NFL Wild Card Odds: Best bets against the spread

A view of the NFL Wild Card logo on the field before the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
A view of the NFL Wild Card logo on the field before the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bjoern Werner (92) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bjoern Werner (92) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) over Cincinnati Bengals

This line opened at 6 points in most spots, and frankly, I would have taken the Bengals at that number. However, we are under a bit of a handicap in waiting until gameday, and the line move was enough to force my hand in taking the Colts.

As referenced in the previous slide, it is very, very difficult to trust Andy Dalton in a hostile road game. Cincinnati’s offense has been mediocre under his direction, even with A.J. Green in the lineup, but without his best weapon, the Bengals should be hard-pressed to sustain anything resembling a high-powered offense.

On the other side, the Bengals do possess a stout defense, but Andrew Luck has earned the benefit of the doubt from me. Cincinnati will do everything they can to take away Luck’s passing attack and make the rushing-challenged Colts beat them on the ground, but you can’t make me fade Indianapolis with only a 3.5-point cushion.

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