton leading the way in catches, bringing in five balls for 46 yards. In total, the Colts were able to generate just 264 yards of total offense.
The team was helped out in a big way by a defense that was able to pick off Ryan Fitzpatrick three times, and also held each of Chris Johnson and Shonn Greene under 4.0 yard per carry.
The Bengals are coming off a far more impressive performance, beating the Chargers behind a strong defensive effort, 17-10.
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Quarterback Andy Dalton completed 14 of 23 passes for 190 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The team’s ground game really keyed the offense, with BenJarvus Green-Ellis carrying the ball 20 times for 92 yards and a score, while Giovani Bernard turned his 14 totes into 57 yards. Top receiver A.J. Green brought in five balls for 83 yards and a score.
The team’s defense bent but didn’t break, allowing the Chargers to compile 334 yards of offense, but also forcing the three turnovers.
San Diego pass-catchers Keenan Allen and Antonio Gates combined for 13 catches and 147, but each lost a fumble, and Gates had a ball wrestled away from him by Cincinnati defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick that was credited as an interception.
Middle linebacker Rey Maualuga returned from injury in that contest and came up big with 10 total tackles and a sack.
Indianapolis has been a hot mess since coming out of their bye and in a game in which they’ll have little room for error, it’s tough to imagine them going into Cincinnati and having much, if any, success against an underrated Bengals squad that has dominated at home this season.
The Bengals are 5-0 ATS at home this season.
The play: Cincinnati -6
