Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Jonathan Taylor, Colts Rack Up Points?
In NFL Week 9 we have the Indianapolis Colts traveling to Carolina to take on the Panthers. Can Jonathan Taylor and the Colts rack up points? Matt MacKay breaks down the Colts vs. Panthers game.
Matt MacKay - November 3, 2023, 9:53 AM EDT
7 minIndianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Jonathan Taylor, Colts Rack Up Points?
Teams with one combined win in the last three weeks will play each other at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte North Carolina, as the Indianapolis Colts travel to face the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.
Bryce Young out-dueled C.J. Stroud in an ugly, 15-13 win to give the Panthers their first win of the season in Week 8. Carolina's defense didn't break and managed to contain the Texans' dynamic passing attack, holding Stroud to 119 total passing yards. Young hasn't put up more than 250 passing yards in any game he's started this season, however, he makes minimal mistakes and is good at quickly processing reads and making decisions.
Gardner Minshew has played well for the Colts in the absence of rookie Anthony Richardson, but this hasn't led to many wins outside of their surprise road upset over Baltimore back in Week 3. Since beating the Titans in Week 5, the Colts' offense has been unable to keep up with its porous defense, which has surrendered 37-39 points to the Jaguars, Browns, and Saints in three straight games.
Oddsmakers currently have the Colts projected to win by -2.5 ATS on the road, while the point total line sits at 43.5, which juice on the over. NFL handicapper Matt Mackay gives us his prediction and pick for this late afternoon interconference matchup between the Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers.
Colts vs. Panthers Date, Time, And Where To Watch
- Date: Sunday, November 5, 2023
- Game Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Colts vs. Panthers Odds
- Spread: Colts -2.5 (-112), Panthers +2.5 (-108)
- Total Odds: Under 43.5 (-108), Over 43.5 (-112)
- Moneyline Odds: Colts (-138), Panthers (+118)
Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers Injury Report
Colts
Questionable: T Blake Freeland (Back), WR Josh Downs (Knee), LB Zaire Franklin (Knee), T Braden Smith (Foot)
Out: QB Anthony Richardson (Shoulder), RB Evan Hull (Knee), TE Jelani Woods (Hamstring)
Panthers
Probable: TE Hayden Hurst (Illness), CB Troy Hill (Illness)
Questionable: S Xavier Woods (Abdominal), OT Taylor Moton (Knee), LB Chandler Wooten (Hamstring), LB Frankie Luvu (Hip), G Austin Corbett (Knee), LB Brian Burns (Elbow), LB Justin Houston (Hamstring), WR D.J. Chark (Elbow), S Von Bell (Quadricep), WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (Ankle)
Out: S Jeremy Chinn (Quadricep), TE Ian Thomas (Calf), LB Shaq Thompson (Leg), CB Jaycee Horn (Hamstring), LB Yetur Gross-Matos (Hamstring)
Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction
Both of these defenses have major flaws and key injuries don't lend much help toward preparing for this game in Week 9.
Carolina allows 4.7 rushing yards per attempt, marginally worse than the Colts at 3.9 yards per attempt. However, Indianapolis has surrendered a league-high 15 rushing touchdowns this season, which opens up plenty of opportunity for Chuba Hubbard and the rest of the Panthers' running backs to produce chunk plays on the ground. The Colts are also allowing 6.5 net yards per pass attempt, ranked fifth-most in the league, so Young could have a strong outing with Adam Thielen, his preferred target, carving up Indianapolis' secondary.
The Colts have Jonathan Taylor back in the fold, which has been able to balance the offensive play calling more, resulting in at least 27 points scored against two good defenses in the last two weeks. Minshew has been a liability with turnovers though, as Indianapolis has committed nine turnovers during their three-game losing skid. They were hanging in against the Browns until the final seconds, while the Jaguars and Saints didn't have too much trouble taking over in the second half.
The Panthers have scored on 30.7 percent of their offensive drives this season, ranked seventh-worst in the league. Indianapolis is marginally higher at 36.0 percent. Both defenses are bottom-ten in allowing opponent's drives to end in a score, ranking eighth and ninth-highest respectively. The Colts have lost each of their last seven games against NFC opponents, while the home team has covered the spread in four of the Panthers' last five games played. Meanwhile, the total points line has gone over in six of Indianapolis last seven road games, which is currently sitting at 43.5.
We're either rolling with over 43.5 or Carolina +2.5 for our best bet in this game. The Panthers make fewer miscues on offense, while the Colts can score in a hurry. Both defenses give up chunk plays and lots of touchdowns, so as tempting as it is to back Carolina to cover laying +2.5 ATS, they've only managed to cover once, which happened last week against Houston. Let's take over 43.5 total points with two bad defenses and offensive units that have both scored over 21 points in two of their last three games.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Carolina Panthers Pick
- Pick: Over 43.5 (-112) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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