A pair of 1-1 teams square off Sunday in Indianapolis as the Colts host the Atlanta Falcons. Indy has overcome the offseason retirement of Andrew Luck to take the Chargers to OT in Week 1, then upset the Titans last week in Tennessee. Atlanta is coming off an emotional win over the NFC rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football.
Atlanta Falcons vs Indianapolis Colts (Matchup Report)
Date/Time: September 22, 1 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: CBS
Sportsbook Odds: Indianapolis -2.5 | O/U 47.5 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Indy has thrived as a favorite, losing just once in its last 12 when laying points. That makes the opener of -2.5 look pretty attractive, although the line hadn’t budged as of Monday night. Neither had the total, staying put at 47.5.
Atlanta News & Notes
Can you say letdown spot? The Falcons exorcised some major demons last Sunday, finally beating a Philadelphia Eagles squad that had beaten them three times over the previous three years — including the 2017 NFC championship game, when Atlanta had first-and-goal in the dying seconds but couldn’t punch it in for the winning touchdown.
But now, after scoring a long go-ahead TD last week on fourth-and-three and then holding off a last-gasp Eagles drive to win a prime-time matchup, Atlanta goes on the road to face a non-conference foe. The Falcons already seem to have a tough enough time getting up for AFC opponents as it is, failing to cover in their last 11 attempts. They also have to be concerned about Matt Ryan’s five interceptions through two games, including three against the Eagles.
Indianapolis News & Notes
Following the surprise retirement of Andrew Luck in the preseason, who would have thought the Colts’ biggest offensive concern through two weeks would be their kicking game?
That’s the situation in Indianapolis right now. Jacoby Brissett may have just 336 passing yards through two games, but his 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a second-ranked run game has the Colts off to a 1-1 start (2-0 ATS). Future Hall of Famer Adam Vinatieri, on the other hand, has been a major disappointment.
The 46-year-old has already missed three extra points this season and shanked a couple of field goals in Week 1 vs the Chargers, leading to speculation that he was going to retire on Monday. The Colts have already announced they’re sticking with Vinatieri for now, but you’ve got to wonder if head coach Frank Reich will start being more aggressive on fourth down and two-point conversions going forward.
Betting Preview: Colts -2.5
Bettors continue to underestimate the resolve of these Colts, who haven’t appeared to be fazed by Luck’s retirement. I’ll lay the short number with Indy in its home opener.
- The Falcons are 1-10 SU and 0-11 ATS in their last 11 games vs the AFC.
- The Colts are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games as favorites.
- The Falcons are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs the Colts.
