The Indianapolis Colts are riding a 4-game winning streak. The Cincinnati Bengals need a win to stay in the thick of the playoff race. Let’s preview this game and give out a Indianapolis Colts vs Cincinnati Bengals prediction.
Indianapolis Colts Betting Preview
The Indianapolis Colts have beaten the Panthers, Patriots, Buccaneers and Titans during this streak. The Colts are tied with the Texans for the second-best record in the AFC South. Gardner Minshew is completing 62.8 percent of his passes for 2,284 yards, 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs have combined for 1,469 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while Alec Pierce has 25 receptions. The Indianapolis Colts ground game is averaging 115.8 yards per contest, and Zack Moss leads the way with 723 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, Indianapolis is allowing 24.7 points and 355.3 yards per game. Zaire Franklin leads the Indianapolis Colts with 130 tackles, Samson Ebukam has 8 sacks and Kenny Moore II has 3 interceptions.
Indianapolis Colts Team Facts
- The Colts have lost each of their last three games as favorites against AFC North opponents.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Colts’ last five games.
- The Colts have lost the first quarter in six of their last seven games as favorites against AFC opponents.
- The Colts have scored the first touchdown in four of their last five games.
- The Colts have lost the first half in nine of their last 10 games as favorites against AFC opponents.
Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview
The Cincinnati Bengals upset the Jaguars on Monday night to snap a 3-game losing streak. The Bengals haven’t won back to back games since beating the 49ers and Bills in week 8-9. Jake Browning is completing 75.6 percent of his passes for 649 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd have combined for 1,562 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while Tee Higgins has 30 receptions. The Cincinnati Bengals ground game is averaging 82.5 yards per contest, and Joe Mixon leads the way with 689 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Cincinnati is allowing 22.8 points and 388.2 yards per game. Logan Wilson leads the Cincinnati Bengals with 97 tackles, Trey Hendrickson has 11.5 sacks and Cam Taylor-Britt has 4 interceptions.
Cincinnati Bengals Team Facts
- The Bengals have won each of their last nine games at Paycor Stadium following a road win.
- The Bengals have covered the spread in each of their last seven games in December.
- The Bengals have won the first quarter in seven of their last eight December games as home underdogs against AFC opponents.
- The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in eight of their last nine home games against AFC opponents.
- The Bengals have won the first half in each of their last eight games at Paycor Stadium following a road win.
Indianapolis Colts vs Cincinnati Bengals prediction
The Colts are getting the benefit of the doubt here because of their winning streak, and having the rest advantage doesn’t hurt. However, the Bengals are coming back home, they’re off a huge confidence boosting win over the Jaguars and now they’re back in the thick of the playoff race. Also, Jake Browning is coming off a big time per romance where he threw for 354 yards and completed 86.5 percent of his passes. It’s one game, but it’s a victory that could have some carry over. It’s also expected to be yucky and rainy, and the Colts don’t have Johnathan Taylor. Give me the Bengals and the points.