The reeling Indianapolis Colts are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2011 when they host the explosive San Diego Chargers this Sunday.
The good news for the San Diego Chargers is that, for the second straight week, they face an opponent outside the AFC West.
The bad news for the Indianapolis Colts is that for the third time in as many games, they clash with a team that is not a member of the AFC South.
What on earth we talking about, exactly? The Bolts come off a 38-14 thrashing of the Jacksonville Jaguars seven days after blowing a 24-3 third-quarter lead in a loss at Arrowhead Stadium. That was the Chargers’ ninth consecutive loss to a divisional foe. In fact, it’s somewhat interesting if you look at San Diego’s last nine games dating back to 2014: 0-6 vs. the AFC West; 3-0 against the Jaguars (twice) and Miami Dolphins.
The Colts have the opposite kind of problem, opening 0-2 for the third straight season. All told, the club is a very-respectable 30-20 in its last 50 regular-season outings. But break that down a little further and it shows you that Chuck Pagano and company boast a combined 16 record vs. their AFC South rivals compared to a disappointing 14-18 against the rest of the NFL. This year’s winless start includes losses to the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos.
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Perhaps that’s why it’s a bit surprising that the Colts are a slight favorite, albeit being a 2.5-point really tells us that the Chargers should be the play here. Mike McCoy’s team may have split its first two games but is a perfect 2-0 ATS.
Odds
Line: Colts (-2.5)
Over/Under: 51.5
It almost looks like a setup.
And that’s why you should be on your guard when approaching this late afternoon start on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Chargers have totaled 65 points in two contests while the Colts have allowed an NFL-high 73 points in dropping their first two contest. The OVER looks like an extremely easy play and so do the Bolts.
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Indianapolis is one of five winless teams playing at home this week, joining the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints. All should be considered dangerous — especially the Colts.