Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Sunday, December 5, 2010, 4:15 pm EST, TV: FOX
Opening Line: Colts -5
Current Line: Colts -5
Opening Total: 48
Current Total: 47.5
Money Line: Colts -230 / Cowboys +190
The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) will try to get back on track and stay on top of the AFC South when they host the Dallas Cowboys (3-8) on Sunday. The Colts (-5) remain tied with Jacksonville atop the division, but they have dropped three of their last four games and are coming off their worst loss of the season. Indy fell 36-14 at home last week to San Diego on Sunday Night Football, and three of the team’s other four losses were all decided by three points or less.
Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning is suffering through the worst slump of his career, throwing seven interceptions in the last two games, which is his highest two-game total ever. Manning has struggled more against the Chargers than any other team and continued to perform poorly in last week’s loss, throwing four picks, including two that were returned for touchdowns.
Injuries have hurt the Colts lately, as they played without wide receiver Austin Collie (concussion) and running back Joseph Addai (neck, shoulder) while All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark (wrist) was lost earlier this season and is out for the year. Collie did not practice on Friday and is listed as questionable while Addai missed practice as well and remains doubtful.
The Cowboys do not want to hear about injuries because they have played without starting quarterback Tony Romo since he suffered a severe shoulder injury against the Giants in Week 7. Veteran Jon Kitna has played well in his place though, especially in the last three games since former offensive coordinator Jason Garrett took over as head coach for Wade Phillips.
Kitna has thrown for 687 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions in the last three games, completing 69.3 percent of his passes. He will play a key role in trying to help Dallas overcome a 4-8 record in December over the last four seasons following a tough 30-27 home loss to New Orleans on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys had won their previous two games under Garrett and have shown they are much-improved in terms of preparation and execution on the field.
One statistic that has remained the same despite the coaching change is the trend of high-scoring games for Dallas. The OVER has cashed in the team’s last eight games, which could get tested by Indy’s defense at Lucas Oil Stadium. The UNDER is 3-0-1 in the last four home games for the Colts, who are 3-1 straight-up and against the spread in the last four meetings.
Now that you have read this football betting preview featuring the Colts & Cowboys, check out the NFL odds on this and all the games to compare the best lines at multiple sportsbooks.
