Indianapolis at Detroit Betting Preview/Week 3 NFL Preseason Picks
26 August 2021
Indianapolis comes into this game with a perfect 2-0 record in the preseason, and they look ready to begin the regular season. The Colts have played in two straight close games, and that is something else that should benefit them when the real games begin in two weeks.
Detroit has lost its first two preseason matchups this season, but they have been able to battle with a pair of strong AFC teams. The Lions are going through another rebuilding phase with the franchise, and there are still some holes on this roster.
The Indianapolis Colts are 3.5-point favorites over the Detroit Lions on Friday night. The over/under for this matchup is set at 31.5 total points.
QB Battle Giving Colts Energy
When Carson Wentz went down with an injury early in Training Camp, the Colts were looking for a new starting quarterback. Wentz might be on track to start the season opener, but the Colts still have a great battle going for the number two spot.
Both Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger have played well in the preseason, and they are both going to get some action in this game. The Colts failed to score a touchdown in the Week 2 win, but the offense was moving the ball.
The real strength of this Colts team is on the defensive side of the ball, and they should be able to put up a low number again in this matchup.
Lions Are a Mess
Detroit has a new starting quarterback in Jared Goff, but the team doesn’t really have anyone for him to throw the ball to. Establishing an identity on offense has been the goal for Detroit so far in the preseason, but that hasn’t gone exceptionally well up to this point.
The real issue for Detroit is on the defensive side of the ball, and this has been a problem in recent seasons as well. Even though the Lions are not facing an explosive offense on Friday night, getting stops is still going to be a challenge for this team.
This is a final chance for Detroit to show some signs of improvement, but it’s hard to see them making many improvements before kickoff on Friday.
Colts Keep on Rolling
Even though the Colts have been playing without several of their most important players, this team just continues to find a way to win games. The defense in Indianapolis has really been setting the tone, and the offense will continue to do just enough.
Detroit will get a bit of a boost by playing this game at home, but they are completely overmatched in this game. The Colts have some momentum, and that momentum will continue on into the third and final preseason game.
Bet the Indianapolis Colts -3.5 as they win this game by a touchdown. Take the under as well in this matchup, as there won’t be a ton of offense.
Here are all of the NFL Week 2 Preseason picks from Dunkel:
August 27
Indianapolis at Detroit
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Indianapolis 122.891; Detroit 115.912
Dunkel Line & Total: Indianapolis by 7; 25
Vegas Line & Total: Indianapolis by 3 ½: 31 ½
Dunkel Pick: Indianapolis (-3 ½); Under
Pittsburgh at Carolina
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 125.454; Carolina 119.831
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 5 ½: 32
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina by 2 ½: 36
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+2 ½); Under
Philadelphia at NY Jets
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 116.706; NY Jets 116.571
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 28
Vegas Line & Total: NY Jets by 4; 33 ½
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+4); Under
Minnesota at Kansas City
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 115.847; Kansas City 124.078
Dunkel Line & Total: Kansas City by 8; 44
Vegas Line & Total: Kansas City by 4; 37 ½
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-4); Over
August 28
Green Bay at Buffalo
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Green Bay 118.375; Buffalo 123.343
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 5; 32
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo by 8; 35
Dunkel Pick: Green Bay (+8); Under
Baltimore at Washington
Time: 6:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore 133.064; Washington 117.341
Dunkel Line & Total: Baltimore by 15 ½: 28
Vegas Line & Total: Baltimore by 4; 32 ½
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-4); Under
Chicago at Tennessee
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 117.124; Tennessee 127.955
Dunkel Line & Total: Tennessee by 11; 28
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 1 ½: 36
Pick: Tennessee (+1 ½); Under
Tampa Bay at Houston
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 120.474; Houston 113.662
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 7; 32
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 4; 36 ½
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-4); Under
Arizona at New Orleans
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona 121.663; New Orleans 116.193
Dunkel Line & Total: Arizona by 5 ½; 31
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 3 ½; 34 ½
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+3 ½); Under
LA Rams at Denver
Time: 9:05 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: LA Rams 115.662; Denver 133.190
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 17 ½; 28
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 8 ½: 33 ½
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-8 ½); Under
LA Chargers at Seattle
Time: 10:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: LA Chargers 119.407; Seattle 116.661
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Chargers by 3; 29
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 6; 35 ½
Dunkel Pick: LA Chargers (+6); Under
August 29
Jacksonville at Dallas
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville 116.711; Dallas 110.233
Dunkel Line & Total: Jacksonville by 6 ½; 45
Vegas Line & Total: Jacksonville by 3; 36 ½
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville (-3); Over
Miami at Cincinnati
Time: 4:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 117.619; Cincinnati 123.860
Dunkel Line & Total: Cincinnati by 6; 32
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 1 ½: 35 ½
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+1 ½); Under
Las Vegas at San Francisco
Time: 4:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Las Vegas 124.080; San Francisco 121.492
Dunkel Line & Total: Las Vegas by 2 ½; 31
Vegas Line & Total: San Francisco by 3 ½: 35 ½
Dunkel Pick: Las Vegas (+3 ½); Under
New England at NY Giants
Time: 6:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: New England 129.756; NY Giants 121.193
Dunkel Line & Total: New England by 8 ½; 26
Vegas Line & Total: New England by 3; 34 ½
Dunkel Pick: New England (-3); Under
Cleveland at Atlanta
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 117.583; Atlanta 115.536
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 2; 40
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 5 ½: 36
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+5 ½); Over
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