The Cincinnati Bengals and rookie quarterback Joe Burrow head to Indianapolis in Week 6 to take on the Colts and their stingy defense. Burrow was humbled by the Ravens in Week 5 when he had multiple turnovers and managed just three points. Now he heads to Indy to face an arguably better defense.
- Date/Time: October 18, 1 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium
- TV Coverage: CBS
- Sportsbook Odds: Colts -9 | O/U 47.5 (Line History)
- Bengals vs Colts Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The game opened with the Colts (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) as favorites at -9 but the line has moved to between -7.5 and -8 depending on the sportsbook. The total opened at 47.5 and can now be found between 46 and 47 depending on the book.
Cincinnati News & Notes
2020 first overall pick Joe Burrow has showed plenty of promise as a franchise quarterback for the Bengals (1-2-1 SU, 3-0-1 ATS). But there have been some warts as well. Burrow leads the NFL in fumbles (5) and has been sacked 22 times, the most in the league. Part of that is due to poor offensive line play, but for betting purposes it does not bode well for Burrow this week against one of the league’s best defenses.
What the Bengals’ struggles have meant is plenty of comeback-mode passing and wide receiver Tyler Boyd has been the beneficiary. Boyd is seventh in the league in receptions with 32 and 17th in yards. Look for him to be heavily involved again in Week 6 with receiver A.J. Green questionable after leaving last week’s game with a hamstring injury.
Indianapolis News & Notes
It has not been the smoothest season for new Colts quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers has just four touchdown passes this season with five interceptions and his numbers are underwhelming in several major categories. But this Colts team is not built to win with Rivers lighting up the league. The Colts sport one of the league’s premier offensive lines and have a budding star in rookie running back Jonathan Taylor.
Look for Taylor to have a big game against a Bengals defense giving up 5.2 yards per carry, third worst in the league. Cincy has also given up 795 yards on the ground, second most in the league, as well as five touchdowns.
The Colts defense should have success against Burrow as well. Only the Titans have given up fewer pass yards and the Colts lead the league with nine interceptions. The Colts are easily a top-three pass defense.
Betting Pick: Colts -8
This is a terrible matchup for the Bengals. They can’t stop the run and are playing a team that runs the ball well. They have a young quarterback coming off a humbling performance and are playing one of the best pass defenses in football. All signs point to a big Colts win.
- The Bengals are 0-13-1 SU in their last 14 games on the road.
- The Bengals are 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games on the road.
- The Colts are 13-3 SU in their last 16 games at home.
