Underdog Colts Look To Buck Odds In MNF Showdown Versus Ravens

By | Updated on 8 December, 2021

Chris Altruda has been a sportswriter with ESPN, The Associated Press, and STATS over more than two decades. He recently expanded into covering sports betting and gambling around the Midwest. His Twitter handle is @AlTruda73.

The Indianapolis Colts have a chance to get back into the AFC South race, but they are solid underdogs heading into their Monday Night Football showdown on the road versus the Baltimore Ravens.

The Colts (1-3) are wrapping up a three-game road swing with this contest and coming off their best performance of the season, a 27-17 win at Miami on Oct. 3. They were the beneficiary of favorable results involving divisional rivals — both the Jaguars and Texans suffered losses that weekend before the latter trounced the former on Sunday — which means an upset of the AFC North-leading Ravens (3-1) would give the Colts sole possession of second place in the South and keep them one game back of Tennessee.

Carson Wentz was instrumental in Indianapolis’ Week 4 win, throwing for 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns without an interception, while Jonathan Taylor rushed for a season-high 103 yards. Wentz also showed no ill effects from the sprained ankles suffered in the Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a good thing considering the Ravens are known for an aggressive defensive scheme that will likely put him under duress throughout this game.

But even coming off its first win of the season, Indianapolis has yet to show itself to be a playoff-caliber team. Its three losses have come to opponents who fit that description — Seattle, the Rams, and the Titans — and taking down the Ravens looks to be a tall order in sportsbooks‘ eyes.

Main action numbers

The Colts are 7-point underdogs at most major sportsbooks in Indiana, with the flat touchdown number perhaps trying to entice some action where a push could be possible. The values range from -105 at FanDuel, PointsBet, and WynnBET to -115 at DraftKings.

BetRivers and Unibet, powered by Kambi, are offering the Colts at -107, while Caesars, BetMGM, and theScore all have a -110 listing.

WynnBET has the best play for Colts backers thinking Indianapolis can post back-to-back victories, offering +285 for a straight-up win. Caesars follows at +280; theScore and FanDuel both have +275 on the board; PointsBet has a +270 listing; Kambi and DraftKings are +260; and BetMGM brings up the rear at +250.

The over/under at most places has been established at 46 points, with Kambi (-112/-109) the lone book straying off the standard -110 play in both directions. WynnBET and FanDuel are offering 46.5 points, with the former at -110 and the latter -106/-114.

Those interested in team totals will find the Colts at 19.5 points at practically every book. Those confident in Wentz and the offense continuing to produce may want to opt for Caesars (-105) and FanDuel (-106) for the over, while BetRivers, Unibet, and WynnBET are the top choices for the under at -110.

Pondering the player props

After catching both touchdown passes from Wentz in Miami, Colts tight end Mo-Alie Cox has picked up interest as a potential play for anytime touchdown scorer. He can be grabbed at +550 at both DraftKings and WynnBET on that offering, while FanDuel, PointsBet, Caesars, and BetMGM are also offering +500 for that option.

Oddsmakers do not appear convinced that Wentz can throw for two or more TD passes for a second consecutive game, with the over on 1.5 scoring tosses offering plus-money across the board. WynnBET is the best of the offerings at +155, with Caesars and theScore close behind at +150. For interceptions, both DraftKings and the Kambi platform have a +100/-130 split for Wentz to get picked off, with FanDuel just off that with its listing of -102/-130.

Wentz has a somewhat narrow range for over/under on his passing yards. DraftKings and Caesars (both -115) have staked out the low end at 226.5 yards, while BetRivers, Unibet, (-115/-113) and WynnBET (-115) have opted for 228.5 yards. In the middle at 227.5 are FanDuel (-113), PointsBet and theScore (-120/-110), and BetMGM (-115).

Taylor has two over/under numbers for rushing yards, but there is a notable gap between them. FanDuel (-113) and WynnBET (-115) have him listed at 59.5 yards, but the more common offering is at 56.5 yards, with FanDuel (-113) and Kambi (-114) the top two values.

Taylor’s value as an anytime TD option also has a large band, with DraftKings and BetMGM both offering +120 as the top option, ranging down to -105 at FanDuel.

First-half lines

For those interested in live early action, the first-quarter lines provide some intrigue and a potentially tough decision. FanDuel (+100) and DraftKings (-105) are both offering the Colts +2.5, while the extra half-point Caesars (-120), PointsBet, and theScore (both -125) are offering at +3 will make bettors ponder the cost-effectiveness of the play.

DraftKings is also on the low side of the first-quarter over/under at 9 points and -110 both ways, while other books have varying values at 9.5 points. Caesars and theScore are both split -105/-115, PointsBet offers -110/-121, and FanDuel counters with -118/-102. PointsBet is also offering a -115/-105 split for the Colts to score in the first quarter through any method.

The first-half spread also appears to be a challenging play, with oddsmakers daring Colts backers to go for the gusto. PointsBet, BetMGM, WynnBET, and Caesars are all offering +4 at even money (+100), with theScore at -105. DraftKings, FanDuel, Unibet, and BetRivers tick higher to Indianapolis +4.5, with DraftKings playing it straight at -110, FanDuel at -115, and the Kambi-powered pair at -118.

The over/under is 23 points at most places, though FanDuel is offering a +100/-120 split at 23.5 points. Kambi has also opted for the higher number with a -105/-115 split, while PointsBet and WynnBET have a similar offering at the lower number.

Indianapolis has a team total of 9.5 points at most books, with WynnBET the best play for the over at even money (+100) and FanDuel tops on the under (-105). DraftKings is a full point lower at 8.5 for the first two quarters at a -120/-110 split.

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