Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Thursday, 8/28/14, 7:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Cincinnati -3
Current Betting Line: Cincinnati -2.5
Opening Total: 43
Current Total: 41.5
Odds Courtesy of 5Dimes
Indianapolis will meet up with Cincinnati for the 14th consecutive preseason, which includes a 27-10 setback on the road in last year’s exhibition finale at Paul Brown Stadium, which is important to consider when looking over the NFL betting lines. The Colts were pleased to welcome back wide receiver Reggie Wayne to the field after his rehab from suffering a season-ending injury in Week 7 last year, while quarterback Andrew Luck completed 10 of 18 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown with an interception in a 23-17 home defeat to the New Orleans Saints last week.
The Colts first-team offense generated 10 points and 167 yards in their six series on the field against the Saints, but their pass protection was spotty at best, which kept Luck from getting in sync. Indianapolis running back Trent Richardson didn’t do much to show that he’s ready for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart, as his preseason totals now sit at 48 yards on 18 carries.
Cincinnati earned its first exhibition win with a 19-13 triumph over the Arizona Cardinals as 2.5-point road underdogs last week, while going UNDER the betting total for the first time in three contests. The Bengals first-team defense was sound throughout the affair, with starters primarily playing through the second quarter, with tackle Geno Atkins seeing extended time for the first time after returning from an ACL injury from last season. The stop unit ranked fifth in the NFL in allowing just 19.1 points per game in 2013—something to consider when making your NFL betting picks Thursday night.
The Bengals are 7-2 SU against the Colts in the preseason under head coach Marvin Lewis, while dropping four of six meetings during regular season play in that situation. Cincinnati’s main players offensively will try to work out some timing issues on the practice field leading up to its regular season opener, as quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green missed some opportunities in the vertical passing game during exhibition play.
Sports bettors will likely back the Colts due to their 6-1 SUATS mark in preseason play under head coach Chuck Pagano when listed as an underdog of less than three points.
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