Mondays don’t have to be a drag as long as there’s a football game waiting for you when you come home from the start of the working week. With that said, you should definitely not miss out on next Monday night’s clash between two teams that had differing preseason outlooks and are respectively headed in opposite directions this regular season.
The Panthers will look to stay unbeaten as they greet the arrival of the Indianapolis Colts, who are desperate for a win to get back to the .500 mark. Join us as we break down this crucial midseason matchup, and how you can also make the most of your Monday night viewing and betting experiences alike.
For more coverage on Week 8’s other blockbuster matches, check out our complete previews for Green Bay vs. Denver and Miami vs. New England right after this.
[sc:Football ]Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
When: Monday, November 2, 9:30 PM ET
Line: Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Game Preview
The Indianapolis Colts (3-4) have to stop playing catch-up this season. The team tried to come back from a 27-point deficit in the second half of its Week 7 game at home against the New Orleans Saints, only to come up short.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Andrew Luck had another rough day passing the ball, completing just 23 of his 44 passes. He did still finish with 333 yards in the air, but his three touchdowns all came in the second half trying to climb out of a big hole, and he was also picked off twice in the 27-21 loss to the Saints.
As such, Indianapolis’ running game was virtually non-existent (just 13 carries for 75 rushing yards) as the team tried to come back from that huge lead of New Orleans. Next Monday night, the Colts will need every inch from Frank Gore and the rest of the backfield against the Panthers, who are allowing 110 rushing yards per contest this season.
But Luck and the lack of a ground game are not entirely at fault, as most of the team’s offensive stem from its porous O-line. Indy’s front line allowed its QB to get sacked four times and hit ten more instances during the game, preventing Luck from gaining any momentum on offense.
Things will not get any easier for the Colts, though, who will take on the Carolina Panthers (6-0) up next. Carolina is seventh in the league in total sacks this season (eight), and eighth in passing yards allowed per game (229.8).
Just this past Sunday night, the Carolina front seven got to Sam Bradford five times and limited him to 205 passing yards in the 27-16 win over the Philadelphila Eagles. With that in mind, the Panthers should come out aggressive and often against Luck and Indianapolis’ faltering offensive line.
But the team wouldn’t have a perfect record right now with a solid defense alone. Cam Newton is having an MVP-like season, doing everything on offense through the air and on the ground. In the win over the Eagles, Newton threw a touchdown and ran for another, marking the fourth time this season that he has a passing and rushing TD in a contest. He’s got to be careful with his passes, though, as he threw three picks against Philly, giving him seven interceptions now through six games.
Still, the Panthers’ running game pretty much has made up for Newton’s errant throws. The Panthers spend almost half of their possessions running the ball because they know they’re good at it, especially with Cam practically as the third member of the backfield. The team is tops in the league with 144.7 rushing yards per game, and should be able to gash Indianapolis’ 22nd-ranked run D.
Where to Watch
Each Monday Night Football game is broadcasted live on ESPN. But if you prefer to have complete access to any and all NFL games this season, a better option would be to subscribe to NFL’s Game Pass. With several packages to choose from, you can optimize your football viewing experience the way you like it for a reasonable cost. Simply head on over here to know more about NFL Game Pass now.
Betting Trends on the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis is winless in its last six games (1-5 ATS) against NFC South opponents.
The total has gone over in the Colts’ last two road games, but under in the six matches before them.
As underdogs, the Colts are 2-5 over their last seven games, but are 4-3 ATS in that same span.
The total has gone over in eight of Indianapolis’ last 10 games played in the month of November.
The Colts won and lost one game apiece in the team’s short history of playing at Carolina. The total went under on both occasions.
Betting Trends on the Carolina Panthers
Carolina has a four-game win streak (SU/ATS) against opponents from the AFC South.
The Panthers also have a six-game win streak in Bank of America Stadium, but only went 3-3 against the spread.
In general, Carolina is 9-1 in its last ten contests (7-2-1 ATS).
The Panthers won four of the team’s five lifetime encounters with the Colts, and went 4-1 ATS as well.
The Panthers are 1-3 SU/ATS in their last four November games.
Hot Wager
With the way that Carolina’s season is trending upwards both with the oddsmakers and the actual action on the field, the best bet here would be to place your stakes on the Panthers straight-up, regardless of the small return. The team is clicking at home right now, but its record against the spread has been received with mixed results.
Expect the total of the game to go under as well, considering the Colts’ struggles on offense, their recent trends that have worked against the bookmakers’ odds, and with Carolina being a clock-chewing, run-heavy team with a stout defense to boot.
Writer’s Prediction
Carolina wins its seventh in a row, 25-19, and stays undefeated for the season.
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