The Colts were blown out in their preseason opener at Philadelphia 36-10. The tackling on defense was poor, and the Colts are battling numerous injuries which is affecting practice time and performance. Combined with little motivation other than to play better, Indy is not a betting favorite you can count on.
ODDS
The Indianapolis Colts opened as a 3-point favorite with a total of 41.
The Colts are now 4-10 in the preseason under head coach Chuck Pagano including 0-6 in their last six games. Indianapolis lost both preseason home games last season as favorites and are 3-3 SU/ATS in their last six preseason home games.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Colts field general Andrew Luck played 11 snaps in the 36-10 loss at Philadelphia last week and should play a few series again versus the Bears. He was 5/6 for 43 yards with a dropped pass by the tight end.
Seventeen-year veteran Matt Hasselbeck was 8/17 for 72 yards and will take the bulk of the snaps once again this week. Rookie Bryan Bennett really struggled going 4/16 for 35 yards and 2 INTs, and he’s a risk for bettors playing in the fourth quarter when the final result is potentially on the line.
The Bears played just two quarterbacks in their 27-10 win over Miami last week with Jay Cutler going 4/7 for 42 yards and Jimmy Clausen 17/27 for 152 yards. Neither threw a TD or interception.
Those two will take all the snaps again this week as they get comfortable in new coordinator Adam Gase’s innovative offense.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Camp was more aggressive with tackling after Colts coach Chuck Pagano preferred not to tackle in camp in previous years. However, the Colts missed countless tackles, including one that extended a drive and another that turned into a touchdown against the Eagles.
QUOTE TO NOTE
Regarding the Colts numerous injuries, Colts coach Pagano noted. "Very hard, very difficult," Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. "You go through and you have to adapt. You have to make adjustments as far as your practice plan goes. You're not going to be able to get the same amount of snaps that you want to get. So you modify.”
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
Colts - Kick and punt returner spots. Phillip Dorsett, Donte Moncrief, Quan Bray, Ryan Lankford, Boom Herron, Josh Robinson, and Duron Carter are all rotating.
Bears - Battles behind Matt Forte at running back, along with outside linebacker and defensive end in the new 3-4 scheme.
INJURIES
Colts starters T.Y. Hilton and Frank Gore didn’t play in the game last week but aren’t injured. Rookie cornerback D'Juon Smith left the Eagles game in the first half with a concussion. Running back Vick Ballard, cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Darius Butler as well as wide receiver Donte Moncrief all missed the game with groin injuries and are questionable this week.
Linebacker Robert Mathis and lineman Donald Thomas are both on the physically unable to perform list, and 18 Colts players have missed practice time in the past week.
Bears rookie top pick Kevin White is now out for the season with shin splints and a stress fracture. No. 1 wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is out again this week with a calf strain. Outside linebacker Lamarr Houston is ready to play but will likely rest again while recovering from an ACL tear.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Colts and Bears hold a joint practice at the Colts practice facility Wednesday and Thursday before suiting up for the preseason game Saturday. The Bears won their preseason opener for first year coach John Fox, who is 4-1 in his last five preseason games going 3-1 at Denver last year.
Matt Forte will make his preseason debut for the Bears at running back. But Chicago is still without their top wide receiver and rookie, although wide receiver Eddie Royal will be a go to guy in the slot.
Clearly the Colts will play better at home off an embarrassing showing last week, but we can’t endorse them as favorites and the late game quarterback situation is a major concern.
Chicago 20, Indianapolis 17
The NFL betting lines for this Sunday contest were first released by BookMaker and the Colts were positioned as 3-point favorites with a total of 41. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker sportsbook! The matchup between the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts will go down Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium.
