People betting the 2010 Super Bowl odds didn’t think that new head coach Jim Caldwell would be able to keep the Indianapolis Colts a well-oiled machine. After all, Tony Dungy meant so much to the team and his retirement obviously had a big impact on the team. Nonetheless, the coaching change from Dungy to Caldwell could not have been any smoother. NFL betting fans saw the Colts start the season with 14 straight wins, which adds to another in the long line of 10-game winning seasons in the Peyton Manning era, and saw the Colts flirt with perfection.
As it stands now, they’ll have to face the team that ruined their perfection in the AFC Championship Game.
The Colts were in a very unique position in Week 16 and they made a controversial decision that could be second-guessed. With a 14-0 record, the Colts had already locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC along with home-field advantage through the playoffs, which meant that win or lose, they were playing for nothing. But some people might not a call a perfect regular season record ‘nothing’.
On the other hand, the Jets needed the win just to keep their playoff hopes alive and not only did they get that win, they have won their way all the way to the AFC Championship game.
If the Colts win, then Caldwell and the coaching staff made the right move. If not, then the Colts will regret not disposing of the Jets when they had the chance.
The sportsbook odds makers (us sportsbook review) favor the Colts heavily because the Jets are a fairly one-dimensional team. The Jets run the ball well but everyone knows they have to run the ball because they are playing with a rookie quarterback at the helm.
The Colts faced a very similar team last week when the Baltimore Ravens were in town and they know what they are up against. If the Colts can succeed in shutting down the Jets running game, then winning this game will be rather easy. If not, the Jets will hang around.
The Jets got lucky last week as they won 17-14 over the San Diego Chargers, whose Pro Bowl kicker, Nate Kaeding, missed three field goals.
The Colts won’t make those types of mistakes.
NFL Picks: Colts -7.5
