Colts – Cowboys
Time: 3:25 PM CST
Spread: DAL -3.5
Total: 55
Betting odds c/o Bookmaker
The Dallas Cowboys are 10-4 and sit atop the NFC East. This week the Cowboys host the Indianapolis Colts in what promises to be a close game. Early NFL live odds showed the Cowboys as 3.5 point favorites at NFL oddsmaker Bookmaker.
The Cowboys have reeled off back-to-back victories over the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles and have now won four of its past five contests. Over the last two wins, the Cowboys have outscored Chicago and Philly 79 to 55, and last week Tony Romo threw for 265 yards on 22-of-31 passing while succumbing to three sacks for a loss of 16 yards.
Still, his 129.1 QB rating was a testament to the receiving of Dez Bryant and company. Bryant caught six passes for 114 yards and scored all three Cowboys’ receiving TDs. DeMarco Murray turned in another impressive performance with a pair of TDs and 81 yards on 31 carries (just 2.6 yards per attempt). Murray has amassed 1,687 yards on the year with 11 TDs, and had 179 yards in the 41-28 victory over Chicago in Week 14.
Bryant has caught for 70 yards or more the past three contests and has had a total of 16 receptions over those games. TE Jason Whitten had a fine game last week with seven catches for 69 yards after managing just three catches for 34 yards in the previous two games. The Cowboys split the pair with the Eagles in Weeks 13 & 15, and will look to improve to .500 at home. Conversely, the Cowboys are a perfect 7-0 on the road this season.
The Indianapolis Colts have run away with the AFC South as winners of 10 of 14 this season, far ahead of the 7-7 Houston Texans. Few expected any other outcome from this division, but the Colts will look to have a chance at tying either Denver or New England for the best record in the AFC if things go according to the best case scenario, at least.
The Colts are 4-2 on the road this season and have won its past four games over Jacksonville, Washington, Cleveland and Houston. Closing the season out against the horrible Tennessee Titans all but guarantees a 12 win season, and today’s victory would put the pressure on both the Broncos and Patriots.
Andrew Luck has thrown for 4,492 yards this season at a 61.4 percent clip. His 309.4 yards per game and 7.8 yards per attempt help reflect his 97.5 passer rating, but his 26 sacks are problematic. Luck has thrown 38 TDs and 14 INTs this season, for an INT percentage of 2.4. Lead running back Trent Richardson has been a workhorse with 151 carries for 507 yards on the season. Ahmad Bradshaw has been consistent and scored a pair of TDs on the season.
Luck ties Richardson with three TDs for the team-lead in rushing touchdowns. Bradshaw has fumbled three times, which is only worsted by Luck’s four. Keeping control of the football has been a problem, in other words.
Online football betting features at 55 point total in what promises to be a high scoring game with a lot of great action.
Betting Trends:
IND: The OVER is 4-0 in the Colts last 4 games after allowing less than 15 points in previous game; The Colts are 0-3-1 ATS vs a team with a winning record; The Colts are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 games in Week 16.
DAL: The Cowboys are 0-4 ATS In the last 4 games in Week 16. The Cowboys are 0-4 in the last 4 on turf. The Cowboys are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in the previous game.
Injury Report:
IND, Q: V Davis, T Hilton
IND, Out: H Thornton, J Reitz, G Cherilus, A Bradshaw, X Nixon, D Thomas, R Mathis, C Johnson, A Morgan, M Hall, D Howell, F Moala, V Ballard, U John, S Loiseau
DAL, Prob: D Murray, R McClain
DAL, Q: Z Martin, D Free, D Watson, J Brent, A Okoye, D Weems, J Crawford, M Claiborne, J Durant, S Lee, B Gardner
