Colts Near Two Touchdown Favorites Over Rams

NFL News - October 19th, 2009 - Written by John

The Cardinals, Dolphins and Seahawks have been unable to stop Peyton Manning in what could turn out to be his best season yet. And after a bye week, it's hard to imagine the St. Louis Rams will fare much better against the Indianapolis Colts. They are the current owners of the NFL's longest losing streak (16) and that skid doesn't appear to be in jeopardy this week when they host Indianapolis. It is the only game between an unbeaten team and a winless team.

According to BetUS sportsbook the Colts are big favorites with the week's second-biggest spread. They are giving up 13 points to the Rams with a payout of -110 both ways. The over/under is 46. The Colts have hit the over in eight of their last 10 games following a bye week.

Similar to the Washington Redskins, the Indianapolis Colts have faced teams teams who were still in search of their first win. The difference is the way Indianapolis has manhandled those teams, outscoring them 72-44. Much of that has to do with Manning, who's legend is growing by the day. He is in the middle of his best statistical year, already passing Fran Tarkenton for third on the all-time touchdown pass list, despite throwing to a young receiving corps. His only familiar face has been Reggie Wayne, yet he has made budding stars out of Pierre Garcon and rookie Austin Collie. Tight end Dallas Clark leads the team with 441 yards. His 199 yards after the catch is good for fourth in the NFL.

Manning has thrown for 1,645 yards and 12 touchdowns and boasts the league's second-highest passer rating (114.1). Despite missing a week due to the bye, the Colts are 10th in total offense and 8th in scoring.

But it's their defense that has turned heads. Without the unit's MVP, Bob Sanders, Indianapolis is fourth in total defense and are second in points allowed (14 per game). They have done it without any player ranking higher than a tie for 49th in tackles, although Dwight Freeney is fifth with six sacks.

Meanwhile, the Rams have been a study in ineptitude. They are dead last in the NFL in points per game (9) and only have exactly zero rushing touchdowns. They have only been competitive twice this year, the most recent being last week at Jacksonville. St. Louis took a 17-13 lead late in that game, but surrendered a touchdown to Maurice Jones-Drew with 1:53 remaining, then lost on a field goal in overtime.

Kyle Boller has inherited quarterbacking duties after Marc Bulger went down with an injury two weeks ago. Be sure to drop by our page on all the Week 7 Game Previews to learn more about the games going on this weekend.

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