We’ll see just how good the Indianapolis Colts are on Sunday Night Football when they head west to take on the San Francisco 49ers. Indianapolis is in second place in the AFC South coming into this game, but the Colts are just 2-4 and their wins have come over 1-5 Miami and 1-5 Houston. San Francisco is 2-3 and has yet to win a home game, as the 49ers are once again dealing with numerous injuries. They are coming off a bye though, so they have had time to get ready for the Colts and get healthy too.
NFL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Indianapolis Colts +4.5
San Francisco 49ers -4.5
Total 44.5
North Dakota will have a particular interest in this game as both Carson Wentz and Trey Lance are products of North Dakota State. Wentz and Lance were both top three picks due to their time with the Bison, and they helped the most dominant dynasty in the history of the FCS claim a record number of national championships.
Wentz got off to a slow start with the Colts. He has been better in recent weeks though, and he has now completed 64.2% of his passes for 8.0 YPA with nine touchdowns and an interception coming into this game. The offensive line has done a better job protecting him although All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson is on injured reserve and right tackle Braden Smith hasn’t played since Week 1.
Michael Pittman Jr. is proving to be a solid receiver in his second season in the NFL. Pittman leads Indianapolis with 31 receptions for 403 yards and a touchdown. The next leading receiver is running back Jonathan Taylor, but that should change now that T.Y. Hilton is off injured reserve. Hilton caught four passes for 80 yards in his season debut last week against Houston.
Taylor is running well, averaging 5.4 YPC behind one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in the NFL. He has been much more effective than either Nyheim Hines or Marlon Mack, proving Indianapolis right for selecting him in the NFL Draft.
San Francisco is dealing with a few injuries on defense. The 49ers won’t have starting linebacker Dre Greenlaw or top cornerback Jason Verrett for this game, and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is questionable. They are allowing 23.8 PPG and 329.8 YPG so they are playing well, and they have done a decent job of stopping the pass.
No one knows who San Francisco will start under center on Sunday night. Trey Lance started in place of Jimmy Garoppolo two weeks ago against Arizona, but both players are dealing with injuries. Lance did not participate in practice on Wednesday with a knee injury, while Garoppolo was limited with a calf issue. The rookie offers more mobility and upside, but Jimmy G is the more polished quarterback now.
The 49ers don’t have star tight end George Kittle available as a safety valve and devastating run blocker, and left tackle Trent Williams is questionable. Deebo Samuel is available though, and Elijah Mitchell and Trey Sermon will try to move the chains with Raheem Mostert out for the season.
Former San Francisco defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will look forward to playing his old team, but Indianapolis might not have a lot of key players. Star linebacker Darius Leonard is questionable, and so are defensive end Kwity Paye and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.
Prediction
It’s hard to feel confident in a prediction just yet with so many injury concerns for both teams. However, Indianapolis is probably the better choice given the magnitude of San Francisco’s injuries.
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