New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts Week 8 Best Bet

New Orleans Saints (3-4 SU, 1-5-1 ATS) vs. Indianapolis Colts (3-4 SU, 4-3 ATS)

NFL Football Week 8

Date/Time: Sunday, October 29th, 2023, 1:00 PM (EST)

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

TV: FOX

Betting Odds:

Point Spread: NO +1/IND -1

Moneyline: NO +100/IND -120

Total: 43.5

Last week, the Indianapolis Colts were part of the most exciting game of the NFL weekend in an unexpected shootout with the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, the Colts came out as losers in the 39-38 finale against the Browns. The good news is that the team showed a lot of fight just one week after losing QB Anthony Richardson for the season. In fact, QB Gardner Minshew proved he may be one of the top backups in the league after throwing for more than 300 yards against a tough Browns defense. Minshew and the Colts’ offense appear to be trending in the right direction, and that is indicative in this week’s betting line as the Colts are slight favorites over the visiting New Orleans Saints.

The visiting Saints suffered their 4th loss in the last 5 games in last week’s 31-24 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite the recent losses, which have all been close games, the Saints still appear to be the most talented team in the NFC South with the highest ceiling. With that being said, the Saints have to turn things around soon or it’s going to be too late. In recent weeks, the Saints have struggled in a number of ways. There have been turnover issues, special teams issues, and offensive issues. Seemingly, the Saints just can’t put a complete game together, and that begs the question: what can we expect from the Saints in week 8?

New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts Betting Analysis

Earlier this year, I would have stated the Colts’ offense would be the weak point of the team. Even after the loss of QB Anthony Richardson, I would have said the Colts’ biggest weakness would be on the offensive side of the ball. In both instances, I may have been wrong. If there is anything we have learned in recent weeks, it’s that the Colts’ defense is the biggest liability within the organization. Colts running backs Zach Moss and Jonathan Taylor have both been effective. Gardner Minshew is finding receivers Michael Pittman and Josh Downs to make big plays down the field. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis defense has given up point totals of 37 and 39 in the last two weeks.

On the season, the Colts rank 22nd in the overall defense and 29th in scoring defense. Needless to say, the Colts’ biggest weakness has been on the defensive side of the football, especially against the pass as the Colts secondary has relinquished 257 yards per game. Ironically, the Saints’ offensive issues have surrounded the passing attack in recent weeks, and that will be the same group trying to exploit the Colts’ underperforming pass defense. Saints QB Derek Carr has struggled significantly this season, throwing for just 1,600 yards with 6 touchdowns and 4 picks through 7 games. Not only has Carr shown signs of struggling but the entire Saints passing attack has struggled with dropped balls and bad execution this season. To make matters worse, the Colts could be without star WR Chris Olave this weekend. Olave had some off the field issues this week and may be held out of the contest. If so, that would be a huge blow to a Saints offense that has been struggling with the passing attack.

New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts Betting Trends

• The Saints are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 games.
• The Saints have hit the “under” in 12 of the last 13 games.
• The Saints are 1-4 SU in the last 5 games.
• The Saints are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 games against Indianapolis.
• The Colts are 4-2 ATS in the last 6 games.
• The Colts have hit the “over” in 7 of the last 9 games.
• The Colts are 3-11 SU in the last 14 games.
• The Colts have hit the “under” in 4 of the last 5 games against New Orleans.

New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts Betting Prediction

I really like the Colts in this match-up. Not only do they get the Saints at home, but they get them in an advantageous match-up that I think will get the Colts’ defense back in the right direction. I believe the Colts win this game on both sides of the ball, and I believe they cover with ease!

Jay’s Pick: Take the Colts -1