Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

In what looks to be a very one-sided affair, the 4-2 New Orleans Saints will host the 0-6 Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night. Coming off a tough loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Saints will certainly be out for redemption on the prime-time stage.

Prior to last week, the Saints were on a roll as they had rattled off four straight wins and the passing game was humming behind quarterback Drew Brees. When Brees struggles, the Saints struggle, and that was apparent when he threw three interceptions last week.

The Colts have been close to wins on multiple occasions over the past month since Curtis Painter took over at quarterback. They simply don't have the same intimidation factor without Peyton Manning, though, and the defense hasn't helped matters much.

This has all the makings of a blowout in New Orleans' favor, but you never know what could happen in the NFL.

Where: Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA.

When: Sunday, Oct. 23 at 8:20 p.m. EDT

Watch: NBC

Spread: New Orleans Saints (-14)

Although 14 points is a lot, I wouldn't hesitate to take the Saints in this game. The Colts don't have a good enough offense at this point to light up the scoreboard regardless of how New Orleans' defense plays.

The Saints will definitely want to win convincingly after last week's loss, so I can see them pushing hard to put up some points. Brees will want to get back on track as well, meaning it should be a good night for the New Orleans' offense and a good night for you if you bet the Saints.

Over/Under: 48

I think that this game will be pretty close to the over/under of 48, but I would tend to lean toward the over, especially with a high-scoring team like New Orleans looking to put up a crooked number. I expect the Saints to easily score over 30 points, so as long as the Colts get into the end zone twice, it should go over.

Colts Key Injuries

Out: RB Joseph Addai (hamstring), OL Ben Ijalana (knee - IR), OL Anthony Castonzo (ankle), DL Eric Foster (ankle - IR), LB Gary Brackett (shoulder - IR), DB Melvin Bullitt (shoulder - IR), QB Peyton Manning (neck)

Questionable: QB Kerry Collins (concussion)

Saints Key Injuries

Out: OL Alex Barron (knee - IR), K Garrett Hartley (hip - IR), OL Olin Kreutz (left team), RB Chris Ivory (foot - PUP)

Questionable: OL Zach Strief (knee)

Probable: TE Jimmy Graham (ankle), WR Devery Henderson (calf)

Fantasy Big Plays

QB Drew Brees (NO) - While Indy's run defense is weaker than its pass defense, the Saints don't run the ball particularly well, so I expect Brees to throw the ball all night. He'll want to atone for a tough Week 6 outing, so I expect well over 300 yards and three or four touchdowns.

WR Marques Colston (NO) - In his third game back since suffering a broken collarbone in Week 1, Saints receiver Marques Colston was fully reintegrated into the offense in Week 7 with 118 yards and a touchdown. Since Brees is sure to have a big game, his No. 1 target should benefit as well.

TE Jimmy Graham (NO) - Are you seeing a trend here? Pretty much any Saint that catches the ball is a viable fantasy play this week. Tight end Jimmy Graham has developed into a big-time target for Brees with at least seven catches in three straight games and at least 100 yards in four consecutive contests.

Keys to Colts Win

I have a hard time believing that the Colts can win this game, but if they're going to, then I think they need to find a way to run the ball on offense with rookie Delone Carter. If Brees and the New Orleans offense have the ball, then they're going to score more often than not.

If the Colts can play keep-away and win the time of possession battle, though, then they stand a chance. The only problem is that Indianapolis has not run the ball effectively at all, however, so this scenario seems pretty unlikely.

Keys to Saints Win

Provided the Saints' passing game plays to its potential, there's no reason why they shouldn't win this game. Brees has to be miffed about throwing three interceptions last week, so he will be determined to turn things around against the Colts.

While I don't think it will be necessary, the Saints should probably try to establish the run a bit with Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram as well. If nothing else, it would be nice to get them going for future games that might be a bit tighter.

Prediction 

Saints 38, Colts 17