Indianapolis Colts vs. Arizona Cardinals Predictions, Odds, Picks

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

8 minute read

Dec. 25, 2021

Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) travel to meet the Arizona Cardinals (10-4) in a Saturday AFC vs. NFC matchup at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on NFL Network.

Score Prediction

Colts 34, Cardinals 26

Best Bets

Colts -105 ML at BetMGM

Over 49 (-110) at BetMGM

Indianapolis Colts vs. Arizona Cardinals Predictions

Remember in years past when these Saturday games didn't really have much impact on playoff races? Maybe one of the teams was in the mix, and the other was struggling with a losing record, but we watched anyway because, well, football. And betting. Now, the front end of Saturday's double dip has playoff implications for both teams, and the nightcap certain does, too.

The Colts find themselves a game behind the first-place Tennessee Titans in the AFC South Division with three games to go. They have picked up two straight victories since blowing a big lead against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12, including an impressive 27-17 win against the New England Patriots last Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts defense has picked up the pace, too, allowing 17, 0, 38, 15 and 17 in the previous five games. So while a lot of people are talking about RB Jonathan Taylor and the offense, the D has been humming along keeping them in it.

The Cardinals were blasted by the lowly Detroit Lions last Sunday, falling 30-12 as a 13-point favorite. It was an inexplicable loss, and the Cardinals, once believed to be the best team in the NFC, is now tied with the Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFC West, and they're among four teams with the same record in the NFC behind the Green Bay Packers (11-3), who play earlier on Saturday. While it once appeared the Cards were fighting for a first-round bye in the NFC, and they still could, now they're just trying to hang onto a first-round home playoff game with a difficult schedule on tap.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Odds

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Indianapolis Colts vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Resources

Matchup: AFC South vs. NFC West
Date: Saturday, December 25, 2021
Venue: State Farm Stadium
Location: Glendale, Arizona
TV-Time: NFLN - 8:15 p.m. ET

Indianapolis Colts Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 8-6
ATS: 9-5
O/U: 8-6
ATS - Away: 5-1

The Colts opened the season 0-3 SU, and 1-2 ATS. A lot of people were down on QB Carson Wentz, tossing around the 'bust' label. A trip to Miami on Oct. 3 got the Colts on track. Indianapolis rattled off four consecutive covers from Weeks 4-7. The Colts haven't had non-covers in back-to-back games this season, and they're 9-5 ATS in 14 games overall. The offense has been on fire, going for 27 or more points in four consecutive outings, while going for 23 or more points in 11 straight games since that turnaround game in South Florida in Week 4.

Indianapolis heads into this one with an 8-3 ATS mark across those 11 games dating back to Miami, while going 5-0 ATS in the past five on the road, while going 4-0 ATS in the past four as a road underdog. The Colts are also 4-1 ATS in the past five as an underdog, while going 4-0 ATS in the past four as a road 'dog. They're also 5-2 ATS in the past seven games against teams wit ha winning overall record, too.

For totals, the Colts have cashed the OVER in four of the past five road games, while going 5-0 in the past five as an underdog. The OVER is also 4-0 in the past four as a road 'dog, too. Better yet, Indy has hit the OVER in 11 of the past 12 games against teams with a winning record, while hitting the OVER in six straight on the road against teams with a winning home record.

Arizona Cardinals Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 10-4
ATS: 9-5
O/U: 7-7
ATS - Home: 2-4

The Cardinals have had a tale of two seasons. HC Kliff Kingsbury's group started out 7-0 SU, losing in Week 8 on a short week against the Green Bay Packers by a 24-21 score on Thursday Night Football. the Cards didn't lose a game on a Sunday until mid-November against the visiting Carolina Panthers, a game which QB Kyler Murray and WR DeAndre Hopkins missed due to injury. The latter returned briefly, but he is now expected to miss the remainder of the regular season due to a sprained knee. And no, future Hall of Famer and Cardinals legend WR Larry Fitzgerald hasn't been contemplating a return to help his old team.

Arizona opened the season 6-1 ATS through the first seven games, while going 3-4 ATS since. They're also 2-3 SU across the past five games, while scoring 23 or fewer points in four of the past five outings. The defense has also allowed 30 points in each of the past two games, both losses, after having allowed 30 or more points in just two of the first 12 contests.

The Cardinals enter just 3-8 ATS in the past 11 games at home, while going 1-4 ATS in the past five against favorites and 2-7 ATS in the past nine games against teams with a winning record, too. For totals, the OVER is 7-3 in the past 10 games against teams with a winning record.

The Indianapolis Colts are a perfect 5-0 ATS in the past five games on the road. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Indianapolis Colts

Record: 8-6
Division Standing: 3-2
Points Scored: 398
Points Allowed: 300
PS/G: 28.4
PA/G: 21.4

Inside the Stats - Arizona Cardinals

Record: 10-4
Division Standing: 4-1
Points Scored: 378
Points Allowed: 284
PS/G: 27.0
PA/G: 20.3

Key Players to Watch

IND: Jonathan Taylor - RB (270 rushes, 1,518 yards, 17 TD)
IND: Carson Wentz - QB (271/432, 3,005 yards, 23 TD, 6 INT)
ARI: James Conner - RB (187 rushes, 700 yards, 16 total TDs)
ARI: Kyler Murray - QB (252/361m 3,039 yards, 20 TD, 10 INT)

Indianapolis Colts vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Conclusion

These are two teams going in completely different directions. And it might not get much better, as the Arizona Cardinals rank 27th in rushing yards per attempt, and Taylor is heading in looking to keep rolling. He leads the NFL with 1,518 rushing yards while looking for more, and he has a 424-yard cushion over the next closest running back. He'll look to put things further out of reach, and the Cardinals might not be able to do anything about it.

To make matters worse, the Arizona offense is struggling, particularly the offensive line. The O-line has allowed seven sacks in the past three games to the mobile Murray, who has appeared visibly upset in recent games. And it doesn't help that Nuk is sidelined due to his torn medial collateral ligament.

Playing Indianapolis is the way to go, but the only thing which should give bettors pause is the fact the game is in Arizona. Of course, the Colts are 5-0 ATS in the past five road games, while going 4-0 ATS in the past four as a road 'dog. And playing in Arizona might not be a huge advantage for the Cardinals anyway, as they're just 3-3 SU/ATS in six games at home. Look for the Colts to continue rolling here.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Trends

Indianapolis is 8-3 ATS in the past 11 games overall.
Indianapolis is 5-0 ATS in the past five road games.
Indianapolis is 4-1 ATS in the past five games as an underdog.
Indianapolis is 5-2 ATS in the past seven against winning teams.
Arizona is 3-8 ATS in the past 11 home games.
Arizona is 1-4 ATS in the past five as a favorite.
Arizona is 2-7 ATS in the past seven against winning teams.
The OVER is 4-1 in the past five road games for Indianapolis.
The OVER is 11-1 in the past 12 against teams with a winning record for Indianapolis.
The OVER is 7-3 in the past 10 against teams with a winning record for Arizona.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
Check out the North Carolina Sportsbooks just before they launch legal online sports betting.

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Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish