Dallas Cowboys(3-8 SU,4-7 ATS) vs. Indianapolis Colts (6-5 SU, 6-4-1 ATS),4:15 pm EST, NFL Week 13, Sunday,December 5th, 2010, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
ByJeff Hochmanof JHSportsline.com
Betting Odds: Dal +5/Indy -5
Over/Under Total: 47.5
Before the season started the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts were being talked about potential Super Bowl teams. But, after 12 weeks into the 2010-11 season we know for sure the Cowboys won’t be playing at home in February, and the Colts are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs all together.
Peyton Manning was intercepted four times and the Colts got crushed onSunday Night Football. San Diego returned two for scores, and handed Indianapolis its worst home loss of the Manning era, 36-14 as 2-point home chalk. The Chargers’ top-ranked defense was active and caused Peyton Manning to have one of his worst performances of his magnificent career. This should not come to a surprise as the Chargers seem to have no problem when facing him. San Diego has beaten Manning’s Colts five times in six games, including twice in the playoffs. Three years ago, the Chargers picked off Manning six timeswhich is a career high. For the first time in Manning’s 13 NFL seasons, he has thrown a combined seven interceptions in back-to-back weeks.
The Cowboys have looked much better since Wade Phillips was fired. Shocker!They had won two in a row and played the Saints right to the end. If Roy Williamshad not fumbled with aboutfour minutes remaining, Dallas would have a three-game winning streak. Malcolm Jenkins snatched the ball from Williams at the 11, ripping it out so forcefully that it wound up against his own stomach. Super Bowl MVPDrew Brees then quickly drove 89 yards for the touchdown that put New Orleans back ahead with 1:55 left lastThursday. The Saints won on Thanksgiving Day for the first time in franchise history. The Cowboys had their four-game Thanksgiving Day win streak snapped.
Jon Kitna has a career QB rating of 81.8 when playing Indoors and 68.5 when playing outdoors. Kitna completed 30-of-42 passes for 313 yards in Thursday’s loss to the Saints, getting intercepted once without throwing atouchdown pass. He was able to keep the chains moving, but the Cowboys did all their scoring on the ground. Peyton Manning hasnot had too many games like the one this past Sunday Night on National TV. There is a very good chance he bounces back with a big game– going against a defense that allows 254passing yards per game when playing on the road. On the flip side, Indianapolis has been solid at defending the pass at home(181), until last Sunday’s meltdown against Rivers and the Chargers.
The Colts are 7-4 in the stats this season. The have won the stats in two straight games but lost them both. There are signs that this team is ready for a big win. I still think the Cowboys have many issues right now, and will not have the focus and determination that Manning’s Colts will bring to this contest. There is some good news. The reeling Colts are still tied with Jacksonville atop the AFC South, and headcoach Jim Caldwell is hoping to get some help this week with a handful of nicked-up starters finally expected to return to action.
The Cowboys are 8-26 SU and 11-23 ATS as road underdogs of 3.5 to 7 points since 1993. Dallas is 1-5 SU and 1-5 ATS in all closedDome games over the last three seasons. The Colts are 3-0 SU and3-0 ATS when playing at homeafter a blowout loss of more than 20 points.
Jeff’sPick to Cover the Point Spread: Indianapolis Colts -5 & Over 47.5.
The Colts are pissed off after committing a season-high five turnovers. Peyton Manning will bounce back like he always does after a sub-par performance. Dallas has nothing left to play for and will be facing a very focused team. The Cowboys last eight games have all gone OVER so lets ride their pathetic defense to another winner. Colts and Over!
