Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills: 1/9/21 NFL Picks and Predictions
Photo by David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills (13-3) vs Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
Game Info: Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 1:05 pm (Bills Stadium)
Betting Odds: Buffalo Bills -6.5 -- Over/Under: 52 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills face off on Saturday in an AFC Wild Card showdown at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The Indianapolis Colts almost were able to come away with the AFC South crown, but the Titans also winning in Week 17 eliminated that chance. This is a Colts team that currently sits with an 11-5 record overall, but there has still been some inconsistency. Quarterback Phillip Rivers on the season has thrown for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. At times this season it seems that Rivers still has a turnover at a horrible team, and in this game, that is something that can’t happen. On the season, the Colts are averaging 28.2 points per game while their defense is giving up 22.6 points per game. Running back Jonathan Taylor has been a star for this team putting up 1,169 yards, and 11 touchdowns. In the last game against the Jaguars, Taylor had 30 attempts for 253 yards and a touchdown. On defense the Colts are going to need to be strong and try to not let this game get into a shootout. One big loss for this team is that star tackle Anthony Castonzo is still out and that is a big loss to the offensive line.
On the other side of this matchup is the Buffalo Bills who sit with a 13-3 record overall and they even won their last game against the Dolphins with backups for most of the game. On the season, the Bills are averaging 31.3 points per game while their defense is giving up 23.4 points per game. Josh Allen has been a game changer for this franchise and on the season he has thrown for 4,544 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Josh Allen has also been a threat with his legs, and they are going to need him to use that in this game. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs has also been a game changer for the Bills catching up 127 receptions for 1,535 yards, and eight touchdowns. As much as the Colts don’t want this to be a high scoring game the Bills shouldn’t mind a shootout. The higher scoring this game is, the better the chance they will be victorious.
The under is 9-2 in the Colts last 11 playoff road games. The under is 11-3 in the Colts last 14 Saturday games. The Bills are 8-0 against the spread in their last eight games overall.
The Bills should cover this number, but it’s a big number for a playoff game so that’s only a lean. The play in this game is with the over to cash. The Bills are going to run up the score, but I don’t think their defense is going to find all that much success. Back the over to cash with ease.
Shane’s Pick Over
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
Mitch's Take...
