Football Line

Saints Colts betting is getting crazier by the day, and with the Super Bowl betting line dropping a full point, is Indianapolis in trouble?

New Orleans has been inconsistent over the second half of the season, but they have Drew Brees to lead one of the most explosive offenses in recent memory. The main question in this game is how Brees will handle the pressure of going up against one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time on the other side of the ball. On defense, the Saints have been known to give up a lot of yards, but they also force a lot of turnovers, and they’ve forced seven already in two playoff games, including five to stay alive in the NFC championship game against Minnesota.

Indianapolis has four-time MVP (and former Super Bowl MVP) Peyton Manning leading the way, and even without a rushing attack, the Colts are no joke on offense. Manning can go to Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, or he can make adjustments like two weeks ago and go with Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. On defense, the Colts have some questions, which is why the line has dropped a point since opening. Mainly, how is Dwight Freeney’s ankle? The defensive end says that the torn ligaments in his ankle feel better, but his game is built on speed and explosiveness, like the rest of the Indy defense, and you can’t plant on an ankle with torn ligaments. However, the Colts have shown an ability to make up for injuries, and they’re 9-3 without Freeney in the past. Led by Gary Brackett and Robert Mathis, the Colts have the experience to play without their star.

NFL picks: Colts -4.5

Betting players will have their eyes on the Super Bowl line a lot this week if they’re betting on the Indianapolis Colts, who have an injury worry.

Dwight Freeney led the Colts with 13 sacks in the regular season, but he hurt his right ankle in the AFC championship win over the New York Jets. It turns out that he has a third-degree sprain, which usually means a torn ligament, and he would a Superman if he could fight through it to play. It’s his right ankle, and Freeney uses a spin move that is very effective, but he plants on his right ankle, and there’s no way he would be anywhere close to 100% if he can get on the field. The Colts, however, are experienced enough to deal with this, as they’re 9-3 without Freeney in the past. They still have Robert Mathis on the other side, and the Colts have a speedy front seven that is underrated because they’re not the biggest in the league. Freeney is the only starter on either team to be in danger of missing the game, and he’ll do everything he can to play, but even if he does, he probably won’t be as effective as he usually is.

New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts

Super Bowl Odds: Colts -7.5

The New York Jets have won two straight times as a road underdog, so why not a third?

The Jets will take their show on the road to Indianapolis for the AFC Championship game in what should be a game that looks similar to their first two contests.

The Jets don’t do anything fancy. They run the ball, they play defense and they hang around. If you make a mistake, they’ll take advantage.

The Bengals did…the Chargers did…how about the Colts?

There were close to perfect this year but don’t be surprised if they slip up. The Jets force their opponents to make mistakes – that’s a recipe for success.

Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

Bookmaker Odds: Saints -4

The Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints were the two best teams in the NFC this year and now they will square off in the Championship game. It’s tough to side with the Vikings in this contest simply because they played so much better on the road than they did at home. At home, they haven’t lost but on the road, they are just 4-4.

The Saints have a lethal passing game and this teams remembers stumbling in the 2006 NFC Championship Game. They’ll get past it this time with a big win over the Vikings.