Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Monday, 10/3/11, 8:30 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Tampa Bay -10
Current Betting Line: Tampa Bay -10
Opening Total: 42
Current Total: 40
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Indianapolis will be starting Curtis Painter under center for the first time in his career as the team looks to turn around an 0-3 start to the year. “He’s certainly made good strides during the course of the week,” commented Colts head coach Jim Caldwell. “He’s got a good rhythm going right now, and yesterday’s practice was very good.” The former Purdue Boilermakers signal-caller came off the bench to complete 5 of 11 passes for 60 yards in a 23-20 loss to Pittsburgh in last Sunday night’s prime-time contest. Indianapolis is 21-17 ATS over the last two-plus years and 11-5 ATS on the road over that span.
The Colts are obviously still dealing with the shock of not having star Peyton Manning in the huddle, as he will continue to help out in the press box. Indianapolis has been hammered by other injuries, including losses of linebacker Gary Brackett and safety Melvin Bullitt. So far, Pat Angerer has done a commendable job in the middle of the defense, tallying 20 tackles a week ago. Defensively, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will continue to spearhead that effort, tallying 37 and 34 sacks respectively over the last 48 games.
Tampa Bay is set to host its first Monday Night Football game since the 2003 season, as the team was featured in the prime-time event 14 times from 1998 through 2008. The Buccaneers have just one veteran that has experienced the bright lights that comes along with the contest. “We’ve been toiling down here in Tampa for a long time, unrecognized,” commented Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber. “That’s the only game in town that night, everybody’s watching.” Tampa Bay is 17-16 ATS over the last two-plus campaigns and 4-12 ATS at home.
The Buccaneers have bounce back from a 27-20 season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions as one-point home favorites, handing losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. Tampa Bay will be in a different type of spread atmosphere tonight, laying double digits in most places, which is far different than having its first three games within just a point on either side of a pick’ em. Quarterback Josh Freeman has completed 67.9 percent of his passes through three games, but has also thrown for four interceptions and just two touchdowns. His quarterback rating is nearly 20 points lower than last year’s 95.9 mark.
Bettors will likely back the Buccaneers due to their 6-1 ATS record following a straight-up win, while the Colts are 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall.
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