The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) have won five of their past six games and are in a three-way tie atop the AFC South standings. They make their final regular season road trip when they face the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) in Week 16 NFL play early Sunday afternoon.
The early Colts vs. Falcons odds had Indy a 2-point favorite on Sunday evening. Currently, Atlanta is favored by , the total is , and Indianapolis can be had for on the moneyline.
On the ATS board, Indianapolis is tied atop the chart with a 9-5 record; the Falcons are at 4-10, including six losses as the betting favorite.
As for over/under results, Indianapolis has been involved in 10 games that went over the total. As for Atlanta, 10 of its 14 games have gone under.
More: Super Bowl favorites to fade, longshots to bet on
Colts vs. Falcons odds: Point spread, moneyline, total for NFL Week 16 matchup
Here's the latest NFL betting odds for Colts vs. Falcons:
This is the first meeting between the teams since 2019.
In their series history, the Colts hold a 15-2 advantage, including a 19-7 victory over Atlanta in the Falcons' inaugural year in 1966. According to Gold Sheet data, the Colts were 28-point favorites in their first matchup, the highest point spread in an NFL game dating to 1957.
This will be Atlanta's last home game of the regular season, where the Falcons are 4-3. For the second time this season, head coach Arthur Smith has benched opening-day starting QB Desmond Ridder in favor of Taylor Heinicke.
Indy, meanwhile, has a 5-2 record in the enemy's home stadium. That matches the most road victories for the Colts in the previous 13 years.
More: 2024 Super Bowl odds
Colts vs. Falcons injury news
Here is the current injury report for the Colts vs. Falcons:
The Colts' top two running backs, Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss, and top receiver Michael Pittman Jr. all hope to play. But will they? All were listed as questionable early in the week.
Moss and Pittman were injured last week. Taylor has been out for the past two weeks.
The Falcons are most concerned with getting back their starters along the right side of the offensive line. Guard Chris Lindstrom and tackle Kaleb McGary missed last week's 9-7 loss to Carolina and are questionable for this week.
Read: NFL Week 16 Survivor picks
Colts betting news
Although QB Gardner Minshew is only 21st on the passer-rating chart, he's kept the offense moving. Last week, he had three touchdown passes in their 30-13 home victory over Pittsburgh after Indy spotted the Steelers a 13-0 lead.
Over his past three games, Minshew had six TD passes and one interception. Before this most recent stretch, he had six TDs and seven INTs in six games.
As for the running game outlook, the status of Taylor (thumb) and Moss (shoulder) is paramount. In their place last week, backup Trey Sermon had 88 yards on 17 carries in the first significant stretch of playing time for the third-year RB.
Falcons betting news
Heinicke has played in three games this season, including two starts, and Atlanta lost all three. He left his last game six weeks ago -- a 25-23 loss at Arizona -- with a hamstring injury and hasn't thrown a pass in a game since.
Only two weeks ago, heading into Week 14 play, the Falcons were favorites to win the NFC South (-175 BetMGM). But after ensuing losses to Tampa Bay and last-place Carolina (arrgghh!), the Falcons are one game off the pace in the division and the wild-card race.
That doesn't seem like a mountain to climb, but PlayoffStatus.com lists the Falcons' chances to make the playoffs at 8 percent.
Colts vs. Falcons props
Let's look at some prop bets for the Colts vs. Falcons at top-rated sportsbook apps nationwide.
Colts vs. Falcons anytime TD scorer (BetMGM)
- Trey Sermon (-140)
- Bijan Robinson (-120)
- Zack Moss (-120)
- Michael Pittman Jr. (+145)
- Tyler Allgeier (+160)
- Josh Downs (+190)
- Drake London (+210)
- Kyle Pitts (+210)
- Taylor Heinicke (+240)
- Alec Pierce (+310)
- Gardner Minshew (+450)
Colts vs. Falcons Alternate Point Totals (FanDuel)
- Over 20.5: -20000
- Under 20.5: +2200
- Over 28.5: -1600
- Under 28.5: +750
- Over 36.5: -340
- Under 36.5: +250
- Over 52.5: +260
- Under 52.5: -360
- Over 60.5: +680
- Under 60.5: -1400
Colts vs. Falcons Three-Way Moneyline (DraftKings)
- Colts win: +100
- Tie: +5500
- Falcons win: -115
Colts vs. Falcons Predictions
Although the Falcons were embarrassed in their loss to the 1-12 Panthers last week, the defense held Carolina without a touchdown.
That unit is ranked 10th in the league in yards yielded and has allowed only five rushing TDs this season, second only to the four allowed by AFC juggernaut Baltimore.
With the Colts' running game likely not going to be up to speed and with the Falcons going with a veteran at QB this week, Atlanta should play a cleaner game. Plus, if Taylor plays after thumb surgery, will that injury affect his ability to protect the ball?
Regarding Minshew's strong game last week, bettors need to consider that he was going against a Steelers secondary that was depleted by the midgame ejection of one starter and an injury to three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Prediction: Falcons and UNDER
How to Watch Colts vs. Falcons
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 24
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium -- Atlanta, GA
- Where to Watch: Fox
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