Lines, Odds, Picks and Preview |
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals (-4), Total 35.5
Indianapolis has dropped all three preseason games straight-up, but did manage to cover the spread in its 24-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers as nine-point home underdogs.
The Colts were out-gained by just 54 yards in that contest, which is much better than the 265-yard deficit that it was under in a 16-3 home loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 2.
Regular starting quarterback Peyton Manning has not participated in a single snap during the preseason and nobody in the franchise knows if he’ll be ready for the season opener against Houston on Sept. 11.
Fans were concerned that his offseason neck surgery may in fact keep him out for a much-longer period of time, but the team just activated him from the physically unable to perform list earlier this week.
Cincinnati continues to be a franchise in disarray despite picking up its first preseason victory of the season.
Starting running back Cedric Benson pleaded no contest for an assault charge in a May 2010 incident and will be serving jail time starting on Oct. 17.
Also, the squad has cut all ties of the Carson Palmer era by releasing his younger brother, who was fighting for the No. 3 quarterback spot on the roster.
The Bengals are likely to start the year with rookie signal-caller Andy Dalton, which will lead to a rebuilding season.
Bettors are likely to side with the Bengals due to their 4-1 ATS mark in preseason home games, while the Colts are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 exhibition contests.
