NFL Trends and Indexes - Week 8 (Thursday, October 29 - Monday, November 2)

[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, November 1

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Sunday Night Football betting preview: Packers at Broncos
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Sunday's contest pits teams 6-0 or better for the fourth time in NFL history, and first since New England (8-0) faced Indianapolis (7-0) in 2007.

Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos (+2.5, 45.5)

The Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos share many similarities, namely future Hall of Fame quarterbacks, unblemished records and questions surrounding their respective running games. The Broncos, however, boast the league's most dominant defense and that could prove to be the difference when the teams test their mettle in Denver on Sunday.

The Broncos have scored a defensive touchdown in four of the last six contests, including a 26-23 overtime victory at Cleveland on Oct. 18. Denver's opportunistic defense will be challenged by two-time and reigning league MVP Aaron Rodgers, who tossed a pair of touchdowns - including the sixth to familiar target James Jones - in a 27-20 victory over San Diego on Oct. 18. Denver's Peyton Manning has struggled mightily this season, throwing two touchdowns against seven interceptions in the last three games. Should the league's only five-time MVP right the ship, Manning would tie former Packers star Brett Favre for most victories (186) by a quarterback in the regular season.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC.

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Packers as 2.5-point road faves and the total at 46.

INJURY REPORT:

Packers - WR Davante Adams (Probable, ankle), S Morgan Burnett (Probable, calf), CB Damarious Randall (Questionable, ankle), RB James Starks (Questionable, hip), LB Nick Perry (Questionable, shoulder), DT B.J. Raji (Questionable, groin), WR Ty Montgomery (Questionable, ankle), S Sean Richardson (I-R, neck), TE Andrew Quarless (I-R, knee), DT Josh Boyd (I-R, ankle), LB Sam Barrington (I-R, ankle), WR Jordy Nelson (I-R, knee).

Broncos - LB Demarcus Ware (Probable, back), WR Emmanuel Sanders (Probable, shoulder), WR Jordan Norwood (Questionable, hamstring), RB Juwan Thompson (Questionable, hamstring), T Ty Sambrailo (Doubtful, shoulder), LB Shane Ray (Early Dec., knee), TE Jeff Heuerman (Out for season, knee), T Ryan Clady (I-R, knee).

WEATHER: Temperatures in the low-60s with wind blowing across the field at around 7 mph.

POWER RANKINGS: Packers (-6) + Broncos (-4.5) + home field (-3.0) = Broncos -1.5

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "I?m still not sold on the Packers ability to stop the run defensively. Dom Capers stop unit has allowed 4.7 yards per carry, ranked in the bottom quartile of the NFL. Here?s a stat I didn?t expect to see: Peyton Manning is tied with Sam Bradford with ten interceptions, the most INT?s for any quarterback in the league this year."

ABOUT THE PACKERS (6-0 SU, 5-1 ATS, 2-4 O/U): After battling a nagging ankle injury, Eddie Lacy dealt with a different issue this week as reporters questioned whether the 234-pound - give or take a few - running back is being hampered by his weight. Lacy was limited to four carries for three yards versus the Chargers, with backup James Starks receiving the bulk of the work in that contest. Starks has been hampered by an ailing hip this week and coach Mike McCarthy hinted that Lacy could shoulder the load versus Denver by revealing that he is "starting to get back to himself."

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (6-0 SU, 4-2 ATS, 2-4 O/U): Ronnie Hillman (team-leading 323 yards rushing) said he believes Denver's ground attack is about to get on track. "The offensive line is starting to get in a groove and it's making it easier for us to run," said Hillman, who rushed for 111 yards against the Browns before the team's bye. C.J. Anderson (2.7 yards per carry) admitted he was more injured than he let on earlier in the season, but told the Denver Post that he feels ready to go after the bye week.

TRENDS:

* Home team is 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings.
* Under is 4-1 in Broncos last five home games.
* Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games.
* Broncos are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a ATS loss.

CONSENSUS: Sixty-five percent of users are backing the Packers.

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[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, November 1


Packers upgrade Randall, Raji to probable

The Green Bay Packers upgraded cornerback Damarious Randall and defensive tackle DT B.J. Raji to probable on their injury report Saturday.

Randall has an ankle injury and Raji has a groin injury.

The team downgraded wide receiver Ty Montgomery (ankle) to doubtful.

The Packers visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.



Bengals are last team without an ATS loss

The Cincinnati Bengals head into Sunday's meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the only team without a loss against the spread so far this season. Cincy heads into Sunday's matchup with an unblemished 6-0 record straight up and is 5-0-1 ATS in those games.

The push came in Week 5 when the Bengals defeated the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 27-24 as 3-point home favorites.

There has been some line movement in Sunday's meeting with the Steelers. Books opened the Steelers as 1.5-point home dogs, but that currently sits at Steelers -1 at the time of writing.


Falcons dominant at home versus Bucs in Matt Ryan era

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has won six of his seven home starts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has a 152.8 rating, six touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two meetings in Atlanta.

The Falcons are 3-4 against the spread in those games and the Over/Under count is 4-3.

The one loss came in 2012 when the Bucs triumphed by a score of 22-17.

This time around, the Falcons are 7.5-point home favorites and head into the game with a 4-3 record ATS.


Chiefs QB Smith has good history versus Lions

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has only played the Detroit Lions four times in his career and all four of those came as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, but he has posted some solid numbers versus the NFC North team.

Smith is 4-0 straight up in those four games, throwing for 717 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception. Smith's teams have profitable at the betting window in those games as well, going 3-0-1 against the spread with the Over/Under count coming in at 0-3-1.

The Chiefs and Lions will play in London, England Sunday with books currently offering the Chiefs as 3.5-point favorites after opening -6.

[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, November 1


NFL injury report for Sunday's games

ARIZONA CARDINALS at CLEVELAND BROWNS

ARIZONA CARDINALS

--Out: TE Darren Fells (shoulder), LB Alex Okafor (calf)

--Questionable: WR John Brown (hamstring), WR Brittan Golden (groin), CB Jerraud Powers (hamstring)

--Probable: CB Justin Bethel (foot), S Deone Bucannon (elbow), LB Dwight Freeney (finger), DT Frostee Rucker (quadriceps), C Lyle Sendlein (ankle)

CLEVELAND BROWNS

--Out: WR Andrew Hawkins (concussion), TE Rob Housler (hamstring), S Jordan Poyer (shoulder)

--Questionable: S Tashaun Gipson (ankle), QB Josh McCown (right shoulder, ribs), LB Craig Robertson (ankle)

--Probable: RB Isaiah Crowell (ribs), CB Joe Haden (concussion, finger), DE John Hughes (knee), LB Paul Kruger (illness), QB Johnny Manziel (right elbow), WR Marlon Moore (hamstring), CB K'Waun Williams (hamstring)


CINCINNATI BENGALS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS

CINCINNATI BENGALS

--Questionable: CB Leon Hall (back)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

--Out: S Will Allen (ankle), LB Terence Garvin (knee), DE Stephon Tuitt (knee), QB Michael Vick (hamstring)

--Probable: CB William Gay (shoulder), LB James Harrison (not injury related), TE Heath Miller (not injury related), QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee), TE Matt Spaeth (not injury related), C Cody Wallace (illness)


DETROIT LIONS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

DETROIT LIONS

--Out: LB DeAndre Levy (hip)

--Questionable: T LaAdrian Waddle (knee)

--Probable: RB Joique Bell (ankle), WR Calvin Johnson (not injury related), P Sam Martin (left knee), CB Rashean Mathis (illness), TE Brandon Pettigrew (elbow), QB Matthew Stafford (quadriceps), LB Stephen Tulloch (illness)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

--Out: DE Mike Devito (concussion), G Ben Grubbs (neck), LB Ramik Wilson (ankle)

--Questionable: LB Tamba Hali (knee)

--Probable: TE Travis Kelce (groin), WR Jeremy Maclin (concussion), LB Joshua Mauga (groin, Achilles), DT Dontari Poe (ankle), QB Alex Smith (right thumb), RB Charcandrick West (pectoral)


MINNESOTA VIKINGS at CHICAGO BEARS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

--Out: LB Audie Cole (finger), TE Rhett Ellison (concussion), DT Sharrif Floyd (knee, ankle), DE Justin Trattou (foot)

--Probable: DT Tom Johnson (knee), RB Zach Line (neck), RB Adrian Peterson (hip, finger, ankle), WR Adam Thielen (ankle), WR Jarius Wright (concussion)

CHICAGO BEARS

--Doubtful: LB Shea McClellin (knee)

--Questionable: T Jermon Bushrod (shoulder), DT Bruce Gaston (illness), C Hroniss Grasu (neck), S Antrel Rolle (ankle)

--Probable: LB Pernell McPhee (not injury related), G Patrick Omameh (ankle), G Matt Slauson (knee, shoulder)


NEW YORK GIANTS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

NEW YORK GIANTS

--Out: CB Prince Amukamara (pectoral), WR Victor Cruz (calf), DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (hamstring), LB J.T. Thomas (ankle)

--Questionable: LB Jon Beason (ankle)

--Probable: WR Odell Beckham (hamstring), G Geoff Schwartz (ankle), LB Uani' Unga (neck)

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

--Out: LB David Hawthorne (hamstring), T Andrus Peat (knee)

--Doubtful: LB Dannell Ellerbe (hip)

--Questionable: CB Keenan Lewis (hip)

--Probable: T Terron Armstead (knee), WR Marques Colston (not injury related), G Jahri Evans (not injury related), G Mike McGlynn (not injury related), CB Damian Swann (concussion), DT Kevin Williams (not injury related)


NEW YORK JETS at OAKLAND RAIDERS

NEW YORK JETS

--Out: RB Bilal Powell (ankle), S Calvin Pryor (ankle), WR Devin Smith (ankle)

--Doubtful: C Nick Mangold (neck)

--Questionable: G Willie Colon (knee), WR Eric Decker (knee), CB Buster Skrine (shoulder, hand)

--Probable: S Dion Bailey (hip), T Breno Giacomini (thumb), RB Chris Ivory (hamstring), CB Dexter McDougle (hand), P Ryan Quigley (right shin), RB Stevan Ridley (knee), DE Leonard Williams (knee), CB Marcus Williams (hamstring)

OAKLAND RAIDERS

--Out: LB Neiron Ball (knee)

--Probable: DT Denico Autry (concussion), CB T.J. Carrie (shoulder), DT Justin Ellis (ankle), CB Keith McGill (foot), S Charles Woodson (shoulder, knee)


SAN DIEGO CHARGERS at BALTIMORE RAVENS

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

--Out: G Orlando Franklin (ankle), LB Manti Te'o (ankle), S Eric Weddle (groin), LB Tourek Williams (foot)

--Doubtful: LB Denzel Perryman (biceps)

--Questionable: TE Antonio Gates (knee), DT Sean Lissemore (hamstring), CB Craig Mager (hamstring)

--Probable: RB Melvin Gordon (ankle), C Chris Watt (groin, concussion)

BALTIMORE RAVENS

--Out: WR Breshad Perriman (knee), CB Tray Walker (concussion)

--Doubtful: T Eugene Monroe (shoulder)

--Questionable: S Kendrick Lewis (knee), G Kelechi Osemele (knee), TE Maxx Williams (knee, ankle)

--Probable: S Terrence Brooks (thumb), WR Steve Smith (knee)


SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at ST. LOUIS RAMS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

--Out: RB Carlos Hyde (foot)

--Questionable: WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring)

--Probable: G Alex Boone (shoulder, knee), LB Navorro Bowman (shoulder), LB Ahmad Brooks (shoulder), DT Tony Jerod-Eddie (not injury related), QB Colin Kaepernick (right hand), T Erik Pears (back), S Eric Reid (chest), T Joe Staley (shoulder)

ST. LOUIS RAMS

--Out: DE Chris Long (knee)

--Questionable: DE William Hayes (thigh), RB Tre Mason (ankle), S T.J. McDonald (shoulder), DE Robert Quinn (knee)

--Probable: DT Nick Fairley (illness), TE Lance Kendricks (thumb), LB James Laurinaitis (elbow)


SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at DALLAS COWBOYS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

--Questionable: T Russell Okung (toe, ankle)

--Probable: DE Cliff Avril (ankle), DE Michael Bennett (not injury related), CB Marcus Burley (hand), RB Derrick Coleman (concussion), DE Demarcus Dobbs (shoulder), DT Jordan Hill (quadriceps), C Patrick Lewis (ankle), RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring), LB Nick Moody (ankle), RB Thomas Rawls (calf)

DALLAS COWBOYS

--Out: RB Joseph Randle (back)

--Questionable: WR Dez Bryant (foot), S Barry Church (ankle)

--Probable: WR Brice Butler (hamstring), CB Morris Claiborne (illness), TE James Hanna (ankle), DE Demarcus Lawrence (back)


TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at ATLANTA FALCONS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

--Out: T Reid Fragel (concussion), DT Tony McDaniel (groin)

--Doubtful: WR Vincent Jackson (knee), DT Clinton McDonald (pectoral), TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder), S Major Wright (hamstring)

--Probable: G Logan Mankins (not injury related), DT Gerald McCoy (shoulder), WR Russell Shepard (hamstring), C Evan Smith (ankle)

ATLANTA FALCONS

--Out: WR Leonard Hankerson (hamstring), S William Moore (groin)

--Questionable: WR Nick Williams (hamstring)

--Probable: DT Jonathan Babineaux (back), LB O'Brien Schofield (knee)


TENNESSEE TITANS at HOUSTON TEXANS

TENNESSEE TITANS

--Out: CB Perrish Cox (hamstring), WR Harry Douglas (ribs), QB Marcus Mariota (knee)

--Questionable: C Andy Gallik (concussion), CB Jason McCourty (hamstring)

--Probable: S Michael Griffin (knee), DT Sammie Lee Hill (knee)

HOUSTON TEXANS

--Out: LB Akeem Dent (hamstring), CB Kareem Jackson (ankle), C Greg Mancz (knee), LB Benardrick McKinney (concussion), WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring)

--Questionable: G Brandon Brooks (toe), CB Charles James (foot), DE J.J. Watt (back)

--Probable: LB Jadeveon Clowney (illness, ankle), S Quintin Demps (hamstring), C Ben Jones (thumb), T Derek Newton (toe), RB Chris Polk (knee), RB Jay Prosch (knee)


GREEN BAY PACKERS at DENVER BRONCOS on Sunday night

GREEN BAY PACKERS

--Questionable: WR Ty Montgomery (ankle), LB Nick Perry (shoulder, hand), DT B.J. Raji (groin), CB Damarious Randall (ankle), RB James Starks (hip)

--Probable: WR Davante Adams (ankle), S Morgan Burnett (calf), LB Nate Palmer (chest)

DENVER BRONCOS

--Out: LB Shane Ray (knee)

--Doubtful: T Ty Sambrailo (shoulder)

--Questionable: WR Jordan Norwood (hamstring)

--Probable: S Omar Bolden (foot), TE Owen Daniels (shoulder), T Ryan Harris (knee), G Evan Mathis (hamstring), LB Von Miller (not injury related), LB Corey Nelson (knee), WR Emmanuel Sanders (shoulder), CB Aqib Talib (ankle), RB Juwan Thompson (hamstring), LB DeMarcus Ware (back)

[Udog]

Essential Week 8 betting notes for NFL Sunday

Matt Ryan has won six of his seven home starts against the Buccaneers and has a 152.8 rating, six touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two meetings in Atlanta.

Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5, 44.5)

Game played in London, England

* The Lions have played in London once before, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 22-21 but failing to covers as 3.5-point faves in Week 8 last season.

* Chiefs QB Alex Smith is 4-0 against the Lions with 717 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception (all with the 49ers). Smith's teams have gone 3-0-1 ATS and 0-3-1 O/U in those games.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (-7.5, 48.5)

* Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson, who has 30 catches for 393 yards and four TDs in his last four games against Atlanta, is expected to sit out with a knee injury.

* Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has won six of his seven home starts against the Buccaneers and has a 152.8 rating, six touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two meetings in Atlanta. The Falcons are 3-4 ATS and the Over/Under count is 4-3 in those seven games.


Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns (+5.5, 46)

* The Cardinals hope to exploit Cleveland's league-worst run defense with Chris Johnson, who ranks second in the NFL with 567 yards. Arizona also has a potent passing attack, as it is sixth in the league with an average of 281.3 yards while Carson Palmer entered Week 8 tied with New England's Tom Brady for first with 16 touchdown tosses.

* Cleveland is allowing 151 rushing yards per game and has surrendered at least 24 points in six of its seven contests.


San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams (-8, 39.5)

* Beleaguered quarterback Colin Kaepernick (13-for-24, 124 yards) routinely misfired versus the Seahawks and has been sacked 25 times, tied for the second most in the league. St. Louis, which has accumulated the NFL's second-most sacks (23) this season, recorded an astounding eight in its last meeting with its NFC West rival.

* Todd Gurley reached triple digits in rushing yards for the third consecutive game, amassing 433 and two touchdowns in that stretch to earn NFC Offensive Rookie of the Month honors. The 10th overall pick of the 2015 draft has run roughshod when it counts, bolting for an NFL-best 213 yards and amassing a sterling 9.26 yards per carry during the fourth quarter.


New York Giants at New Orleans Saints (-3.5, 49)

* Eli Manning has thrown for a combined 359 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in two starts since his 441-yard eruption in a Week 5 victory over San Francisco, but New York overcame a sluggish offensive performance against Dallas by forcing four turnovers.

* The Over has yet to cash in New Orleans this season. Heading into Sunday's game, the Over/Under count at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is just 0-2-1 O/U.


Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (+1, 42.5)

* The Vikings have lost seven-straight games at Soldier Field and have gone 1-6 ATS in the process.

* The biggest positive to come out of a 37-34 loss at Detroit prior to the bye week was the performance of Jay Cutler and the offense, which posted its highest point total of the season. Cutler threw for 353 yards in the loss and got a big boost from wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who racked up 147 yards and a touchdown after missing the previous four games with a hamstring injury.


San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5, 50.5)

* The Chargers are 1-12 ATS in their last 13 vs. AFC, including an 0-4 ATS mark this year and a 1-8 ATS clip in their last nine versus the conference last season.

* Baltimore RB Justin Forsett has rushed for 98 yards in his last two weeks after recording 271 in his previous two.


Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (PK, 48.5)

* The Bengals have not been a strong wager when they travel to Pittsburgh of late, going 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five trips there.

* Steelers WR Antonio Brown has seen his numbers take a dip without Roethlisberger, recording just 17 receptions for 235 yards in four games without the star quarterback.


Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans (-4.5, 42.5)

* The Titans, who will rely on quarterback Zach Mettenberger once again, have gone just 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight meetings with the Texans.

* Texans DE J.J. Watt missed practice during the week with a minor back issue but is expected to play.


New York Jets at Oakland Raiders (+3, 43.5)

* Ryan Fitzpatrick never has lost to the Raiders, going 3-0 while passing for 723 yards and seven touchdowns with just one interception.

* The Over has gone 8-1 in the Raiders' last nine games vs. AFC, including a 4-1 mark this season. The lone under came against the Denver Broncos in Week 5 this season.


Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys (+4.5, 41.5)

* No quarterback in the league has been sacked more that Seattle's Russell Wilson, who heads into Dallas being taken down 31 times so far.

* The Dallas Cowboys are in dire need of a spark in the wake of a four-game losing streak and may get just that in the person of star wide receiver Dez Bryant, who appears poised to return to the lineup for Sunday's matchup.


Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos (+2.5, 45.5)

* After battling a nagging ankle injury, Eddie Lacy dealt with a different issue this week as reporters questioned whether the 234-pound - give or take a few - running back is being hampered by his weight. Lacy was limited to four carries for three yards versus the Chargers, with backup James Starks receiving the bulk of the work in that contest.

* Denver's Peyton Manning has struggled mightily this season, throwing two touchdowns against seven interceptions in the last three games.

[Udog]

NFL

Monday, November 2

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Monday Night Football betting preview: Colts at Panthers
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Cam Newton and the Panthers have won a franchise-record 10 consecutive regular-season games.

Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers (-6.5, 46.5)

A pair of teams that have defied preseason predictions will square off on Monday night when the Carolina Panthers put their perfect record on the line against the visiting Indianapolis Colts. Not much was expected from the Panthers after losing No. 1 wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin for the season during training camp, but they entered Week 8 as one of five unbeaten teams in the league.

"We're not satisfied with what we've done," Carolina quarterback Cam Newton said. "Is it good? Yes, but at the same time we're still trying to conquer things that people said we couldn't do, and surprising ourselves at the same time." Conversely, the Colts were considered among the favorites to reach the Super Bowl behind quarterback Andrew Luck, but the former No. 1 overall pick has battled an injured shoulder and ineffectiveness in the team's 3-4 start. Indianapolis has the good fortune to play in the weak AFC South and its only three victories have come at the expense of its division foes. The matchup with the Panthers kicks off a three-game stretch in which the Colts will face opponents with an combined 18-1 mark entering the weekend.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Panthers as 6.5-point home faves. The total is up to 46.5 from the opening 45.

INJURY REPORT:

Colts - S Clayton Geathers (Probable, knee), S Mike Adams (Probable, hamstring), LB Nate Irving (Questionable, knee), S Winston Guy (Questionable, shoulder), C Khaled Holmes (Questionable, undisclosed), RB Josh Robinson (Questionable, undisclosed), WR Phillip Dorsett (Mid Dec, ankle), RB Tyler Varga (I-R, concussion), CB D'Joun Smith (I-R, knee), DT Arthur Jones (I-R, ankle), CB Tevin Mitchel (I-R, shoulder).

Panthers - LB Thomas Davis (Probable, undisclosed), T Mike Remmers (Questionable, elbow), FB Mike Tolbert (Questionable, personal), C Ryan Kalil (Questionable, ankle), T Daryl Williams (Questionable, knee), LB Shaq Thompson (Doubtful, knee), DT Dwan Edwards (Out, ankle), DE Mario Addison (Out, shoulder), DE Frank Alexander (Out for season, Achilles), TE Richie Brockel (I-R, hamstring), DE Charles Johnson (I-R, hamstring), T Nate Chandler (I-R, knee), DE Arthur Miley (I-R, knee), WR Kelvin Benjamin (I-R, knee).

WEATHER: A 96 percent chance of rain with temperatures in the the high-50s and wind blowing across the field at around 6 mph.

POWER RANKINGS: Colts (+0.5) + Panthers (-4.0) + home field (-3.0) = Panthers -7.5

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Andrew Luck didn't complete a single pass for the first 20 minutes against the Saints and two of his three late TD passes came when the opposing cornerback fell down. Carolina finished -2 in turnover margin and ran 23 fewer plays than Philadelphia; getting gashed on the ground on Sunday Night, yet they still came away with the win and cover."

ABOUT THE COLTS (3-4 SU, 2-5 ATS, 3-4 O/U): After having its three-game winning streak snapped in a home loss to the New England Patriots, Indianapolis turned in a clunker last week, falling behind by 27 points to visiting New Orleans before a belated rally came up short in a 27-21 setback. Luck tossed three scoring passes for the second game in a row, but he was also intercepted twice to mark the fourth time in his five starts he has thrown multiple picks. The Colts rank last in the league, allowing an average of 408.6 yards, and were gashed for 183 rushing yards by New Orleans.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (6-0 SU, 5-1 ATS, 3-2-1 O/U): Much has been made about the relative lack of strength of Carolina's schedule, but the Panthers are coming off a pair of impressive victories, rallying from nine points down in the fourth quarter at Seattle before knocking off visiting Philadelphia 27-16 last week. A patchwork corps of wide receivers has contributed to a career-low 55.8 completion percentage for Newton, who has run for four TDs to help spark the league's top-ranked ground game (144.7 yards). The Panthers are yielding 18.3 points while ranking eight in sacks and passing yards allowed.

TRENDS:

* Colts are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Road team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
* Colts are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a ATS loss.
* Under is 6-2-1 in Panthers last nine home games.

CONSENSUS: Fifty-eight percent of users are backing the Panthers.

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[Udog]

NFL

Monday, November 2


Report: Colts QB Luck playing with multiple fractured ribs

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has been playing with multiple fractured ribs, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.

The ribs were broken at the same time Luck injured his shoulder in Week 3, Glazer reported Sunday.

Luck has never been disclosed on the injury reports as having injured ribs.

"To Luck's credit he's tried to quietly fight through it but clearly the combination has affected him," Glazer wrote on Twitter.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson issued a statement later Sunday.

"Our injury reports are accurate," Grigson said. "If people have any questions about player injuries, they should refer to our injury reports."

Luck, who missed games in Weeks 4 and 5 with what was reported at the time as a shoulder injury, has struggled since his return.

Luck ranks 30th in the NFL in passer rating (76.3) as the Colts face the Carolina Panthers on Monday night.


TSX source: Steelers optimistic Bell has sprained MCL

PITTSBURGH -- Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell was knocked out of the game in the second quarter Sunday with a right knee injury.

While coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that Bell was being evaluated, a team source told The Sports Xchange that the Steelers are optimistic that he has sprained medial collateral ligament rather than a torn anterior cruciate ligament that some feared.

Bell caught a pass from Roethlisberger and his knee twisted awkwardly underneath him when tackled by Burfict. Bell did not put any weight on the leg as he was helped to a cart and taken to the locker room.

Bell also suffered a knee injury in last year's regular-season finale against the Bengals and missed the Steelers' loss in the first round of the playoffs to the Baltimore Ravens.

"It was a clean play," Burfict said. "Le'Veon is a good friend of mine. We're not trying to hurt anyone. It's just football and injuries happen.