The Indianapolis Colts are on a roll and have completely turned their season around. In Week 17, they’ll face the Las Vegas Raiders. Let’s take a look at the Raiders vs. Colts matchup, the current NFL odds, and make a pick and prediction.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Indianapolis Colts pick, prediction | Week 17
- Spread: Colts -7.5 (Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Moneyline: Colts -350, Raiders +270
- Over/Under: 45
The Colts have won six games out of their last seven, with the only loss coming against the current Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They’re one of the hottest teams in the league right now. Jonathan Taylor is having an MVP-caliber season, and Indianapolis is flourishing around him.
[bet-promo id=”174860″ ]With only two weeks left in the regular season, Indy has worked all the way up to 9-6 with two very winnable games in front of them. They’re now just one game behind the 10-5 Titans. If Tennessee slips up at all, the Colts could take the division, and as a result, the higher playoff spot.
An Indianapolis win against the Raiders — while the Titans fight a Dolphins team on a seven-game win streak — could open up the AFC South.
Raiders struggle to 8-7
Considering everything they’ve faced this season, it’s pretty amazing that the Raiders have a winning record. That said, they’re not exactly playing the best football right now. Las Vegas has scrapped and fought for two straight wins, which is by no means an easy feat. But let’s look at the bigger picture.
Their first win came against a second-string Browns roster with Nick Mullens — who had never taken a snap in a Cleveland uniform — under center. Then, the Raiders beat a Broncos team with Drew Lock at quarterback.
I’m not taking anything away from the Raiders. But while they might be 8-7 and in the hunt for a playoff spot, they’re not truly a postseason team in their current state. Las Vegas has the hardest remaining path of any team with a shot at the AFC playoffs. They need to beat both the Colts and the Chargers in their final two games in order to have a chance of getting in. They’ll also need the Dolphins to lose one of their final two games.
That’s not going to be easy. Don’t rule Derek Carr and Co. out by any means, but Week 17’s contest against the Colts is a major hurdle for the Raiders.
Raiders vs. Colts betting trends
The Raiders covered the spread against the Broncos in Week 16 after going into the game a 1-point underdog. That marked their first win against the spread in four weeks. Las Vegas has only hit one over in their last four. They’ve done a good job of holding opposing offenses to relatively low scores — except for the Chiefs, of course.
Kansas City put up 48 points against Las Vegas. They managed the over for the game all by themselves, and the Raiders’ 9 points just helped to push it over the top. Vegas is now 6-9 against the spread for the season and 7-8 on over/unders.
The Colts have covered three spreads and three unders in their last three games. Their defense is showing up, holding the likes of Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to 16 points.
Indy is 10-5 against the spread for the season while going 8-7 on over/unders.
Raiders vs. Colts prediction
This one is going to be too much for the Raiders. The Colts are dominant on both sides of the ball, and Las Vegas is not consistent enough to keep up. They will allow Carson Wentz, Taylor, and the Colts offense too many drives, which should result in at least 28 points. That’s a total I just can’t see the Raiders hitting right now, no matter how much Carr tries to will it into existence.
In my opinion, the Raiders would have to be absolutely flawless to cover the spread in this one. I think it gets away from them, and the Colts score roughly 30 points — so I’ll take Indy to win and the under for the game.
Raiders vs. Colts Prediction: Colts 30, Raiders 13