Seattle Seahawks (1-2) 1-2 ATS, 1-2 O/U at Indianapolis Colts (3-0) 2-1 ATS, 1-2 O/U Sunday October 4, 2009 Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana 1:00 p.m. EST
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Seattle +10.5/Indianapolis -10.5
Over/Under: 44
The Seattle Seahawks lost another heartbreaker last weekend at Quest Field to Chicago Bears 25-19. The Seahawks were missing key players including their starting QB Matt Hasslebeck, and left guard Rob Simms who left the game in the second quarter with a side injury. Even though Seattle was missing some of their regulars they still positioned themselves to win the game.
Hawks backup QB Seneca Wallace made some risky passes but overall he had a decent outing. Wallace was 26 of 44 for 261 yards, one touchdown and one INT. Wide receiver Nate Burleson pulled in 9 catches for 109 yards while running back Julius Jones rushed for 98 yards on 19 touches behind a suspect offensive line.
Defensively, the Seahawks had three newbies playing in the game and all were linebackers. LB David Hawthorne was making his first NFL start and he took full advantage of the opportunity by having a career day with 16 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble. The 16 tackles tied a record for third most in Seahawks history. But with game on the line the Hawks couldnt get the stop they needed and the Bears made them pay.
Seattle Field goal kicker Olindo Mare missed two kicks that put the Hawks in a tough spot and possibly cost them the game. Head coach Jim Mora was furious and blasted his opinion of Mare but then he revised his comments shortly after his rant. Either way, Mare may be watching from the sidelines if he cant get the pigskin through the toothpicks. Mare agreed that he made some poor kicks but vowed that he would be back and get past the blunders.
Peyton Manning will be waiting for that band-aid Seattle defense to show up Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts are coming off of a huge win at Arizona last week where Manning and company picked apart the Cardinal defense in a 31-10 route at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Indianapolis appears to be on cruise control once again, and Peyton Manning is a familiar piece to the Colts success. Manning has the savvy to read defenses so well that even the Cardinals were trying to hide their packages by jumping in and out of sets in an attempt to fool the veteran QB- yeah, that didnt work out too well. I can only imagine how much fun Manning is going to have versus a young, backup scattered defense. The Hawks are missing Pro Bowl corner Marcus Trufant as well as CB Josh Wilson, and oh yeah, LB Lofa Tatupu is questionable with a pulled hammy. Overall, the Seahawks have 10 players on the IR.
The question from most Colts fans remains the same; will we win when it matters most? The Colts have had plenty of seasons where they run through teams on their way to the playoffs to only fall short of expectations. I dont think thats fair for fans to be so spoiled as to expect a Superbowl every year, but rather, appreciate the fact that Indianapolis is in it every season. Somehow Mr. Manning keeps finding ways to win and he does it with new clientele as he is basically coaching them up as they go.
Seahawks Matt Hasselbeck will not play against the Colts, according to coach Mora he will be out at least another week with a broken rib. Seneca Wallace will get his second start in as many weeks. Seattle will need to find the endzone more frequently as they have scored 6 TDs in 6 quarters with Hasselbeck and one TD in 6 quarters with Wallace.
The Colts are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in week 4. Seattle is 1-6 in their last 7 road games against a team with a home winning record.
The over is 4-1 in the Seahawks last 5 games in week 4. The under is 7-2 in Seattles last 9 games versus a team with a winning record. The under is 4-1 in Colts last 5 games overall.
This game opened at Indianapolis -11 but has moved to -10.5 in favor of the Colts.
Wilson’s Pick: This very well could be a blowout, but on the other hand, NFL teams laying double digits has always been a less than desirable proposition. I hate to say it, but this game has zero value betting-wise so I’m recommending a pass.
