Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Giants Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

Head coach Tom Coughlin must know how to make good use of the NFL bye weeks, because his New York Giants have won their last seven post-bye games in a row.

The 3-4 Giants will try to run that streak to eight straight when they host Andrew Luck and the 5-3 Colts Monday night at MetLife Stadium.

Point spread: Colts opened as three-point favorites; the total was 51 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 29.5-23.1 Colts

Why the Colts can cover the spread

The Colts just had a five-game winning streak (5-0 against the spread) snapped in a 51-34 loss at Pittsburgh. Indy trailed throughout that game, by as much as 25 points, but got within one score with two minutes to go in the third quarter before running out of gas.

Just before that, the Colts had shut out AFC North-leading Cincinnati 27-0. And with three covers earlier this season, Indy is now 3-1 ATS on the road.

The Colts lead the league in total offense at 452 yards per game while outrushing opponents by 16 yards per game. The Giants, meanwhile, rank No. 27 in overall defense (384 YPG), per the defensive rankings tables at Odds Shark.

Why the Giants can cover the spread

The Giants had won three games in a row but then hit the NFC East road and lost two straight, including a 31-21 decision at Dallas two weeks ago. That game was tied at 14-14 at the half, and New York only trailed by a touchdown with five minutes to go but couldn't quite pull off the cover as a five-point underdog.

Quarterback Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes without an interception, and after allowing eight sacks against the Eagles, the New York offensive line didn't allow one against Dallas. So since a stinky start to this season, the Giants are 3-2 both straight up and ATS.

Smart pick

Both teams are banged up, but New York a little more so, playing without both its leading rusher (Rashad Jennings) and leading receiver (Victor Cruz). And Luck just seems to have a little more on the ball at the moment than Manning.

So the smart money here resides with the visiting Colts.

Betting trends

• The Colts are 8-3 ATS past 11 Monday Nighters.
• The total has gone under in four of New York's last five games at home.

All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark. Follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.

·         Colts 8-3 ATS past 11 Monday Nighters