New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts: Point spread and odds

It's time for the previews of another week of NFL football, starting with the Sunday game New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts and we will look at the point spread and betting odds on this match-up. Just one year ago these two NFL teams met and the New England Patriots (5-2) had a bit of tough time beating the Indianapolis Colts (3-4) to go on and finish a perfect season. But this football season the absence of star quarterback Tom Brady is clearly felt and the bookmakers have made the Colts a big favorite for Sunday, when the welcome the Patriots to Lucas Oil Stadium.

At the online sportsbook Bookmaker, the odds are heavily stacked against the Pats; the bookie has listed Indianapolis Colts as -275 odds favorite to win the game, while the Patriots are big underdog, sitting on odds +235 to win straight up on Sunday night. The New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts point spread is currently at -6 points chalk the Colts with the total expected by the odds makers at 44 points. Betting trends show that New England is 3-10 against the spread in its last 13 games, but the Patriots are 14-2-1 against the spread in their last 17 games when playing on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. Also keep in mind that the total has gone OVER in 4 of Indianapolis's last 5 games when playing at home against New England.

These betting numbers and point spread are an enormous testament to the lack of faith in the Pats of doing anything extraordinary without Brady. Injury-wise the Patriots are the better suited team, yet the Colts are the big favorite to win the game. Patriots linebacker Shawn Crable, RB Sammy Morris, cornerbacks Ellis Hobbs and Lewis Sanders all missed Wednesday practice, while RB LaMont Jordan, and wide receivers Randy Moss and Matt Slater had a limited one. But these injuries fade compared to the list of Indianapolis Colts. Eleven Colts players missed Wednesday practice, among them wide receivers Roy Hall and Reggie Wayne, running backs Clifton Dawson and Dominic Rhodes, defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis as well as three cornerbacks and more.

Published on 10/30/2008