The Indianapolis Colts will battle the Buffalo Bills in this AFC Wild Card showdown. The Colts just snuck into one of the final playoff spots and they went 4-1 to end the season. The Bills have won six games in a row and all of those victories were by double digits. Who will win this AFC Wild Card game?
When is Indianapolis vs Buffalo?
Date: Saturday, Jan. 9th
Location: Bills Stadium – Orchard Park, New York
Time: 1:05 PM EST
Coverage: CBS
Colts vs Bills Odds & Spreads
Moneyline: IND: (+255) I BUF: (-280)
Spread: IND: +7 (-115) I BUF: -6.5 (-109)
Total: Over: 51.5 (-110) I Under: 52 (-108)
Betting Preview
Indianapolis finished in second place in the AFC South Division, 11-5 overall, and they snagged a wild card spot in Week 17. The Colts finished 11th in the NFL Power Rankings. Lately, the rushing game has been getting better, but the defense has been a question mark. In the AFC, they are fifth in points scored and sixth in points allowed. Indianapolis has an above average offense and they score around 28 points per game.
The defense is good at stopping the run, but below average at passing defense. They allow around 23 points per game. This team is solid on both sides of the ball, but in their current hot streak, they didn’t have to play too many tough teams. The defense gave up a fair amount of points and they blew a 24-7 lead against the elite Pittsburgh Steelers. Yes this offense can score, but can the defense get key stops when they need to?
Buffalo finished in first place in the AFC East Division, 13-3 overall, and second overall in the AFC standings. The Bills finished second in the NFL Power Rankings. For the past three weeks, Josh Allen has been piling up the touchdowns and easy wins.
However, this team will need to learn how to stop the run a little better. In the AFC, the Bills finished first in points scored and seventh in points allowed. They have a top three offense and score around 31 points per game. The defense is average and they allow around 23 points per game. Buffalo has held their own against every type of team and they seem to be peaking at the right time.
Colts vs Bills Picks & Predictions
Two of the hottest teams in the conference will be trying to get to the AFC Divisional Round. The Colts have the old veteran quarterback Philip Rivers and the Bills are led by the young and talented Josh Allen. Both of these quarterbacks have put up over 4000 rushing yards and they are pretty even in completion percentage.
In the end, the Bills know how to finish drives and they are one of the best teams in the red zone, while the Colts hover in the middle of the pack. Indianapolis is the better rushing team and Buffalo has trouble stopping the run. If things aren’t clicking for Rivers, then they will throw in some more rushing plays for Jonathan Taylor. Buffalo has a little more depth at the receiving game.
Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley have put up more yardage than the Colts top guy in T.Y. Hilton. The key things to watch in this matchup is how each defense responds after their team scores and which team will control the game more. For weeks now, the Bills have shown that control with the offense and look like a championship contender.
The Bills win 35-24 and cover the spread.
