Jared Goff and the buzz saw that is the Detroit Lions head to Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday. They’ll meet up with Anthony Richardson and his Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The game will kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Let’s dive in and take a look at this Lions-Colts preview and predictions.
The 9-1 Detroit Lions come into Week 12 as winners of their last eight games in a row. They’ve dropped 52 points in two of their last four games, and are coming off a 52-6 drubbing of the Mac Jones-led Jacksonville Jaguars. The Lions will be without linebacker Alex Anzalone. Tight end Sam LaPorta is trending toward playing.
It’s been a season of ups and downs for the Indianapolis Colts, who went back to second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson last week in their first win in four games against the New York Jets. Richardson will once again start for the team this week. He’ll likely be without the team’s left tackle Bernhard Raimann and his right tackle Braden Smith is now questionable.
Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts Preview and Predictions Video
Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts Preview and Predictions
Anthony Richardson Over 40.5 Yards Rushing (-109)
Richardson scrambled for 32 yards in his return to the starting role last week against the Jets in a close game. In his previous two starts, he surpassed this number. This week he’ll face a tough Lions team who I expect to easily handle the Colts.
This will put Richardson in the position to grab some easy runs as the Lions play prevent defense. They’ll also be missing their key linebacker Alex Anzalone leaving a gap in the second layer of their defense. Mobile quarterbacks have had some success against Detroit with Kyler Murray going over the number, and Sam Darnold, Geno Smith, and Baker Mayfield getting close.
Detroit Lions -6.5 (-115)
This is a simple handicap for me. You get arguably the best team in the NFL right now, against a Colts team that’s been scrappy, but can’t quite seem to find their way. All for less than a full touchdown. Both teams are great against the spread with Indianapolis checking in 4th in the league at 8-3. Detroit is the best team though at 8-2 ATS.
No matter the spread they cover it. They beat good teams, and beat down bad teams. They don’t let anyone catch them off guard. Indianapolis is coming in off a hard fought win and readjusting to their new quarterback and I think it’ll be just a little too much for them to handle the high flying Detroit Lions.
