Colts vs. Falcons Point Spread: NFL Week 16 Odds, Prediction
The Colts look toward their final road game of the season after storming to a 30-13 victory over Pittsburgh last weekend. The Falcons return home after squandering a golden opportunity to maintain at least a share of top spot in the NFC South standings by dropping a 9-7 decision in Carolina last weekend, and have now lost five of their past seven contests overall, and three of four at home.
The Colts continue to be undervalued on the NFL odds, where they are pegged as 2.5-point road underdogs. The Falcons sport -135 NFL moneyline odds, and the total is listed at 44.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
SU and against the spread winners in five of their past six contests, the Colts have enjoyed success by the narrowest margins, with three of their past four victories coming by a single score. But with Indy being favoured by no more than 2.5 points during a very favourable stretch of schedule they have emerged as one of the best bets of the season while going 9-5 ATS. However, things have not gone so well for the Colts as betting underdogs, with the squad losing four straight while sporting positive odds and covering just once over that stretch. Conversely, the Falcons have been a massive betting disappointment while compiling a 4-10 ATS record including a brutal 2-5 ARTS mark at home, and have seen their four outright wins this season come against opponents outside the playoff picture. The Falcons haven’t helped their own cause while scoring just 15 points per game in their past three matchups, and have won and covered just once in their past six December home games.
Indianapolis Colts
Few observers had penciled in Gardner Minshew as the quarterback that would lead the Colts back to respectability this season, but the colourful 27-year-old has done just that, guiding the Colts into a three-way tie for first place in the AFC South standings, alongside Jacksonville and Houston, with an 8-6 SU record. Minshew lit up the Steelers with three touchdown passes last weekend and has now found the end zone on six occasions over the past three weeks while tossing just one total pick. Minshew has developed great chemistry with receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who has averaged 96.3 receiving yards and topped the 100-yard mark twice over the past four games. Pittman’s status for Sunday is uncertain as he deals with a concussion that has kept him out of practice. But his absence should not slow down Minshew, who found three different receivers for touchdowns last weekend. The Colts have also received a lift from Jonathan Taylor’s return to practice this week after being sidelined by a thumb injury.
Atlanta Falcons
A rain-soaked field and a pair of turnovers worked against the Falcons in last weekend’s 9-7 loss to the Panthers. Now trailing New Orleans and Tampa Bay by one game in the NFC South standings, the Falcons have their backs against the wall in their bid to return to the postseason. In addition to their current two-game slide, the Falcons have lost four of five on home turf, and have been a brutal disappointment as home chalk, losing outright in three straight and going winless against the spread in their past five. While the Falcons offence can be forgiven for their struggles in the rain last week, they need to find a way to keep pace with opposing attacks. Quarterback Desmond Ridder has tossed for one TD in each of his past four outings, but has failed to be a difference maker. The Falcons defence has also sputtered, particularly at home, where they have allowed almost 25 points per game while losing three of four. Expect the dream to end for the Dirty Birds on Sunday afternoon.
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