The Indianapolis Colts will take the field as betting chalk for just the second time in their last seven games when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday as 3 1/2-point betting favorites at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
The Colts showed resilience last weekend in posting their second consecutive straight-up win, topping the struggling Falcons in Atlanta 24-21 and improving their SU record to 5-5. That win follows the Colts’ stunning 27-24 defeat of the Broncos, ending Denver’s hopes of a perfect season while halting their own three-game SU losing skid.
At 5-5, Indianapolis enters Sunday afternoon’s Buccaneers vs. Colts betting matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium deadlocked with the Houston Texans for the top spot in the AFC South, just a half-game up on the surging Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Buccaneers are riding high following their 45-17 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend, moving them past the sinking New Orleans Saints to just a game back of the Falcons for the second NFC wild-card berth.
Led by rookie quarterback Jameis Winston, the Buccaneers have won four of six SU while going 5-1 against the spread, but are winless ATS in their last four against Indianapolis according to the OddsShark NFL Database.
Elsewhere, the Broncos will once again turn to quarterback Brock Osweiler when they host the New England Patriots on “Sunday Night Football.” Denver opened as a 5 1/2-point underdog for the matchup after eking out a 17-15 win against the Chicago Bears last weekend, dropping its third straight ATS, this time as 2 1/2-point chalk.
The Patriots have dominated the Broncos in recent meetings, going 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six matchups, but have struggled in visits to the Mile High City, recording a 2-5 SU and ATS record in their last seven games there.
And the Saints will be desperate for a win to keep their fading playoff hopes alive when they visit Houston as three-point underdogs at the sportsbooks this weekend. New Orleans has lost two straight and is winless in its last three ATS, dropping it into the NFC South cellar and two games back of Atlanta for the second NFC wild-card spot.
The 5-5 Texans have roared to life following a dismal start, winning four of five, SU and ATS. They have held opponents to fewer than 10 points per game over their last three, but are just 1-2 SU and ATS in their last three against the Saints.
In other NFL Week 12 betting action, the Jaguars welcome the San Diego Chargers to town as four-point chalk, while the Falcons take on the Minnesota Vikings as 2 1/2-point home underdogs.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
