NFL Betting Preview: New England at Indianapolis

NFL / Andy Richmond / 13 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

Recommendation: Take the +2.5 points start on offer for the Patriots, 1pt at [2.02] or better.

Two is the number here - two quality quarterbacks, two teams that really don't like one another, who happend to be two of the hottest teams in the NFL. With the Colts trying to catch New England's record for consecutive regular-season wins, Andy Richmond selects the best bets.

The focus will be on the two quarterbacks here and to a certain extent this game will boil down to who plays better, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.

Brady had a clear early edge over Manning in perhaps this decade's best rivalry featuring this decade's two most accomplished quarterbacks. The first six times Brady faced Manning, he won, but he is just 1-3 since then. Both signal-callers are in top form right now and this showdown should be full of drama.

I'm sure that Brady will be looking to take advantage of the banged up Colts. How will the Colts' rookie coach Jim Caldwell deal with that threat? They are dealing with several injuries in the defensive backfield and Patriots Coach Bill Belichick will undoubtedly try to exploit the banged-up secondary.

Both teams have built good defensive numbers against the pass this season, but you can throw out the such stats for this one. This will be all about two elite quarterbacks trying to outdo each other. While the Colts may try to prevent the big play to Randy Moss, Wes Welker will be well used by Brady in the intermediate passing range.The Colts do allow over 108 rushing yards per game, so expect a solid performance from RB Laurence Maroney as well.

Injuries make life difficult for the Colts defensively and Brady won't need asking twice to make the most of the opportunities that will occur due to those circumstances.

Recommendation: Take the +2.5 points start on offer for the Patriots, 1pt at 2.02 or better.