Saturday’s NFL doubleheader concludes with the Indianapolis Colts (8-6, 4-2 away) battling the Arizona Cardinals (10-4, 3-3 home) in an interconference contest with playoff implications on the line. A win for the Cardinals clinches a spot, while a victory for the Colts keeps them one-game back of the Titans and in an excellent position for a Wild Card spot.
The kickoff for Saturday’s nightcap is at 8:15 p.m. EST inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Arizona is a slight 1-point favorite in the Week 16 clash, and the over-under total is at 49.0 points.
What to Know – Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis heads into Week 16 with a two-game winning streak and winners in five of their last six contests. The Colts are now firmly in the playoff hunt, and victory over the Cardinals can cement Indy’s spot in the postseason picture.
The Colts offense scores 28.4 points per game, third in the NFL, and generates 361.4 yards of offense. Defensively, Indianapolis holds teams to 21.4 points and 358.2 yards of total offense.
Indy’s defense forced a pair of critical interceptions, and Jonathan Taylor rushed for 170 yards in last Saturday’s 27-17 triumph over the New England Patriots. With the Colts’ emphasis on the ground game, Carson Wentz only attempted 12 passes in the contest.
The Colts are 9-5 against the spread and 5-0 ATS in their last five games on the road. Indy has beaten the Cardinals in four of their last six matchups.
What to Know – Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals won their first seven games of the season but have gone just 3-4 over the last two months of action. Arizona’s lost two in a row but can put that behind them with a playoff-clinching victory over the Colts.
The Cardinals average 27.0 points and 396.1 yards of total offense per game on offense. Arizona’s defense surrenders 20.3 points and holds opponents to 337.9 yards of offense.
Arizona looked like a team that didn’t come ready to play in last Sunday’s 30-12 loss to the Detroit Lions. Kyler Murray completed only 23-of-41 passes, throwing one touchdown and one interception. Christian Kirk led the Cardinals with nine receptions for 94 yards and the lone touchdown for Arizona.
The Cardinals are 9-5 ATS but 3-8 in their last 11 home games. Arizona has a 5-0 record ATS in their previous five games against opponents from the AFC South.
The Pick is In
Arizona has struggled at home this season but will be poised for a rebound victory after being embarrassed by the Lions. Indianapolis is one of the hottest teams in the NFL against some inferior opponents, but their win last week against the Patriots showed these Colts are a playoff contender.
The Cardinals will have to contain Taylor if they want to win, and while Arizona’s defense is solid, they’ve suffered a handful of critical injuries in the front seven that the Colts will take advantage of. Indy’s defense will do enough against an Arizona offense that looked lost without wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Betting Pick: Indianapolis Colts +1
