Last Updated on September 27, 2009 4:00 pm by Anthony Rome
IND-AZ Free Pick
The Sunday Night Football matchup will pit the undefeated Indianapolis Colts against the Arizona Cardinals, who have gotten off to a 1-1 start this season.
The Colts squeaked past the Dolphins last week 27-23 to cover the 3.5-point spread on Monday Night Football. Peyton Manning connected with Pierre Garcon on a 48-yard touchdown pass with 3:29 remaining in the game and Indy’s defense held on after Miami drove past midfield with less than a minute remaining.
The Cardinals bounced back from their Week 1 loss to the 49ers with a 31-17 win over the Jaguars. Kurt Warner set a record for pass completion percentage after completing 24 of 26 passes for 243 yards and a two touchdowns as ‘Zona covered the 3-point spread as underdogs. Tim Hightower also added 72 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries for the Cards.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Cardinals 2.5-point favorites over the Colts for Sunday night’s game. The over/under total has been set at 48.5.
The Colts’ no-huddle offense was too much for the Dolphins to handle last Monday night and while Indy only ran 35 offensive plays, they still found a way to win. Even though Indy’s defense was gassed from being on the field too long, if the Colts keep it close, Manning is going to find a way for them to win.
Don’t expect Warner to complete 24 of 26 passes again. The Colts are too fast defensively to try and dink and dunk down the field and it’s going to hurt Arizona this week if Warner can’t throw the ball vertically.
We think this will be another tight game and we love taking the points with Manning and the Colts. Indy should win this game outright and we also favor the over since the total has gone over in 12 of Arizona’s last 14 games at home.
Our NFL Week 3 Free Pick for this matchup is: COLTS +2.5 and OVER 48.5.
Colts at Cardinals Current Odds
429 Indianapolis Colts +2.5 Over 48.5 Moneyline: +120
430 Arizona Cardinals –2.5 Under 48.5 Moneyline: -140
Indianapolis is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Indianapolis’s last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games when playing Indianapolis
Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Indianapolis Colts
Gary Brackett, LB, Missed Thursday Practice (knee)
Dwight Freeney, DE, Missed Thursday Practice (back)
Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Missed Thursday Practice (knee)
Kelvin Hayden, CB, Missed Thursday Practice (hamstring)
Bob Sanders, S, Missed Thursday Practice (knee)
Clint Session, LB, Full Thursday Practice (ankle)
Arizona Cardinals
Ben Patrick, TE, Out Until Week 6 (suspension)
Ali Highsmith, LB, Missed Thursday Practice (hamstring)
Kenny Iwebema, DE, Missed Thursday Practice (ankle)
Steve Breaston, WR, Limited Thursday Practice (knee)
Levi Brown, T, Limited Thursday Practice (ankle)
Chike Okeafor, LB, Limited Thursday Practice (shoulder)
Matt Ware, S, Limited Thursday Practice (shoulder)
Anquan Boldin, WR, Full Thursday Practice (hamstring)
Will Davis, LB, Full Thursday Practice (knee)
Early Doucet, WR, Full Thursday Practice (ribs)
Bryant McFadden, CB, Full Thursday Practice (groin)
Sean Morey, WR, Full Thursday Practice (ribs)
Antrel Rolle, S, Full Thursday Practice (quadricep)
Brian St.Pierre, QB, Full Thursday Practice (back)
Kurt Warner, QB, Full Thursday Practice (right shoulder)
Reggie Wells, G, Full Thursday Practice (thumb)
Posted: 9/27/09 4:00PM ET