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Cincinnati at Indianapolis NFL Preseason Odds, Betting Pick & Prediction

Cincinnati at Indianapolis NFL Preseason Odds, Betting Pick & Prediction

Written by on August 29, 2017

NFL News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
The Indianapolis Colts bring their NFL preseason to a close when they host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. Both teams enter Week 4 of the preseason with identical 1-2 records, as Cincinnati fell, 27-23, to the Redskins last week, while the Colts knocked off PIttsburgh on the road, 19-15. These two teams last met in the preseason finale a year ago, with Indianapolis escaping with a 13-10 win. Both teams are still somewhat in disarray, with the Bengals struggling to find consistency on both sides of the ball, while the Colts are working to build a steady offensive identity. So,let’s find out why the Colts are favorites against the Bengals this Thursday.

Cincinnati at Indianapolis NFL Preseason Odds, Betting Pick & Prediction

When: Thursday, August 31, 2017, 7:00 PM ET Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis TV: Local Affiliates Only Radio: WLW 700 AM (Cincinnati) / WFNI 1070 AM (Indianapolis) Live Stream: NFL Live NFL Preseason Odds: Indianapolis -2

Weather Forecast

  • Overcast: 24°C/76°F
  • Humidity: 57%
  • Precipitation: 1%
  • Wind: 9 mph NE
  • Cloud Cover: 85%
  • Type of Stadium: Retractable

Why should you bet on the Bengals?

A.J. Green was a bright spot for the Bengals last week, hauling in four catches for 43 yards. He averaged 96.4 yards per game a year ago and is one of the elite receivers in the NFL. Second-year wideout Tyler Boyd had a great catch in Week 3 and should have a lot of opportunities lining up on the other side of the formation from Green. Tailback Joe Mixon picked up 31 yards on eight attempts — and the Bengals look like they might need a strong running game, with Andy Dalton still not looking sharp at this point. The Bengals defense styles itself as a solid unit, but it is really just a bunch of undisciplined talent. Vontaze Burfict faces a five-game suspension for yet another hit on a defenseless player, and while this remains under appeal, it’s not clear how much he would appear in a preseason finale anyway. Given how the Bengals have given up second-half points in this preseason — and given how few first-teamers will even play in this finale — this unit will need to make some stops for the Bengals to have a chance.

Why should you put your money on the Colts?

It doesn’t look like Andrew Luck will start the season under center for Indianapolis, but Scott Tolzien made fans a little more optimistic last week, going 7 for 10 for 123 yards. He did throw an interception, but he was able to move the ball up and down the field. Stephen Morris (12 for 16, 143 yards) also looked solid in the pocket, but Tolzien has more experience. Tolzien could end up starting Week 1, depending on how Luck’s recovery goes — which would be a real shame, as Luck has followed up some terrific young seasons with a couple of injury-filled campaigns. Are the Colts a safe betting pick for this NFL Preseason matchup? The problem for the Colts is that their passing defense has been absolutely porous in this preseason. Teams have moved up and down the field with impunity — while the Colts have only averaged about 16 points per game through the preseason. If you like the Colts, then you think  their reserves will show a lot more promise than they have shown up to this point in the preseason. You do have a lot of players fighting for their NFL lives this week, so we could see more out of the lower tiers of the Colts’ roster than we have seen up to this point in the preseason.

Team Series History

  • Total Meetings: 29
  • First Meeting: December 26th, 1970. Memorial Stadium. Baltimore, Maryland
  • Last Meeting: January 4th, 2015. Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis, Indiana
  • All-Time Series: Indianapolis 19-10-0
  • Largest Margin of Victory: Indianapolis 35-3 (2008)
  • Longest Win Streak: Indianapolis 7 (1998-2010)
  • Current Win Streak: Indianapolis 2 (2014-2015)

Expert NFL Preseason Pick and Final Score Prediction

The Colts have a 1-4 record against the spread in their last five games at home — and in their last five games against AFC opponents. Cincinnati has covered or beaten the spread in four of their last five games. However, when this spread comes out, it is likely to be small — and in a battle of reserves, system matters more than talent. I like the system that the Colts have in place — which is something the Bengals don’t. I predict a final score of Indianapolis 20, Cincinnati 16.
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