The New York Jets will travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to challenge the Indianapolis Colts in the Week 9 edition of Thursday Night Football at 8:20 p.m ET on the NFL Network.
Last Thursday night, the Packers were victorious over the previously unbeaten Cardinals. In 2021, Thursday Night Football games have been quite entertaining.
However, we are due for a clunker. Cue the Jets-Colts matchup in the NFL Week 9 kickoff game.
While the Jets are one of the worst teams in the NFL, the Colts are treading water looking for some momentum. The Jets could be that game to propel the Colts for a second-half run at the AFC South. That Colts’ run begins on TNF.
For in-depth analysis and extended betting tips for TNF Week 9, read on for the latest installment in the TNF football predictions series.
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Thursday Night Football Prediction Week 9
The Week 9 edition of Thursday Night Football features the Jets and Colts, two teams heading in two different directions.
The Jets are going nowhere fast. They are also dealing with injuries, which are beginning to pile up. While Jets QB Zach Wilson is dealing with a PCL injury that will keep him sidelined until at least Week 10, No. 1 wideout Corey Davis is doubtful for tonight’s contest with a hip injury after missing Week 8 as well.
Mike White is coming off a phenomenal performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8, but will he be able to do it again in a short week against a tough defense on the road? Consider me skeptical.
The Colts’ defense entered Week 8 as a top 15 team in the top defensive statistical categories but are at their best in the fewest points allowed per game. The Colts are also the No. 1 team in takeaways.
After lighting up the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8, Mike White will be under center again for the New York Jets against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
The key to a Colts win is doing what they do best, which is running the football behind the white-hot Jonathan Taylor, who has broken out as of late following a slow start.
With Taylor running strong down the enemy defense’s throats, passing lanes are opened up for Carson Wentz to exploit the opposing secondary with the play-action pass downfield to his top pass-catching option, Michael Pittman Jr.
With the Indianapolis offense firing on all cylinders, which is the expectation facing one of the worst defensive units in the NFL, they will be unstoppable on Thursday night unless they play down to the inferior Jets.
From top-to-bottom, the Colts are the better team in all three phases. They will dismantle the Jets at home on TNF.
TNF Week 9 Pick: Indianapolis Colts 29, New York Jets 14
Thursday Night Football Betting Trends for 2021
- The Over is 2-6 with the Under hitting in six straight games.
- The Underdog is 4-4 against the spread.
- The Favorite is 7-1 on the Moneyline.
- The Home Team is 4-4.
*Anthony Cervino is 18-9 on his NFL Best Bets for 2021 for The Game Day.
Thursday Night Football Best Bets Week 9
*NFL gameday odds and lines are current as of Thursday, November 4 at 9 AM ET.
TNF Best Bet: Colts -10.5 (-110) at Caesars
Wager: 1 Unit
10.5 points is a massive spread to cover. However, the Colts should get the job done.
I predicted that the Jets would score 14 points, which might be overly generous. They could very well be held to fewer than 10 against an Indy defense that will send pressure and force turnovers. And we know that the Colts’ offense can pop, especially against a bad New York defense.
The Colts are a middle-of-the-pack team in scoring offense, but the additional scoring opportunities stemming from presumed takeaways should be enough for the Colts to put enough points on the board to cover the 10.5 on our NFL gameday odds.
TNF Best Bet: Under 46 Total Points (-110) at Caesars
Wager: 2 Units
The Under has hit in six consecutive TNF matchups. I don’t anticipate that changing this week. 46 is a relatively low total, but as I alluded to earlier, New York will likely struggle to score here.
The Colts will blow the Jets out, but once their offense seizes a significant lead, they will begin to kill the clock with their terrific ground attack.
The Under is the play for our NFL bet of the day.
TNF Best Bet: Colts Moneyline (-550) at Caesars
Wager: 5 Units
With so much juice on the Colts’ moneyline, it doesn’t make much sense to bet it on its own. Rather, your best bet is to use it in a same-game parlay as a slight odds-booster.
