The Indianapolis Colts (-3) are set to welcome the Dallas Cowboys to Lucas Oil Stadium. This key early afternoon matchup starts at 1:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to FOX.
Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts Betting Preview
In this Sunday game, Indianapolis has been labeled as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Cowboys are also receiving +130 moneyline odds while the Colts are -150. If one squad finds paydirt in the early stages it’ll generate a worthy live betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 47 points.
Both of these teams have been profitable this season as the Cowboys have gained 5.5 units and the Colts are ahead 1.4 units.
The Cowboys have gone 8-5 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Colts are 7-6 SU.
The Cowboys just recorded a 29-23 win over Philadelphia in Week 14. The passing game could’ve been sharper as Dak Prescott completed 42 passes on 54 attempts for 455 yards, three scores and two interceptions. Ezekiel Elliott (113 rushing yards on 28 attempts) led the running attack. Elliott (12 receptions, 79 yards) and Amari Cooper (10 catches, 217 yards, three TDs) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Indianapolis is coming off of a 24-21 win over Houston in Week 14. The team’s defensive secondary let the Texans air it out for 267 yards. Ryan Griffin had a productive showing in the loss for Houston, recording 80 yards on five catches. For Indianapolis, Andrew Luck completed 27-of-41 passes for 399 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Marlon Mack (33 yards on 14 rush attempts, one TD) led the running game as T.Y. Hilton (nine receptions, 199 yards) and Chester Rogers (five catches, 36 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Dallas has run the ball on 47.0 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Indianapolis has an overall rush percentage of 37.2 percent. The Cowboys have rushed for 132 yards per game and have 11 scores on the ground this year. The Colts are averaging 103 rush yards per game and have eight total rushing TDs.
If 2018 numbers are any indication, then it appears the Cowboys may own an edge in terms of effectiveness in the ground game, since their backfield has logged 4.6 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.6 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Colts have rushed for 4.2 yards per carry and given up 3.8 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Cowboys offensive scheme has averaged 241 yards through the air overall and has 17 passing scores so far. The Colts have recorded 289 pass yards per contest and have 34 total pass TDs.
Dallas seems to hold an edge in both areas of the defense. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 87 yards and throw for 243 yards per game. The Indianapolis D has allowed 257.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 102.9 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Cowboys have given up an ANY/A of 6.43 to opposing QBs, while the Colts are yielding an ANY/A of 6.38.
Offensively, Prescott is up to 2,882 passing yards this season. He’s completed 261-of-390 attempts with 16 scores through the air and seven interceptions. He has a 6.11 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.88 over the last two games.
Ezekiel Elliott (1,187 rushing yards, six rush TDs, 442 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns this season), Amari Cooper (846 receiving yards, seven receiving TDs) and Michael Gallup (328 receiving yards, one TD) have each played significant roles of late.
On the other sideline, Andrew Luck has completed 326-of-478 passes for 3,511 yards, 34 TDs and 12 INTs. Luck’s ANY/A sits at 7.23 for the year and 5.71 over his past two games.
Expect Luck to spread the ball around early and often in this one. T.Y. Hilton (909 receiving yards and six receiving TDs this season), Eric Ebron (573 receiving yards, 12 receiving TDs), and Zach Pascal (199 receiving yards, two TDs) have collectively put up 506 receiving yards and two scores over the last two games.
RELATED: Week 15 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Cowboys vs. Colts
SU Winner – Colts, ATS Winner – Colts, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Cowboys offense has recorded eight pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Colts have accounted for five such plays.
The Dallas defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Indianapolis has given up three such plays.
The Dallas offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Indianapolis has created seven such runs.
The Cowboys defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Colts have given up nine such runs.
Each team defense has tallied 35 sacks this season.
As a team, Dallas has averaged 3.8 yards per rush attempt over its last three games and 3.6 over its last two.
Indianapolis has averaged 3.2 yards per carry over its last three contests and 2.3 over its last two.
Indianapolis has won seven of its last eight games SU, with a -6-point defeat to Jacksonville on December 2nd representing the one loss over that stretch.
+++++
