Free Week 8 Prediction: Colts vs. Commanders NFL Odds
Looking for Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders Free NFL Week 8 picks & NFL odds? NFL betting sees the Colts taking on the Commanders on Sunday, October 30th, 2022 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NFL season long including all NFL Week 8 games so stay tuned for more FREE NFL predictions like this Indianapolis – Washington Matchup.
NFL Handicapping Analysis: Week 8
Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1) vs. Washington Commanders (3-4)
Date: Sunday, October 30th, 2022
Time: 4:25 PM EST
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
NFL Week 8 ATS Betting Lines: Colts -3 (-110) | Commanders +3 (-110) (Bet Now!)
NFL Week 8 Moneyline Odds: Colts -166 | Commanders +135
NFL Week 8 NFL Betting Total: O/U 39.5
- *Click Here* Check out our Live Betting Odds for this game!
- *Click Here* Check out our Updated Sportsbook Bonuses for today!
Indianapolis makes a QB change before their week 8 tilt with a team that is also struggling with signal caller stability.
Matt Ryan most certainly didn’t expect to be benched after 7 games when he was acquired by the Colts. They’ve had a rough go this season and Ryan looks to be pretty much cooked. Seems like the Colts also made that determination. Most concerning in my humble opinion isn’t the fact they don’t have a solid QB, but that Jim Irsay has taken a more hands on approach with personnel decisions and that’s usually the worst thing that can happen.
Washington was forced to go to Taylor Heinicke after Wentz broke his ring finger in a Thursday night tilt with the Bears. They defeated the Packers with their backup and have now won 2 in a row, saving their season. I wouldn’t say Rivera is out of the doghouse just yet, but a win this week would represent clawing their way back to .500 after a 1-4 start, which is going to be attributed to coaching.
For both of these teams, this week is about so much more than one win, it’s about validating the decisions you’ve made and the direction of your franchise. But hey, it’s just a game, right?
Indianapolis Colts
Enter Sam Ehlinger. The former Texas QB has zero pass attempts in his young career but nevertheless will be thrust into starting duty. It’s a curious decision by the Colts to say the least, as you’ve already surrendered assets for Ryan and he’s led you to a 3-3-1 record even if it hasn’t been pretty. There are a score of teams in the NFL that would love to be .500 right now.
But the Colts have decided to eschew the idea of sunk cost and turn it over to a green signal caller. It may get worse for them but part of me knows that they made the determination that it couldn’t possibly be worse, ergo we have Ehlinger. Here’s to lookin’ at you, kid.
The Colts are the NFL’s worst offense by DVOA, which gives some credence to things impossibly getting worse. Even with superstar running back Jonathan Taylor they’ve been the worst rushing offense, something you’d like for a new QB to lean on.
Football Outsiders even ranks the Colts’ line to be the second worst, which again is not comforting. The Commanders generate the 5th most pressure and will likely be able to affect Ehlinger by collapsing the pocket. They’ll want the ball to come out quick, on one-read throws which will limit the explosiveness of Michael Pittman, the biggest receiving threat.
I’ve derided the Colts quite a bit and would have some family members less than happy with me over it, but here’s some positive news: the Colts defense has been quite good. Not to harp on depth chart decisions, but the fact the defense has been so good it must have prompted the thinking if Ryan was just average, we would be a better team.
They’ve been stingier versus the run which will play well against a Washington squad that ran the ball 38 times on Sunday. Even though Indy’s pass defense ranks an average 16th by DVOA, Ngakoue recorded a sack Sunday and Kenny Moore remains a stalwart. If they can get momentum among their top defensive pieces, they will take a step up.
Washington Commanders
Heinicke is affectionately referred to as a, “gamer” which in all reality is a backhanded way of saying someone isn’t that talented, but they pull the rabbit out of the hat. In spot start duty Heinicke threw a pick six early in the game and another one later that was called back on a questionable penalty.
So while the Commanders won the game, they should lower their expectations moving forward. I spent plenty of time detailing the Colts’ offensive futility but the Commanders are an honorable mention, coming in at 29th across the board by DVOA. Turnovers are incredibly hard to predict and we won’t know which Heinicke will show up until game time, so this remains a tricky side.
We know Washington wants to run the ball though which will be a tough game against Indy’s 8th-best rushing defense. Brian Robinson received the most carries Sunday but Gibson was the most effective. How they handle the rotation remains to be seen but by all accounts, they want Robinson to be the guy.
Washington’s offensive line has struggled in protection this year, allowing the fourth-highest adjusted sack rate. The famous saying, “pressure bursts pipes” comes to mind and pressure may even decide the outcome of this game.
What you can say about the Commies’ defense is that they profile well against the run, which isn’t a big surprise considering the investments they’ve made in recent years in their front. Teams have found it much easier to pass on Washington, but they’ll get a soft matchup against Ehlinger. They’ve only allowed 16.3 ppg over their last three games and will hope to stay hot.
NFL Betting Trends:
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Indianapolis
- The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Indianapolis’s last 12 games
- Indianapolis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
4* Free Week 8 NFL Betting Prediction: Colts -3
This is a very low total and one that can be affected by the randomness of turnovers and defensive scores. Having said that, I’m not overly excited about playing a total.
Washington has now won two games in a row, where in my estimation, they really should have lost. The Bears had three separate occasions where they could have sealed the game, and Heinicke’s second pick six should have sunk them in Week 7.
The Colts turn to an inexperienced quarterback, hoping he can play better than the veteran Ryan. While I’m not excited to back Ehlinger here, backups usually have a weird 1 to 2 week bump, where the film doesn’t exist and they do just enough to win. Taylor returned last week after a few week absence and only garnered 10 carries, likely on a snap count. He should get turned loose this week.
I like the Colts defense to carry this game, shut down a really poor QB and have theirs do just enough. Give me the Colts laying 3 at home.
If you’re looking for more NFL picks like this Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders Matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NFL predictions on the blog all season long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NFL Football Picks!
Register here for a FREE NFL Football Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!
