NFL Betting Picks, Odds & Offers

Our NFL betting editor brings you his best Colts vs. Giants predictions and picks for their NFL Week 17 game, which is live Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.

The New York Giants would clinch a playoff berth on Sunday by beating the Indianapolis Colts, who are five straight losers and remain with Nick Foles under center.

Colts pick vs. Giants

Colts vs Giants predictions and analysis

The Giants (8-6-1) have won just one of their last six games, so their home final comes at an opportune time. New York fell short in the 27-24 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week, but it showed nuances from the team that started 7-2. There are now a variety of scenarios by which the Giants cement a playoff spot this week, but all they have to do is handle business at MetLife Stadium against a collapsing opponent.

Interim coach Jeff Saturday and the Colts (4-10-1) are sticking with Foles as a starter this week, a phrase that would have puzzled many fans if you had told them this after the 3-2-1 season kicked off. from Indy. After Monday’s 20-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Colts will be on short rest as they look to avoid a sixth straight loss.

Giants to cover -5.5 points

The Colts have nothing to play for but pride. The Giants, on the other hand, have a crucial achievement just beyond their reach.

The Giants haven’t made the playoffs since 2016, and Daniel Jones and company are keen to carve out a spot by winning on home soil. Still, coach Brian Daboll insists on not letting his players look past the task at hand, so it’s hard to see the potential for a trap game here.

Indianapolis has been outscored 59-6 since taking a 33-0 halftime lead over the Vikings two weeks ago. The previous week, the Colts had given up 54 points to Dallas. What once looked like a promising young defense on paper is averaging the eighth-highest points per game in the league this season at 23.8. Or, to use a word Jim Irsay prefers, they’re in the bottom quartile.

The Giants’ recent rocky run is the only reason they aren’t more favored in this one. Rested, healthy, playing at home and with a ton on the line, they’ll be a better touchdown than Indy next Sunday.

Colts pick vs. Giants: Giants will cover -5.5 points to -110 with Caesars Sportsbook

Fewer than 38 total points scored

Ten of the Colts’ 15 games this season have been below the Vegas total. The Giants had eight unders and two pushes.

The Giants have found a winning identity that involves leading Saquon Barkley and not making too many mistakes on defense. That’s how they positioned themselves for a playoff berth despite averaging a mediocre 20.7 points and 333.2 yards per game.

Jones’ leading receiver in each of the last three games has been Richie James, with Isaiah Hodgins also contributing. In other words, it’s not a passing game that teams need to worry about, they’ll come down rushing with explosive plays.

Then there’s the Colts’ current incompetence on offense. If you haven’t watched their historic 39-36 loss to Minnesota, you might see the score line and think the offense managed to make some noise in the first half if nothing else. Importantly, two of those touchdowns came on a blocked punt and a 6 pick, plays that are hard to replicate. The Colts offense had one touchdown in the last nine quarters plus overtime.

Colts pick vs. Giants: Under 38 total points scored @ -110 with Caesars Sportsbook

Exactly two touchdowns scored in the first half

This prop looks at the combined number of touchdowns scored by both teams before halftime – and we’re dealing with exact numbers except for the ‘4 or more’ option.

The Giants aren’t a fast-starting team when they have the ball, but since Week 4 they’ve scored at least one touchdown in the first half of every game. They only had two touchdowns in the first half, against Chicago and Washington.

Again, the Colts have very little chance of repeating what they achieved in the first half against the Vikings. There is, however, some leeway for them to find the end zone once against the New York defense, which lately has bent more than usual.

Or, if the Colts really fold and forget to fight, we could be 14-0 or 17-0 at halftime.

Colts pick vs. Giants: Exactly two touchdowns to score in the first half @ +185 with Caesars Sportsbook

Colts vs. Giants Odds

Odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook. Correct at time of publication and subject to change.