NFL MNF Game Betting - Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans

The Indianapolis Colts (3-3, 3-3 ATS). The Titans get the chance to do so when they host the five-time division champions at LP Field on Monday Night Football.

Tennessee is off to an impressive start to the schedule, although three of their six paydays have come against teams below the .500 mark. Indianapolis has struggled out of the gate, so a win against the Colts would confirm the Titans as the team to beat – and the team to bet on in the AFC South.

Oddsmakers have Tennessee as 4-point favorites for the contest, with the total listed at 40.5.

The Titans are coming off a 34-10 waxing of the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday, as Tennessee covered easily as 9-point home favorites. Running back LenDale White ran for 149 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns, while fellow RB Chris Johnson rambled for 168 yards on 18 attempts with a score for the Titans.

Equally impressive was the Tennessee run defense, which held the Chiefs to only 58 yards on the ground in the blowout. The Titans look to do the same to the Colts, who have the worst running attack in the NFL so far this season with barely over 70 rushing yards per game.

Indy was outclassed 34-14 last week at the hands of the Green Bay Packers, who upended Colts backers as 1-point home underdogs. Quarterback Peyton Manning went 21-of-42 for 229 yards with two interceptions for Indianapolis, which allowed 31 unanswered points in the loss. RB Dominic Rhodes had all 73 rushing yards on 20 carries for the Colts, while tight end Dallas Clark hauled in eight balls for 81 yards.

Rhodes figures to get the start or at the very least the bulk of the touches in the backfield against the Titans. First-string RB Joseph Addai is doubtful as he continues to recover from a slightly torn hamstring, and RB Mike Hart is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

A bigger concern on the injury front for the Colts is the absence of strong safety and 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders. Sanders is expected to sit out once again with a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, meaning Indianapolis is in tough against the formidable Titans running game. The Indy defense is giving up a bloated 340.2 yards per game, including 153.5 yards per contest against the run.

The teams split the meetings last season, with Tennessee winning 16-10 last December 30, and Indianapolis getting by the Titans 22-20 on September 16, 2007. The Titans won ATS in both matchups, which was also the case for both games in 2006. The AFC South rivals also played under the total in both tilts last season, and are 3-7 O/U in their last 10 meetings.

Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch is probable with a groin injury for Tennessee, and his presence would give the Titans another pass rusher to put pressure on Manning. If the Titans can effectively disrupt Manning, that could be just what the doctor ordered for Tennessee backers, who have to like their chances against the Colts’ offensive front. The Indy offensive line has underperformed all season without the services of guard Ryan Lilja, who is out with a knee ailment. That’s not to mention the aforementioned difficulties the Colts have with the running game.

The overall trends point in Tennessee’s direction, as the Titans are a formidable 10-1 against the number in their last 11 games against AFC South opponents. For their part, the Colts are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 contests within the division.