by Amedeus Mastrangelo
Monday, Dec 27, 2021
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, January 2, 2022
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Where to Watch: Fox
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Raiders +7.5, Colts -7.5; Over/Under: 45.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Raiders +7.5, Colts -7.5; Over/Under: 45.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Raiders +7.5, Colts -7.5; Over/Under: 45.5 points
Season Record
Las Vegas Raiders: 8-7 (3rd place, AFC West)
Indianapolis Colts: 9-6 (2nd place, AFC South)
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Las Vegas Raiders vs Indianapolis Colts Preview and Analysis
Recent Form
Las Vegas Raiders: won at home on December 26 against the Denver Broncos 17-13.
Indianapolis Colts: won on the road on Dec. 25 against the Arizona Cardinals 22-16.
Las Vegas Raiders Analysis
The Raiders are coming into this game with an 8-7 record overall and they are 4-3 in their road games this regular season where they will be in this game. Their last loss was against the Kansas City Chiefs but they have gone on a 2 game winning streak since then with wins coming against the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos in their last game. Derek Carr completed 20/25 passes for 201 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Josh Jacobs led the team in rushing with 129 yards on 27 carries while Peyton Barber had 22 yards and 1 touchdown on 5 receptions. Foster Moreau led the receivers with 67 yards on 4 receptions while Zay Jones had 50 yards on 6 receptions. Hunter Renfrow caught the lone touchdown pass in that one. Desmond Trufant led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles. Maxx Crosby and Quinton Jefferson both recorded the only sacks in that game with 1 each while no one on the defense was able to come up with an interception in that one. They have scored 316 points in their 15 games this season averaging 21.1 PPG and they have allowed their opponents to score 387 points against them allowing 25.8 PPG. Their offense is averaging 367.5 YPG while their defense is allowing 335.3 YPG.
Indianapolis Colts Analysis
The Indy Colts are coming into this game with a 9-6 record overall and they are 4-4 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They have won 6 of their last 7 games and are coming into this game on a 3 game winning streak after another win in their last game. Their last loss was against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while their 6 wins in that span came against the New York Jets, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Buffalo Bills, the Houston Texans, the New England Patriots, and the Arizona Cardinals in their last game on Saturday. Carson Wentz completed 18/28 passes for 225 yards, 2 touchdowns and no turnovers in that one. Jonathan Taylor had a nice day as he led the team in rushing with 108 total yards on 27 carries. Michael Pittman Jr. led the receivers with 82 yards on 8 receptions while T.Y. Hilton had 51 yards and 1 touchdown on 4 receptions. Dezmon Patmon caught the other touchdown pass in that one. E.J. Speed led the defense in that game with 8 solo tackles and 1 assisted one. No one on the defense recorded a sack in that game or came up with an interception for them in that one. They have scored 420 points in their 15 games this season averaging 28 PPG and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 316 points against them allowing 21.1 PPG. Their offense is averaging 360.4 YPG while their defense is allowing 346 YPG.
Raiders vs Colts Prediction
The Raiders are coming into this matchup as a 7.5 point underdog with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Raiders have been playing much better in their recent games with 2 straight wins and Carr was still able to move their offense without some of their best players in the game. The Colts have been hot recently but they are not blowing teams out in recent games and their quarterback is not an elite player who can lead them to victory by himself. The Raiders should be getting healthier for this game and they have the talent on their team to keep this game close and within a TD. The best wager to place in this game is on the Raiders to cover the spread in this game.
Raiders Colts Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, January 2, 2022 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Colts 27 Raiders 24.
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NFL Betting Trends
Las Vegas Raiders: 15-5 O/U as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 19-11 O/U as an underdog. 22-14 O/U against AFC South division opponents. 12-6 O/U in dome games. 16-9 O/U in games played on turf. 31-14 O/U after allowing 50 or less rushing yards last game. 45-24 O/U after outrushing the opponent by 75 or more yards last game.
Indianapolis Colts: 15-5 O/U off 1 or more consecutive unders. 5-0 O/U off a upset win as an underdog. 8-3 O/U off a road win. 8-0 O/U after a win by 6 or less points. 17-9 O/U after 1 or more consecutive wins.
Key Injuries
Las Vegas Raiders: D. Waller (TE) day-to-day - Knee injury. W. Compton (LB) day-to-day - Personal. J. Hankins (DT) day-to-day - Back injury.
Indianapolis Colts: J. Doyle (TE) day-to-day - Ankle injury. Z. Pascal (WR) Out indefinitely - Illness. D. Leonard (LB) Out indefinitely - Illness.
Notable Quotes
"Just give me a chance to play the style of ball that I want to play; the offensive line, we all came to an agreement and went out there and did it and executed." - Josh Jacobs on their win against the Broncos in their last game.
"This is one of the best team wins I've ever been a part of, considering everything. I'm sure there are some other good ones, but this is up there." - Frank Reich after his team’s win against the Cardinals in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Las Vegas Raiders
WR Jones, Zay
WR Edwards, Bryan
WR Renfrow, Hunter
TE Waller, Darren
QB CARR, DEREK
RB Jacobs, Josh
FB Smith, Sutton
Indianapolis Colts
WR HILTON, TY
WR Pittman Jr., Michael
WR Pascal, Zach
TE DOYLE, JACK
TE Alie-Cox, Mo
QB Wentz, Carson
RB Taylor, Jonathan
Statistical Leaders
Las Vegas Raiders
Passing: D. Carr (4363)
Rushing: J. Jacobs (677)
Receiving: H. Renfrow (949)
Touchdowns: J. Jacobs (7)
Indianapolis Colts
Passing: C. Wentz (3230)
Rushing: J. Taylor (1626)
Receiving: M. Pittman Jr. (971)
Touchdowns: J. Taylor (19)
Coaches:
Las Vegas Raiders: Rich Bisaccia (1st season Interim)
Indianapolis Colts: Frank Reich (4th season)
Amedeus Mastrangelo
About the Author:
Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.
