NFL Betting: Indianapolis Colts Injuries Impact on Performance and Vegas Line

Just as the Indianapolis Colts appear to have gotten in stride this season comes the news that All-Pro running back Joseph Addai will miss 2-4 weeks with a slightly torn hamstring – at least according to the NFL Network.

Addai is probably the Colts’ second-most important player on offense other than Peyton Manning, and his absence will hurt – although not as much as one might think. Addai was injured in the first quarter of last week’s impressive 31-3 win against Baltimore. He had struggled big time this season, only rushing for 216 yards on 62 carries (3.5 yards per carry) and four TDs as Indy ranks last in the NFL in rushing. Even more surprising is he has only five receptions after catching 81 total balls the previous two seasons.

Dominic Rhodes would become the workhorse because the No. 3 back, rookie Mike Hart, suffered a season-ending injury against the Ravens and was put on injured reserve. Rhodes will be backed up by relative unknown Clifton Dawson, who rushed 30 times for 64 yards and a touchdown last season in 13 games. Dawson, a second-year pro out of Harvard, was cut during training camp but re-signed this week.

Rhodes took every carry vs. Baltimore after Addai and Hart left the game and finished with 25 carries for 73 yards and a TD. Rhodes’ 38-yard run in the second quarter was the Colts’ longest run from scrimmage since Addai’s 41-yarder in 2006.

“I think we’ll be OK in the short run,” Coach Tony Dungy said. “We just have to get Joseph back and healthy.”

And as a bettor, you probably don’t want to go bailing on Indy, especially this week despite the fact the Colts travel to Green Bay and are currently 1.5-point favorites at most sportsbooks. The Packers only rank 27th in the NFL against the run by allowing 153.3 rushing yards, and their secondary has been injury-decimated.

In addition, Manning looks in sync again. After throwing three touchdown passes and four interceptions and going 1-2 in the first three games, Manning, in victories over Baltimore and Houston, has five touchdown passes and only one interception. He was 19-of-28 passing for 271 yards and 3 TDs against the Ravens, who entered last Sunday with the NFL’s top-ranked pass defense.

Sunday’s game will be Indy’s first at Green Bay since 2000.

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