NFL Betting – Time to Worry Colts Fans?

The Indianapolis Colts have been a colossal NFL Betting disappointment the last month or so while their Sunday combatants, Dallas, has picked up their play over that same time frame. The Indianapolis Colts will be playing for their AFC South lives on Sunday while the Dallas Cowboys will simply be playing for a little Texas pride.

DALLAS COWBOYS (3-8) vs. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-5)

Sunday, December 5, 4:15 PM ET

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Broadcast: FOX

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NFL Betting Lines:

Dallas: +5 (-110)

Indianapolis: -5 (-110)

Moneyline: Dallas +190: Indianapolis -230

Total: 47 ½ points

Without a doubt, the Dallas Cowboys have been the biggest NFL Betting busts of the season. It’s hard not to blame Wade Philips isn’t it? Jason Garrett has this team playing inspired football, the type of ball that we all expected out of this team at the beginning of the season.

Jon Kitna has filled in admirably for Tony Romo and still has the Cowboys with the 5th best passing offense in the NFL (276.31 yards per game).  He is utilizing his weapons well and is giving his team a chance to win each and every time out. With Jason Whitten, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant to throw to, there is no real excuse for failure.

So what’s the running game’s excuse? The three headed rushing monster of Jones, Barber and Choice has the Cowboys 27th ranked in the rushing department with just over 89 yards per game. To say that they have underachieved would be an understatement! With Marion Barber injured, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice will get their chance to shine without the threat of Barber snaking carries.

Has anyone seen the Dallas defense? Once a strength, this unit is clearly the weakness on the team. They rank 23rd versus the pass (244 yards per game) and 19th versus the run (114 yards per game) and they give up over 27 points per game. This unit will give Peyton Manning every opportunity to break out of his slump.

The Indianapolis Colts are Football Betting losers of three of their last four games. The defense has been typically porous and Peyton Manning has been uncharacteristically bad.

The Indianapolis offense is a worst and first unit – they are the top passing squad in the NFL (297 yards per game) and they are the third word rushing offense in the game ( 82.64 yards per game).

Peyton Manning’s passer rating has been under 100 in seven of his past eight games, he has thrown nine interceptions in his last four games and seven picks in his last two. Injuries to his receiving corp. is in part to blame – he has a serious lack of chemistry with the myriad of pass catchers that he is forced to rely on every game, but the lack of a running game is the real reason why Manning is struggling so.

The Dallas defense will be able to key on the pass – ignore the run and bring pressure against Manning. Pressure is the enemy – it forces mistakes and rattles the usually reliable Manning.

The Indianapolis run defense has been abysmal – 30th ranked and giving up 136 yards per game. Clint Sessions should return from injury this week and inject a little life into the lifeless unit.

NFL Betting Outlook:

The Dallas Cowboys are 2-6 SU in their last eight games and 4-8 ATS in their last 12. The Boys are 2-4 SU and ATS in their last six road games and are just 3-11 ATS in their last 14 December games.

The Indianapolis Colts are 17-8 SU in their last 25 games and are 19-3 SU in their last 22 home games. The Colts are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a loss.

The Indianapolis Colts should get a few key players back from the injury list and that should make a huge difference. The Colts weakness is stopping the run and the Cowboys haven’t been able to run the ball all season long. The Colts have been money on home turf (last week was a mulligan) and Manning never has three bad games in a row. Pick the Colts in a high scoring game.

NFL Betting Pick: Indianapolis Colts -5 and the Over