The Atlanta Falcons visit the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday afternoon in a Preseason Week 2 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium. The two teams held joint practices earlier in the week, which shapes how each staff will handle the game itself. Indianapolis opened as a short home favorite, and that spread has since climbed to a field goal plus the hook. In August, roster usage tells you more than last year’s record. Both clubs finished 2025 at 8-9 and missed the playoffs, so this is an evaluation game. Below we break down the spread, the total, and one live-dog angle worth a small look.
Last Updated: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis IN |
| When | Saturday, August 22 – 1:00 PM ET |
| TV | FOX 5 (Atlanta) / CBS4 (Indianapolis) |
Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts Betting Preview
Both sidelines arrive with fresh questions. Indianapolis stumbled to 8-9 last season after an 8-2 start unraveled into a late slide. Head coach Shane Steichen is still sorting a crowded quarterback room that includes Anthony Richardson Sr., Riley Leonard, and Daniel Jones. Atlanta also closed at 8-9 and missed the postseason for an eighth straight year, which cost Raheem Morris his job.
New head coach Kevin Stefanski has framed the Falcons’ quarterback job as a competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Tagovailoa sits atop the current depth chart, while Penix carries an injury designation. Skill talent like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts gives the new staff a foundation to build around.
The participation plans matter far more than form here. Stefanski confirmed his starters will sit after taking the bulk of the joint-practice reps against Indianapolis. On the other side, Steichen said Leonard will start and play the entire first half, with Richardson handling the second half. Jones will not dress, as the staff prefers to protect him. Most Colts front-line players are also expected to rest before the finale in Detroit.
Recent reps offer thin clues. Indianapolis opened the preseason in a 13-13 tie with New England. Atlanta dropped its opener to Denver 27-7, though the starters saw only brief action. In short, both offenses will lean on backups for nearly the whole afternoon. For another read on how these summer roster plans shape a number, see our Panthers vs. Jaguars prediction.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | +3.5 (-115) | +160 | U 36 (-110) |
| Colts | -3.5 (-105) | -185 | O 36 (-110) |
Odds accurate as of August 22, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NFL Odds – Futures – Props
Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Falcons | 38% | 62% | Colts |
See the latest NFL Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Falcons vs. Colts Prediction — Is the Short Home Number Worth Laying?
The market has moved toward Indianapolis. This line opened at Colts -1.5 and now sits at -3.5, while the moneyline shifted from -135 to -185. Public spread tickets also favor the home side at 62 percent. Some of that is easy to explain. Leonard gets a full half of continuity, and a home crowd tends to lift a young quarterback settling into a rhythm.
Still, three and a half points is a wide number for a backup-heavy exhibition. Both teams project to hand most of the day to second- and third-string units. Atlanta’s reserve room carries veteran experience behind the front line, which can steady the group once the deep rotation takes over. In a game with a low total, one late score can flip a cover, and buying the number up to a field goal plus the hook thins out the favorite’s edge.
The case for laying it is real. Indianapolis has the clearer first-half quarterback plan, and Leonard could build an early lead before the benches empty. However, preseason margins are noisy, and getting more than a field goal through the key number of three carries value. We would rather hold the points here.
The Pick: Falcons +3.5 (-115)
Falcons vs. Colts Prediction — Will Two Benched Offenses Reach the Number?
The total has drifted from 37.5 down to 36, another sign of money on the low side. That direction fits the setup. With both teams resting starters, the scoring should come from reserve units running vanilla plans. Indianapolis already showed that profile in its 13-13 opener, a game that produced just 26 combined points.
The other side is worth respecting. Backup defenses miss tackles, and sloppy exhibition football can produce a special-teams or defensive score that pushes a total over quickly. Even so, the fundamentals point down. Two conservative staffs, deep-reserve quarterbacks, and a short evaluation window usually add up to a grind. We will side with the Under at a number that already reflects the spot.
The Pick: Under 36 (-110)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
One dog angle stands out for a small look. If you like the Falcons to stay within a field goal, the outright price at +160 is a reasonable add in a game this close to a coin flip. The downside is clear. Indianapolis holds the home edge and the steadier first-half quarterback plan, so the moneyline is a lighter-conviction play than the spread. Treat it as a small-unit sprinkle rather than a core position.
Bonus Pick: Falcons ML +160 (small unit)
To recap the card: we lean Falcons +3.5 (-115) on the side, Under 36 (-110) on the total, and a small-unit Falcons moneyline at +160 as the bonus. All three tie back to the same read. This is a low-scoring, backup-driven afternoon where the points and the low number carry the value.
NFL Falcons vs. Colts FAQ: Saturday August 22, 2026
What time does the Falcons vs. Colts game start?
Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This is the second preseason game of the summer for both clubs, and it follows two joint practices the teams held earlier in the week.
What channel is the Falcons vs. Colts game on?
The game airs on local television, with FOX 5 carrying it in the Atlanta market and CBS4 in the Indianapolis market. Out-of-market viewers can stream the preseason game on NFL+. Local streaming is also available through the FOX LOCAL app in Atlanta and Colts.com in Indianapolis.
Where are the Falcons and Colts playing?
The teams meet at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Colts’ home venue. Atlanta is the designated road team for this Preseason Week 2 matchup. The two sides also shared joint practices at the Indianapolis facility before the game.
Who is starting at quarterback for the Falcons and Colts?
Riley Leonard starts for Indianapolis and is set to play the entire first half, with Anthony Richardson Sr. taking the second half and Daniel Jones held out. Atlanta plans to rest its starters, including Tua Tagovailoa, so the Falcons’ reserve quarterbacks will handle the game.