Commanders vs. Colts Prediction: Wrong Team Favored?
By Josh Yourish
When the schedule was released it looked like we would be getting a Carson Wentz revenge game against the Colts and his replacement, Matt Ryan. Turns out both have already been replaced, Wentz for injury and Ryan benched for Sam Ehlinger. There might not be two teams more lost about what to do at quarterback, so it will make for an interesting game between Taylor Heinicke, and Ehlinger. A former undrafted free-agent and a 2021 sixth-round pick.
Commanders vs. Colts Odds, Spread and Over/Under
Commanders vs. Colts Odds, Spread and Over/Under Movement in NFL Week 8
The total has plummeted with the announcement of Ehlinger starting. It opened at 42.5 to 39.5 and could still be going down. The spread opened with the Colts -5 and is down to -3.
Commanders vs. Colts Prediction and Pick
Earlier this week I got the under when it was at 41.5 and that will likely be my only play on this game. It’s hard to handicap a game with a quarterback that we haven’t seen since he was at Texas. Ehlinger certainly wasn't considered to be an NFL quarterback, but maybe he can turn into something. At least something better than an aging Matt Ryan.
Chris Ballard, the Colts GM has been applauded for his patience and ability to build an offensive line, but that offensive line has severely deteriorated and Jim Irsay’s patience has clearly run out. It appears that it was Irsay’s call to start Ehlinger and it might be with the intention to start losing games. The possible upside with Ehlinger starting is his mobility which could turn sacks and fumbles into short gains or even third down conversions. However, I’d much rather trust Matt Ryan even with his elevated age and diminished skill set.
At this pint, given the questions at quarterback for Indianapolis, I would play the Commanders moneyline because we’ve at least seen Taylor Heinicke win games in the NFL.
Lean: Commanders +130
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change