Colts Favored To Handle Visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Injuries on Defense Could Hamper Tampa Bay's Bid to Win Against the Indianapolis Colts
Playoffs Are Still in Play for Both Indianapolis and Tampa Bay Going Into Matchup
Two NFL teams in need of a win will be squaring off in Indianapolis with the Buccaneers vs Colts betting trends favoring the host Colts.
The game could be dubbed the Tony Dungy Bowl as the Hall of Fame coach spent plenty of time with both franchises. Dungy is the third-winningest coach for Tampa Bay with 96 victories while he won a franchise-record 85 games with the Colts.
Tampa Bay has won three of the last four meetings and that includes a seven-point road win in 2021. The NFL betting lines list Indianapolis as a 2.5-point favorite. Tampa Bay has been favored in eight of the last 10 games against the Colts.
When it comes to the NFL’s latest injuries, linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White, cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean, offensive linemen Matt Feiler and Robert Hainsey and receiver Chris Godwin are questionable. Davis, Godwin and Hainsey did manage to practice on a limited basis on Thursday.
For Indianapolis, receiver Josh Downs, defensive backs JuJu Brents and Rodney Thomas, defensive ends Tyquan Lewis and Kwity Paye, offensive lineman Ryan Kelly, tight end Drew Ogletree and linebacker Grant Stuard are questionable.
Indianapolis came into the season priced at +600 in the odds of winning the AFC South title with those odds moving to +1600. Tampa Bay opened the season fourth in the NFC South odds. Those division odds have gone from +750 to +400.
Buccaneers vs Colts 
Date/Time: Sunday, Nov. 26, 1 p.m. ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IND
Line: Indianapolis -2.5 | Total: 44.5
TV & Live Stream: CBS
Defensive Stars Ailing For Tampa Bay
When the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl following the 2020 season, it was the defense that led the way even with future Hall of Famer Tom Brady at quarterback.
Many of those NFL players are dealing with injuries right now. It is not looking good for linebacker Lavonte David to play and Tampa Bay activating a cornerback off the practice squad is not a good sign when it comes to the availability of starting cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean.
Linebacker Devin White, a star in the Super Bowl win, is also questionable so it remains to be seen how the banged-up defense will hold up. Keep that in mind when looking at the Buccaneers vs Colts betting trends.
The total has gone under in seven of Tampa Bay’s last eight games.
Colts Look To Hit the Ground Running
The Colts have quietly put up the ninth-most points in the NFL this season despite the loss of rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and the absence of top running back Jonathan Taylor for the first four games.
Journeyman quarterback Gardner Minshew has thrown for 213, 127 and 194 yards in the last three games but the Colts have won two of those contests. He hasn’t thrown for more than two touchdowns this season.
The Colts will rely on its running game and defense to try to win games as Indianapolis is just a game out of the final playoff spot in the AFC. The running game could factor into the Buccaneers vs Colts betting trends.
Indianapolis has covered against the NFL odds in six of its last nine games.
Last Meeting
Tampa Bay outscored Indianapolis 24-7 in the second half in a 38-31 win on Nov. 28, 2021.
Taylor had the only touchdown for the Colts in the second half.
The game headed over the 53-point total on a Tampa Bay field goal with 10:06 left in the fourth quarter. It was the sixth time in the last seven games between the Buccaneers and Colts to finish over the total.
Five of the last seven meetings between the teams were decided by seven points or less.
Buccaneers vs Colts Betting Preview
The Colts have had issues moving the ball through the air this season with the Buccaneers among the worst running teams in the NFL. It will be interesting to see which side wins out.
Indianapolis has struggled at home with a 1-4 record while the Buccaneers are 2-3 both at home and on the road. The Colts covered in just two of the first five home games with the Buccaneers 5-0 against the NFL point spreads on the road in 2023.
The last two meetings between Tampa Bay and Indianapolis had 73 and 69 points and it seems likely that this game will approach that total. The total of 44.5 is the lowest in this series since 2011. There have been some early money coming in on the game going under that total.
Six games played by the Colts have gone over the total this season but Tampa Bay is tied for last with just two games landing over the total in 2023. Four of Tampa Bay’s first five road games have finished under the total.
Indianapolis has found a way to win its last two games and the Colts could make it three in a row on Sunday.
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