Week 15 NFL Picks & Predictions: Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008

Week 15 NFL Picks: Detroit Lions @ Indianapolis Colts o44.5 - Sunday, Dec. 14, ‘08 1:00 PM

Indianapolis enters into this game on a six-game winning streak, behind the star and catalyst of the team QB Peyton Manning. The superstar has thrown 12 TDs during that run, against only three interceptions, consistently stretching the field by hitting the big four of WR Reggie Wayne, WR Marvin Harrison, TE Dallas Clark, and WR Anthony Gonzalez.

When Manning is on his game, the Colts always seem as a whole to follow his lead and play above a lot of the pundits' expectations on both sides of the ball, and I am betting nothing changes today.

This contest against the desperate and winless Detroit Lions is not a game that that Manning and Colts will over look as they need a victory to stay in the hunt for wild-card spot, and will keep scoring even if they are up late in the game, as they leaving nothing to chance.

Detroit played well last week, against the visiting Minnesota Vikings almost snapping their ugly winless streak. As usual, the toothless Lions found a new way to lose, and are now an extremely disheartened side, that despite of having some fight left in them, could easily be mentally broken in this spot.

If the Colts get up early, look for the flood gates to open up for score after unanswered score.

Look for and expect the Colts to finally get their running game going against one of worst stop units in the league, and to use play action as the game progresses to blow up a very inconsistent secondary.

On other side of the ball I expect the Colts to stack the box and stop the Lions ground game, which will put the pressure on veteran pivot Daunte Culpepper to convert a lot of long yardage situations.

The old guy is capable of doing this and putting some points in the board in a back door situation. This scenario will see both teams combine to put a boatload full of points on the board.

Before this contest ends, I expect a lot of the Lions players to get caught daydreaming of offseason golf and beach vacations, and for us to cash a Totals ticket

Final notes & Key Trends

The Lions have gone OVER in seven straight non-conference games, with a combined average of 53.7 PPG going on the score board.

Projected score

Indianapolis Colts 37 Detroit Lions 20

PLAY OVER - Courtesy of Alex Smart

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