Buccaneers vs. Colts Point Spread: NFL Week 12 Odds, Prediction
The castaway quarterbacks have done a solid job all things considered too, as Mayfield’s Bucs are still in the NFC South race mainly because of his efforts while Minshew’s come in relief and brought Indianapolis to 5-5.
Unfortunately one of these teams’ playoff chances will take a drastic hit with a loss this weekend, so only the better of these two entertainers will keep receiving this praise. Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium gets started at 1 p.m. EST with the Colts -2.5 on home field and the over-under at 44 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Buccaneers are a perfect 5-0 against the spread when playing on the road this season. Four of those five road games have gone over the total, and the same is true for four of Indianapolis’ five home games. The last time Indianapolis hosted an NFC South club (New Orleans, Week 8) there was a total of 65 points. The last time Tampa Bay travelled to an AFC South club (Houston, Week 9) there was a total of 76 points. Both the Bucs and Colts lost those games too.
Head-to-head the Colts are 5-1-1 ATS in these teams last seven meetings. Tampa Bay’s also 4-0-2 ATS in their last six outings against the AFC South, so both teams are bringing some positive trends to the table — as well as that aforementioned over trend.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs felt the wrath of the 49ers last Sunday and are still recovering according to this week’s injury report. Cornerbacks Carlton Davis (hip) and Jamel Dean (ankle/foot) as well as Lavonte David (groin) all exited the 27-14 to San Francisco and two of the three couldn’t practice Wednesday, while Davis was a limited participant.
Offensively, Tampa Bay’s hit a bit of a wall too. Tampa’s now failed to go over 20 points for the fifth time in six weeks following their bye week. Mayfield’s been steady through the air but a complete lack of a run game has hurt the Bucs all season long. Tampa Bay’s last in the NFL with 76.9 rushing yards per game and don’t have a single 100-yard rushing performance this season.
Indianapolis Colts
Following a successful trip to Europe, well at least for the defence at least who played a large role in the 10-6 win, the Colts had a bye week to re-charge and evaluate. And among those evaluations was waiving once-star linebacker Shaq Leonard who the team clearly felt had lost a step after some serious injuries. The play of Zaire Franklin certainly helps too. Franklin’s 117 tackles ranks third in the NFL as he and the other Colts stars have elevated their play over inferior opponents in past weeks.
Sunday’s another chance to do so, and another week for the Colts to pound the ball on offence. Jonathan Taylor only averaged three yards per carry in Indy’s win before the bye, but 23 carries indicate Taylor’s back to being the focal point in this offence.
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