Colts vs. Lions: NFL preseason betting odds, preview, and pick
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
August 24th, 2021
The Detroit Lions will hope to secure their first preseason victory, in the final week of exhibition play, when they host the 2-0 Indianapolis Colts on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
Blough solidifies spot as No. 2 QB
In Week 2 of the preseason, Detroit suffered a 26-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who played veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for most of the first quarter.
Big Ben completed eight of his 10 passes for 137 yards, two touchdown passes, and a perfect passer rating (158.3) against a Lions defense that sat a number of starters.
Detroit's offseason quarterback acquisition, Jared Goff, was also sidelined, as David Blough and Tim Boyle ran the offense.
The team punted on its first five possessions and struggled to cross midfield until late in the third quarter, when Blough stepped in for Boyle. Blough, a second-year backup, completed 12 of his 17 passes, for 143 yards and a score, while Boyle tallied just 44 yards, with seven completions on 15 attempts.
David Blough marches the #Lions right back down the field for another score to make it 26-13 in favor of the #Steelers. Is Blough the clear cut #2 behind Goff? #DETvsPIT pic.twitter.com/hYzKvJnIpX
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) August 22, 2021
Running backs Godwin Igwebuike and Craig Reynolds, and rookie receiver Javon McKinley, all scored touchdowns in the fourth quarter to bring the score within six points.
D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams didn't see any game action, and Swift may sit out Friday's preseason finale because of a groin injury.
Goff and the rest of the first team should get a bit more playing time against Indianapolis, but the Colts defense has looked steady throughout the preseason and will force Detroit to put up a tough fight to earn its first win under new head coach Dan Campbell.
Reich still evaluating backup QB spot
Colts quarterback Carson Wentz is one member of the first team who will not suit up Friday, as he continues to nurse his foot back to full strength.
Head coach Frank Reich will use Week 3 to make a decision on the quarterback depth chart and determine which backup — Jacob Eason or Sam Ehlinger — could start the regular-season opener, if Wentz is unable to play.
Eason got the start in Week 1 of the preseason, but rookie QB Ehlinger played hero, as he led Indy to a come-from-behind win against Carolina.
In last week's 12-10 victory against the Minnesota Vikings, Ehlinger got the start and took a step back.
He completed eight of his 13 passes and tossed two interceptions, and one was returned for a touchdown in the first quarter. Eason completed 16 of his 27 attempts for 132 yards but failed to score.
PFF grades from yesterday's matchup with the Vikings:
— PFF IND Colts (@PFF_Colts) August 22, 2021
Sam Ehlinger - 56.0
Jacob Eason - 56.0 pic.twitter.com/I19lwt5AQs
The Lions defense looked strong against Minnesota, which started Kirk Cousins and played him through the first half of the first quarter.
Cousins' three drives resulted in two punts and a missed field goal, while the Vikings' only touchdown of the game came on defense.
The Colts defense has surrendered just one touchdown in preseason play.
Colts vs. Lions injury report
| Indianapolis Colts | Detroit Lions |
|---|
QB Carson Wentz: Questionable (foot) | TE T.J. Hockenson: Questionable (undisclosed) |
CB Andre Chachere: Questionable (concussion) | RB D'Andre Swift: Questionable (groin) |
G Quenton Nelson: Questionable (foot) | DE Da'Shawn Hand: Questionable (ankle) |
DT Antwaun Woods: Questionable (hamstring) | DT John Penisini: Questionable (undisclosed) |
LT Eric Fisher: Out (Achilles) | C Evan Brown: Out (undisclosed) |
Colts and Lions trends
- The Over has hit in 10 of Indianapolis' last 15 games
- The Over has hit in five of Detroit's last seven games against Indianapolis
- Frank Reich is 6-4 in preseason play
- Indianapolis is 2-0 in the 2021 preseason
- Dan Campbell is 0-2 as a head coach in the preseason
Colts' depth will make the difference in Detroit
The Lions will want to finish the preseason strong in front of their home crowd, but their lack of depth will be a problem against a Colts team that has had backups step up in exhibition play and perform well under pressure.
With Goff likely to get more snaps, Detroit's offense should get a lift and score more points, but Indianapolis has too much talent to drop the ball in the final exhibition game.
Expect a bit more scoring, with the first team on the field, and for the Colts to close out the preseason undefeated.
Score prediction: Colts 18, Lions 16
NFL preseason pick: Over 32
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