Dallas Cowboys Vs. Indianapolis Colts: Will Peyton Manning Struggle Again?

The Indianapolis Colts play host to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in a must-win game.

The latest NFL Odds posted by BetEd.com have the Colts listed as 5.5 point favorites against the Cowboys in this marquee match-up.

With all the injuries that the Colts have had to endure on the season, it's no surprise that they are struggling to win football games.

What is surprising is just how bad quarterback Peyton Manning is playing of late.  

The Colts' leader and sure hall of famer is having trouble driving this offense, and the bad play has resulted in the Colts losing three out of the last four games. If they are not able to turn it around this week against the Cowboys, the Colts could see an end to their eight-year streak of playoff appearances.

Manning is off his worst game of his career against the San Diego Chargers. San Diego intercepted him four times, returning two for touchdowns, and the Colts suffered their worst home loss since Manning took over as quarterback.

The week prior against the New England Patriots, Manning tossed an interception that cost the Colts tying up the game and sending it into overtime. In the last two games, Manning has thrown an uncharacteristic seven interceptions.

This will not last for Manning.  

He is too good of a quarterback to keep posting these kinds of numbers.

However with the constant personnel changes, and the breakdown of protection, it is very possible that he will struggle again this week.

The Dallas Cowboys lost a game that they should have won last week if not for a Roy Williams turnover. Williams fumbled late in the game against the Saints in what would have been the game clinching play. Despite the loss, the Cowboys have played much better under the guidance of new head coach Jason Garrett.

This will be the Cowboys' third straight game against a pass-happy opponent. Manning has thrown a league-high 486 passes, followed by Detroit at 484 and New Orleans at 456. This will allow the Cowboys to prepare for this game with a consistency from prior weeks.

The Cowboys are 16-5 against the spread (ATS) in their last 21 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game and clamp down in the next outing.

The Colts are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a double-digit loss at home and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a loss.

The Colts are going through some major adjustments right now and its affecting Manning.

Until those are addressed the Colts will continue to have problems.

Cowboys +5.5

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail].

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