Luck Will Sustain Colts’ Momentum Against Miami

The Indianapolis Colts are rolling towards a potential playoff spot in the AFC Conference and have a chance to bolster their charge by defeating the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts surge has been based around the outstanding form of quarterback Andrew Luck, who has dispelled any notion that he would struggle on his return from a shoulder injury.

Luck has thrown for three touchdowns or more in his last seven games, while the running game has also come to life to lift Indianapolis to a 5-5 record.

Frank Reich’s men will have confidence to end the season on a high and to aim to return to the post-season for the first time since the 2014 campaign, beginning by beating Miami.

The Dolphins won their opening three games of the season, but have since lost five out of their last seven. An injury to quarterback Ryan Tannehill has dented their progress, with his replacement Brock Osweiler struggling to keep his side on pace for a run at the playoffs.

Adam Gase’s men are three games behind the New England Patriots at the top of the AFC East. They’re unlikely to win their division, putting huge pressure on them to defeat the Colts on the road in the battle for a place in the Wildcard Round.

Indianapolis Colts

Since losing to the New York Jets on the road, the Colts have reeled off four wins on the bounce. The form of Luck has been pivotal to their success, with the quarterback being on pace to throw over 40 touchdowns. Luck has thrown three touchdowns or more in his last seven matches, including a three-score performance against the Tennessee Titans last week.

Indianapolis have moved into position to contend for the Wildcard Round, but they’re two games back in the AFC South on the Houston Texans, who also boast the tie-breaker between the teams. As a result, the Colts’ win over Tennessee was vital last week to edge them in front of their rivals in the pecking order.

Their offense took the Titans’ defense – that had held Tom Brady and the Patriots at bay the previous week – apart with ease. Luck and company put 38 points on the board using the speed of TY Hilton along with the running ability of Marlon Mack. Hilton and Luck’s connection has been a dominant one since the two players have active alongside each other in the Colts’ offense.

However, the break out year of Mack is a huge factor for the team and could be very important down the stretch. Mack is a good running back, but he has been aided by the power of Indianapolis’ offensive line. The investment in Ryan Kelly and Quenton Nelson early in the draft is beginning to bear fruit, giving protection to Luck and opening up space in the ground for the backs. It will continue to be vital down the stretch.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins’ season has been one of disappointment after initially starting the campaign brightly. Gase’s men began with a 3-0 record, brushing their opponents aside and then had a huge opportunity to take command of the AFC East by beating the Patriots. However, they were hammered on the road by Brady and company and have not been the same since.

The Dolphins managed to overcome the Chicago Bears on home soil in overtime before beating the Jets in a low-scoring contest. Their win over the Jets gave them hope of closing the gap once again at 5-4, but a defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers has all but ended any hope of competing in the East. Gase and his team now have to focus their efforts on the Wildcard Round and to do that, defeating the Colts on the road is a must.

Tannehill should be back in the fold as he has displayed enough in practice to suggest that he has recovered from his shoulder injury. The 30-year-old has not been the quarterback Miami would have liked to have seen from the 12^th-overall pick in the 2012 Draft. He has had his moments, but those have been few and far between in recent seasons. Tannehill has been underwhelming this term, although he is a huge step up in quality on Osweiler, and needs to be at his best to match Luck.

Miami’s defense has been one of the worst in the NFL, languishing in the bottom third in yards and points allowed. Luck has the ability to slice up their defense through the air, meaning that they will have to be flawless to stop Indianapolis on the road.

Head To Head

Games Played: 73 Games Indianapolis Colts: 26 Miami Dolphins: 45

The Dolphins have historically had the edge in the matchup between the two sides. However, Indianapolis have won five out of the last six meetings, including the last contest between the sides at Hard Rock Stadium. It was a sobering loss for Miami as the Colts managed to win the game despite being without Luck, while back up Matt Hasselbeck then went down with an injury, forcing Charlie Whitehurst into action. The Colts secured an 18-12 triumph on the road, using the rushing ability of Frank Gore to drive them over the line.

Betting Options

The Colts are playing impressive football at the moment, led by the quality of Luck throwing downfield. He is connecting with his wide receivers and tight ends with ease, while Mack and Nyheim Hines are having success in the ground game. Although Tannehill will return to the team, Miami do not have the talent to keep pace with Indianapolis’ level of scoring, especially on the road.

Take the Colts for the win at 1.27Bet €100 to win €12727/100Bet £100 to win £127-370Bet $100 to win $1270.27Bet HK$100 to win HK$127-3.70Bet Rp100 to win Rp1270.2700Bet RM100 to win RM127  at BetOnline, while back Miami to keep within six points at +6 on the spread at 2.18Bet €100 to win €21859/50Bet £100 to win £218+118Bet $100 to win $2181.18Bet HK$100 to win HK$2181.18Bet Rp100 to win Rp218-0.8475Bet RM100 to win RM218  with 888Sport. The over/under line has been set at 51 points by TopBet, take the over at odds of 1.91Bet €100 to win €19191/100Bet £100 to win £191-110Bet $100 to win $1910.91Bet HK$100 to win HK$191-1.10Bet Rp100 to win Rp1910.9100Bet RM100 to win RM191 .

Tips Summary

Indianapolis Colts To Beat Miami Dolphins
Sunday 25^th November 2018 16:25 ET (21:25 GMT)
Odds: 1.27Bet €100 to win €12727/100Bet £100 to win £127-370Bet $100 to win $1270.27Bet HK$100 to win HK$127-3.70Bet Rp100 to win Rp1270.2700Bet RM100 to win RM127

Miami Dolphins +6 Spread
Sunday 25^th November 2018 16:25 ET (21:25 GMT)
Odds: 2.18Bet €100 to win €21859/50Bet £100 to win £218+118Bet $100 to win $2181.18Bet HK$100 to win HK$2181.18Bet Rp100 to win Rp218-0.8475Bet RM100 to win RM218

Over 51 Points To Be Scored
Sunday 25^th November 2018 16:25 ET (21:25 GMT)
Odds: 1.91Bet €100 to win €19191/100Bet £100 to win £191-110Bet $100 to win $1910.91Bet HK$100 to win HK$191-1.10Bet Rp100 to win Rp1910.9100Bet RM100 to win RM191