Thursday Night Football: Colts vs Titans

The NFL schedule, along with the erratic play of the Colts and Titans, has put football bettors in a pinch Thursday night. The short week has the clock ticking when it comes to figuring out a side for Week 14’s mid-week matchup.

Books, including BetUS and 5Dimes have Indianapolis favored by the field goal on the road Thursday, but they’re coming off three straight losses and looked horrible on defense against the Cowboys last Sunday – not to mention Peyton Manning’s pick-happy play.

On the other hand, you have a terrible Tennessee squad that has lost five in a row and is spinning out of control. You can almost smell mutiny in the air with head coach Jeff Fisher falling out of favor with his star players. Just this week, stud running back Chris Johnson blasted the Titans' playcalling.

With the pointspread about as complex to figure out as the dream sequences in Inception, bettors should be looking for a simple way to wager on Thursday’s game. Looking at recent trends between these AFC South foes, the UNDER wager on 45 points is the logical play.

The Colts and Titans have stayed below the number in three straight games and have a 1-9 over/under record in their last 10 contests going back to 2005.

Neither offense can get production from its main options. Manning is becoming as predictable as that basketball-shaped, bouncing gift under your Christmas tree, and Johnson has had his legs taken out from under him like his cleats were made of Teflon.

Tennessee has played under the total in three straight games heading into Thursday. The lack of a downfield attack has shortened their playbook, eating more clock while covering less ground. The Titans have mustered only 22 points in their last three outings, including just two field goals in last week’s 17-6 loss to Jacksonville.

Indianapolis has gone 2-0-1 over/under in its last three games, but that record hasn’t been helped by the Colts' offense much. They played two of the most explosive offensive teams in New England and San Diego, then went into extra time with Dallas. Over those three games Manning has handed the other side a total of 28 points from pick-6 plays.

Even if Manning turns the ball over against the Titans on Thursday night, I’m not too sure Tennessee would know what to do with it. Save yourself the headache and keep it simple – play the UNDER.

Pick: UNDER 45 at BetUS