A few weeks ago, this game was no doubt circled on calendars, mostly because of the potential matchup between rookie quarterbacks Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson. But a lot can change in a few weeks in the NFL, and now it’s the Indianapolis Colts trying to regroup from the loss of their QB of the future while the Carolina Panthers are finally enjoying a win.
Colts vs. Panthers Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread:Â Colts -2.5
- Moneyline:Â Colts (-135), Panthers (+114)
- Over/Under:Â 44
- Game time:Â 4:05 PM ET
- Location:Â Bank of America Stadium
- Channel:Â CBS
Colts vs. Panthers Prediction
The Colts are the only team in the NFL that has scored at least 20 points in every game this season.
They’re 3-5.
The Colts have gained at least 350 total yards in each of their last four games.
They’re 1-3 over that span.
Star running back Jonathan Taylor has led the team in rushing each of the last two games.
The Colts have lost both games.
Such is the life when you are the possessor of the league’s worst scoring defense, as the Colts own this season. They have allowed at least 37 points in each of their last three games and, for the season, are allowing a league-worst 28.6 PPG.
This is a dangerous point of the season for the Colts, who are 0-3 since Richardson was lost for the season. Sunday will be the first of two straight road games for Indianapolis before its Week 11 bye. Then, after the bye, the Colts will play another three of five games on the road.
So, getting a win at Carolina and following it up with a win at New England — two opponents with a combined record of 3-12 — would keep the Colts in the playoff hunt.
This will be a game in which Taylor sees even more action. After playing in a season-high 61% of the team’s snaps last week, Taylor, who has 316 scrimmage yards this season, appears poised to take on an even bigger load in the team’s offense.
The Panthers, meanwhile, responded to their Week 7 bye the best way possible: by getting a win over the Houston Texans in Week 8. Their much-maligned defense allowed a season-low 13 points and only gave up 229 total yards, the second-fewest allowed by the Panthers this season.
No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young has certainly taken his lumps this season, but he is also coming off perhaps his best day as a pro. He completed 71% of his passes for 235 yards, one touchdown, and, probably most importantly, zero interceptions.
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Young finished with a passer rating of 103.3, the highest of his young career. He also led the Panthers on a fourth-quarter comeback, becoming just the third rookie QB in franchise history to do so. The others were Cam Newton (2011) and Kerry Collins (1995).
The revenge factor, with Carolina head coach Frank Reich facing his former team, is probably more on the minds of the Panthers’ players than Reich himself. But it’s there.
It’s hard to throw your support behind either team. So, for me, I’m going to look at an over in this matchup. These two defenses are weak, with a capital W. No, the Colts’ lousy streak of allowing at least 37 points will not last forever, but I do think their streak of 20-point games will continue.
If I had to pick a winner, I’d be inclined to take the home underdog in this spot. It’s very hard to trust the Colts’ defense these days.
So, a 24-21 final either way makes this game an over. I think that’s how I see this playing out, with both teams getting into the 20s.
Best Bet: Over 44 points (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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