Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts: Betting Guide

Emotions figure to be running high around Raiders camp following the death of John Madden, who spent 12 seasons with the Raiders, including 10 as the head coach.

Madden led the Raiders to eight playoff appearances, six division titles and a Super Bowl championship. Madden’s last playoff win came against the Colts (then located in Baltimore) in 1977. The 37-31 win in double overtime sent the Raiders into the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to Denver.

The Indianapolis Colts (+650) are tied with the New England Patriots for the third-best odds to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl while the Raiders have the 10th-best odds at +6500.

• Game: Las Vegas (8-7) at Indianapolis (9-6)
• Location: Lucas Oil Stadium
• Day/Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
• Television: FOX

Las Vegas vs Indianapolis Betting Lines

Las Vegas vs Indianapolis Head-to-Head

The visiting Indianapolis Colts were listed by the NFL picks against the spread as 2½-point favorites against the Las Vegas Raiders when the teams played on Dec. 13, 2020.

Jonathan Taylor and T.Y Hilton had two touchdowns each as the Colts rolled to a 44-27 win. It was the eighth straight time in the series that the teams alternated a win with a loss. The last time a team won back-to-back games in the series came when the Raiders beat the Colts in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

The game went over the 52-point total on Taylor’s touchdown run with 9:23 left to play.

Las Vegas Raiders

Next game: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Last Game

The NFL betting lines listed the odds as even when the visiting Las Vegas Raiders faced the Denver Broncos in a crucial game for two teams fighting to stay alive in the AFC playoff race.

A pair of field goals and a Javonte Williams touchdown run gave Denver a 13-7 lead by halftime. A Peyton Barber TD run and Daniel Carlson field goal lifted the Raiders to the 17-13 win.

The game went well under the 41½-point total.

Injury Report

Quarterback Derek Carr (ribs), running back Josh Jacobs (ribs), offensive lineman Brandon Parker (knee) and tight ends Daniel Helm (knee) and Foster Moreau (abdominal) are probable. Tight end Derek Carrier (pectoral), linebacker Divine Deablo (elbow) and offensive lineman Jordan Simmons are questionable. Tight end Darren Waller (knee) is out.

Receiver Bryan Edwards, defensive back Casey Hayward (illness), linebackers Denzel Perryman, Cory Littleton, K.J. Wright and Patrick Onwuasor, quarterback Marcus Mariota and defensive linemen Darius Philon and Kendal Vickers are on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Running backs Kenyan Drake (ankle) and Alec Ingold (knee), linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (ankle), defensive back Trayvon Mullen (toe), offensive linemen Denzelle Good (knee) and Richie Incognito (calf) are on injured reserve.

Indianapolis Colts

Next game: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Game

It was also a Pick’Em game according to the Las Vegas odds when the visiting Indianapolis Colts played the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona took the lead on an Antoine Wesley touchdown catch early in the third quarter, but a field goal with three seconds remaining in the third quarter and a Carson Wentz TD pass early in the fourth quarter proved to be enough for Indianapolis to come away with the 22-16 win to keep the Colts in contention for a playoff spot.

The game went well under the 49-point total.

Injury Report

Offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (knee) is probable. Tight end Jack Doyle (ankle), offensive linemen Eric Fisher (knee) and Chris Reed (back) and defensive back Andrew Sendejo (concussion) are questionable.

Offensive lineman Braden Smith, quarterback Carson Wentz, defensive backs Jahleel Addae, T.J. Carrie and Nick Nelson, linebacker Malik Jefferson and running back Marlon Mack are on the reserve/COVID-19 list

Defensive back Julian Blackmon (Achilles), receiver Parris Campbell (foot), kicker Rodrigo Blankenship (hip) and defensive lineman Antwaun Woods (calf) are on injured reserve.

Betting on the Game

Taylor is literally running away with the NFL rushing title. The second-year back for the Indianapolis Colts has rushed for 1,626 yards, almost 500 more than any other NFL back. It has been a tougher season for Jacobs, although he did post a season-high 129 yards in last week’s win over Denver. The Raiders have relied more on the passing game and are fifth in the league in passing yards per game.

Center Kelly is one of the reasons for Taylor’s breakthrough season. It has been a tough stretch for Kelly, who recently lost his daughter. His teammates dedicated last week’s win to Kelly’s daughter.

I asked #Colts center Ryan Kelly about Jim Irsay dedicating the game ball from the Patriots win to him and his wife after losing their infant daughter, Mary Kate.

He said it’s a moment they will never forget: pic.twitter.com/wzX5S3PAGP

— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) December 30, 2021

Only three AFC have a worse turnover margin total than the Raiders’ mark of -9 while the Colts are tied for second in the NFL with a +14 turnover margin number. They lead the AFC with 31 takeaways.

Something to consider for those who bet online: Las Vegas is 8-4 against the spread in its last 12 games against Indianapolis.

The total has gone under in four of the Colts’ last six games.

The Raiders have covered in three of their last 10 home games.

The Colts have allowed fewer than 20 points in five of their last six games so don’t be surprised if the game heads under the total even if the number of 44½ is a bit on the low side.