Opening Line: Raiders -3.5
Over/Under: 53
Time: 1 PM EST Saturday December 24, 2016 on CBS
Indianapolis Colts (7-7) vs. Oakland Raiders (11-3)
The Colts are coming off a blowout win over the Minnesota Vikings and they have won two of their last three games. However, sitting one game back of both the Texans and Titans they need to win out and get a lot of help to make the post-season. Andrew Luck is back and healthy and while the offense has been the strength of the team ranking 8th in ppg their defense came up big in the win over the Vikings holding them to only three points. However, overall their defense only ranks tied for 22nd in opponents’ ppg.
The Raiders captured a playoff berth with a win in their last game, but they still have a lot to play for. They are one game up on the Kansas City Chiefs, who they lost two twice this season, and if they can finish the season strong they will have at least the 2nd seed in the AFC and get a bye in the first round of the playoffs. QB Derek Carr was recently named to the Pro Bowl and he leads a high scoring offense. The defense has been the issue and that unit only ranks 21st in opponents’ ppg.
In their last games the Colts beat the Minnesota Vikings 34-6 and the Raiders beat the San Diego Chargers 19-16.
On the season the Colts are 7-6-1 ATS with an O/U record of 8-6 and the Raiders are 9-5 ATS with an O/U record of 10-4.
These teams have not met since the 2013 season where the Colts beat the Raiders 21-17.
In their win over the Vikings in their last game the Colts had 411 yards of offense holding Minnesota to only 282 yards. On top of that they stuffed the run only giving up 34 rushing yards and their defense forced three turnovers. Luck was solid passing for 250 yards with two TD and no INT and he got help in the backfield with Frank Gore rushing for over 100 yards.
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The Raiders have had their issues on the defensive side of the ball this season, but in their win over the Chargers in their last game they held them to only 263 yards and 73 rushing yards. Overall, Oakland ranks 25th in the league in both pass defense and run defense.
Carr passed for 213 yards with a TD and an INT in the win over the Chargers and he has a great WR duo in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Oakland also had 145 rushing yards in the game with Latavius Murray leading the way with 81 yards on the ground.
The Colts only rank 27th in the league in pass defense and 20th in run defense, but they did shut down the Vikings last week. However, Minnesota does not have a dynamic offense while Oakland does ranking 3rd in the league in ppg.
Indianapolis at Oakland Betting Trends
- The Colts are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 road games, 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win, and in their last 7 road games the Over record is 6-1.
- The Raiders are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall, 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games, and in their last 8 games they have an Over record of 6-2.
- The Raiders are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games against the Colts.
- In the last 5 games between these teams the Under record is 4-1.
Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders Prediction
The Colts have been a great bet in recent weeks on the road not only covering their last four but getting the straight up win. On the season, they’re 3-4 SU on the road the three losses by a combined 10 points.
Take the Indianapolis Colts +3.5
