Pick: Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Redskins

Indianapolis Colts (0- 1 SU, 0-1 ATS) vs. Washington Redskins (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS)
NFL Football Week 2
When: Sunday, September 16th, 1:00pm ET
Where: FedEx Field – Landover, MD
TV: CBS
By: Bob Clark, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com

Spread: IND +6/WAS -6
Total: 46.5

This Sunday in Landover, Maryland, the Washington Redskins will host the Indianapolis Colts. This is an AFC/NFC game that as of now does not have that huge feel to it, but in regards to betting, it should be interesting. Washington comes in 1-0 and the Colts who fell in week one to the Bengals sit at 0-1.

THE ODDS: As of mid week, the line on this game never really shifted from the time it opened. The Washington Redskins are six point favorites over the Indianapolis Colts while the total points are set at 46.5 combined. So far, the betting public is all over Washington which may push the line to 6.5. 63% of the action at this time likes the Skins at home to cover the six. As for the total points, 54% of the public likes this game to go over the 46.5. After one week, the Redskins are 1-0 ATS while the Colts are 0-1. If you like Washington, I would say go ahead and lay the bet ASAP because this line could move up by Sunday, possible even into TD territory with a 7.

THE REDSKINS DEFENSE? First off, before I even get started, yes I know it was only the Arizona Cardinals…I get that. But man, the Redskins defense looked pretty solid in their 24-6 defeat of the Cardinals this past Sunday. Arizona was held to just 68 yards on the ground while Sam Bradford was only able to muster up 145 yards passing in the loss. Washington also forced two turnovers, both off Sam Bradford with a pick and a fumble. Of course, this weekend will be a much different task, but if this is any indication how the Skins defense is going to play, they may surprise some people this year.

GOOD LUCK OR BAD LUCK? In his first game back in what felt like ten years, Andrew Luck looked pretty good. Yes, the Colts lost to the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 34-23. The Colts did not bother easing Andrew Luck back into things though. In the loss he completed 39 of 53 passes for 319 yards and two scores. He did also throw an interception but oh well. This Sunday against the Redskins, Luck will need help. The Colts cannot sit back and throw the ball 60 times and expect to get wins. I am not saying Luck cannot handle the load because obviously he can, but Indy needs to balance the attack a little more. Get some yards on the ground and open up the passing game for more big plays. Against the Bengals, the Colts ran the ball just 22 times for only 75 yards. The leading rusher for Indy was Jordan Wilkins who gained just 40 yards on 14 carries. This tells me that the Colts need a better run blocking scheme…or, just the bigs up front need to grow a pair and do their jobs. If the Colts have this type of performance on Sunday, I see them being 0-2.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON SUNDAY? The first few weeks of the NFL is always tough to predict. Over the last few seasons, teams look like legit contenders from week one to week six only to fall on their faces. Was Washington that good? Were the Cardinals that bad? Does Indianapolis finally have a chance to get back to the AFC Title game with Andrew Luck although they hit a speed bump in wee one? You just never know. So here is what I think happens on Sunday…I believe we will have a sloppy, low scoring game that will come down to the end. I see this being a physical game and although the weather is supposed to be pretty nice, this game will be played as if it was in the rain…with the exception of Andrew Luck tossing it around 40 times. I absolutely like the under in this one but who wins the game? I have no clue but I will say this. The Colts will not be blown out in this one. I think the final score is something like 22-20 when it is all said and done. I could be wrong….because I usually am when it comes to picking exact scores, but I do feel very good in the fact that I like the Colts plus the points.

Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PLUS THE POINTS ON THE ROAD. ALSO AS A BONUS, PLAY THE UNDER AND PLAY IT BIG!