Los Angeles Rams (-3.5, 48.5) with the Indianapolis Colts
Sean McVay needed to spend a while interested by the chance / reward ratio of not utilizing Matthew Stafford within the preseason. The longtime Lions quarterback could have donned a brand new crew’s helmet and jersey for the primary time in his profession in August however acquired no replay till week 1.
Because it turned out, McVay and the Rams had nothing to worry. Stafford appeared to have the offense firmly below management and threw 329 yards with solely 20 hits with an virtually excellent go score of 156.1 within the straightforward win of the Rams.
The duty at hand will get harder this week because the Rams tackle an Indianapolis Colts crew that many count on to win the AFC South, or not less than make it to the playoffs as a wildcard contender. With an extended journey to Indy for the primary road sport of the season, eager and public bettors are at odds on the appropriate facet of the sport on this sport.
Early look-ahead traces for this sport, the Rams had within the -3 vary. When the week 2 traces really got here out, the Rams opened -4.5 on most sports activities betting. That adjustment was a direct results of what occurred in Week 1, as Los Angeles seemed nice for probably the most half in opposition to the Chicago Bears and the Colts noticed the alternative in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Over the week we have seen a pointy vs. public divide on this sport, that means the vast majority of the bets are on the Rams, however the line has gone down as a result of extra prestigious betting motion on the Colts. We additionally noticed the overall wager on this sport, however everybody appears to agree with this line of movement.
Stafford was solely fired as soon as in opposition to the Bears who did not put a variety of strain on. Stafford accomplished passes to 6 receivers, with Cooper Kupp being his favourite goal (seven catches for 108 yards). The Bears gave up some explosive strikes in passing as a result of Stafford had a lot time to throw.
The Colts fired Russell Wilson thrice final week, however explosive video games had been the large story. Wilson threw 4 landing passes and had 254 yards with solely 18 completions. When the go rush did not arrive, the Colts struggled with cowl. Shifting the grand complete appears fairly cheap as Stafford might get the identical outcomes.
The questions for the Rams on this sport are on the defensive facet. The Bears – and David Montgomery specifically – ran the ball successfully, however Andy Dalton was predictably clumsy. The Rams may have their arms full with a steady of backs that features Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines, who additionally play key roles within the passing sport.
Carson Wentz was 25 of 38 with 251 yards on his Colts debut. Like Stafford, Wentz didn’t play in a preseason sport, but additionally missed priceless time and some days on the COVID-19 checklist as a result of an damage. These missed reps appeared to play a job. Twelve of his 25 offers and 108 of his 251 passing yards went to working backs. That makes the duty of defending the Rams somewhat simpler when the Colts cannot develop the sphere vertically.
With the journey for the Rams and a half-week of Sunday Night time Soccer, you’ll be able to perceive why sharp cash is backing the house underdog right here, however the Rams seemed like a extra polished crew final week and, extra importantly, Stafford seemed like a quarterback in a greater rhythm than Wentz.
It is a quarterback-driven league and the Rams have the higher hand.
Choice: Los Angeles Rams -3.5
