NFL Betting – Will The Colts Close Out The AFC South?

There will be a division championship on the line in Sunday’s NFL Betting. That’s right, with an Indianapolis win the Colts will clinch the AFC South, and with a loss will need some help from the Houston Texans. What’ll happen? Let’s investigate.

Tennessee Titans (6-9 SU,­ 7-8 ATS) at Indianapolis Colts (9-6 SU, 8-6-1 ATS)

Sunday, January 2: 1:00 p.m. CBS, Live from Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

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NFL Betting Odds:

Tennessee: +10

Indianapolis: -10

Total: 48

That’s right, after beating Jacksonville two weeks ago, the Colts now control their own destiny in the AFC South. Simply put, win and they’re in. But if not, then it’ll get complicated, as they’ll need Houston to beat the Jaguars to secure their spot. And with the way the Texans have played of late, Indianapolis would be smart to leave nothing to chance.

Then again, with the way the Colts have been playing lately, it might not ultimately matter. That’s because Indianapolis has now won three games in a row, covering the spread in the last two. And as usual, it’s all because of Mr. Peyton Manning.

Manning enters this one leading the Colts high-powered offense, one that ranks first in the NFL in passing yardage. What makes that number even more impressive is that he’s had a handful of his best weapons in and out of the lineup all season, including reliable receivers Austin Collie and Dallas Clark.

Still, despite their absence, Manning has been as good as ever, throwing for 727 yards and seven touchdowns in this three game winning streak. Running back Dominic Rhodes helped Manning’s cause last weekend, rushing for 98 yards on the ground, in just his second game of the season.

As for Indianapolis NFL Betting opponent on Sunday, the Tennessee Titans have long since lost hope of making a playoff run, but can still play spoiler here. It won’t be easy though as Tennessee has lost seven of their last eight.

What will make things especially tough for Tennessee is that they’ll enter Sunday severely short-handed. Starting quarterback Vince Young has already missed quite a bit of time this season, but to his credit, back-up Kerry Collins has adequately filled the void. Yet the key here could be what kind of production Tennessee gets out of running back Chris Johnson. The third-year player and 1,000 yard rusher was held to one of his worst performances last Sunday against Kansas City, when he tallied just 58 yards on the ground.

And truthfully, with everything that’s gone wrong in Tennessee, and everything that’s on the line for Indianapolis, we see no reason not to make the Colts your pick.

Here’s the simple truth: Forget the fact that Kerry Collins will be under center for the Titans. Forget the fact that Chris Johnson is coming off a bad game. Is there any chance- with a playoff trip on the line- Peyton Manning doesn’t come through?

We didn’t think so either.

Go ahead and take the Colts as the NFL Betting pick this Sunday. Whatever regrets you might have from New Year’s Eve, this won’t be one of them.

NFL Betting Pick: Indianapolis -10