Rams vs. Colts Point Spread: NFL Week 4 Odds, Prediction
Week 4 of the 2023 NFL season features a rare meeting between the Indianapolis Colts and L.A. Rams. The Colts lead the AFC South with a 2-1 record and come into Sunday’s clash fresh off a 22-19 overtime victory in Baltimore last week. After a surprise season-opening win against Seattle, the Rams have dropped two straight, including last week’s 19-16 loss in Cincinnati.
Indy sits as a 1.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Rams have won the last three head-to-heads between these teams. This is the first meeting since Week 2 of L.A.’s 2021 Super Bowl winning season. The Rams took that game 27-24 in Indianapolis. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 278 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in just his second game with L.A. Carson Wentz was under centre for the Colts, but he was traded to Washington following the season and is now a free agent.
The Rams have been a decent cover option early in the season as they are 2-0-1 against the spread, with last week’s game ending in a push. Two of three games have finished Under the total. Dating back to last season, L.A. has dropped eight of their last nine road games.
Indy is 2-1 against the spread this season, but they failed to cover in their only other previous home game. They’ve hit the Over in two of three games, but it’s worth noting that the total has gone Under in four of their last five October games. It’s also worth pointing out the Colts have dropped six straight home contests.
Los Angeles Rams
Injuries to the offensive line are really starting to affect the Rams. After being sacked just once through the first two games of the season, Stafford was brought down six times against the Bengals. Left tackle Alaric Jackson left early with a thigh injury and was replaced with lineman Zachary Thomas, who had only played one previous offensive snap in his career. Right guard Joe Noteboom was forced out of the game with a knee injury. There’s been no update to Jackson or Noteboom’s injury statuses.
Stafford completed 18 of 33 pass attempts in Monday’s loss, finishing with 269 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Through three games, Stafford has thrown for 910 yards (fourth-most in NFL), but has just two TD passes compared to four interceptions. Rookie receiver Puka Nacua continues to thrive, hauling in 30 receptions through three games, the most receptions through three games in Rams history.
Indianapolis Colts
It’s not often a kicker manages to upstage everyone on the field, but Indy’s Matt Gay managed to do it in last week’s overtime victory in Baltimore. Gay was a perfect 5-for-5 on field goal attempts and made a record four kicks from beyond 50 yards. He hit a 53-yarder to tie the game late in the fourth quarter and another 53-yarder to win it in overtime. Quarterback Gardner Minshew played in place of injured rookie Anthony Richardson last week, throwing for 227 yards and a touchdown. Zack Moss put up 122 rushing yards on 30 carries.
Richardson remains in concussion protocol, but head coach Shane Steichen has ended any talk of a quarterback controversy, saying the fourth overall draft pick will start when he’s healthy. In two games, Richardson has completed 30 of 47 passes for 279 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Minshew is 46-of-69 for 398 yards and two TDs in two appearances.
LAR
IND