The odds on the Los Angeles Rams-Indianapolis Colts Week 2 match-up opened at 4.5, but have been steadily trending in the direction of the Week 2 hosts. The line currently has the Rams as 3.5-point favorites. Those who are planning on betting the road team do not want to hear this. Still, it is and will always be better to take the money and run than to lose entirely. For the Rams, in this writer’s raw opinion, Week 2 is almost as certain as week 1 in that Los Angeles will not be a letdown and can cover the spread with little protest.
Don’t Bet on a Los Angeles Rams Letdown Week 2 Vs the Indianapolis Colts
In one of only a handful of games called a bettor’s game, the Seattle Seahawks bested the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, 28-16. The game itself did not appear as close as the score may indicate. The Colts had whatever deep threat that might have been in their initial game plan suppressed. They then countered with passes to running backs to the tune of 12 of 25 for 108 yards. This bit of information should be the meat and potatoes in analyzing the upcoming week 2 contest.
Rams Secondary Likely to be a return Problem for the Colts
To think that the Seahawks secondary is better overall than the Rams is a tough pill to swallow. For a first game of the season, last week was surprisingly impressive for everyone in coverage not named Jalen Ramsey. David Long Jr., for example, had five total tackles and was in on two pass breakups to compliment his professional first interception.
Rookie cornerback Robert Rochell led all Rams rookies with 27 snaps. He showed flashes of becoming someone in the future opposing defenses should not overlook. This included a very noticeable fourth quarter pass deflection to help thwart Chicago’s comeback aspirations.
If it was hard to distinguish if the post-John Johnson III/Troy Hill era secondary of the Rams missed a beat, it’s because it was. Carson Wentz and Company will feel the same if not more pressure Week 2 from a defensive front that features Aaron Donald. This can only be a huge plus for a secondary with multiple players with a knack for making plays. The Rams might have such a secondary.
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Linebackers Will Need to One-up Week 1 Efforts
Minus two the Zach Pascal touchdowns, Indy’s passing game was led by both running backs versus the Seahawks. Week 2 screams demands for better Rams linebacker output. Week 1 saw their respectable efforts start slow and nearly cost the Rams an opposing opening drive score. Carson Wentz will likely see his pocket collapse often enough to outdo his 4-carry, 23-yard Week 1 rushing total.
Rams linebacker Kenny Young’s Week 1 10-tackle showing was impressive. Justin Hollins made himself quite visible with eight total tackles, two sacks, one quarterback hit and 1 tackle for loss. Troy Reeder also put up decent numbers (four total tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass defensed) but should show up more in Week 2 with the Colts exhibiting more emphasis on spreading the ball to both sides of the field.
Not to be Offensive but Separation is Inevitable
As mentioned earlier, towards the week’s end, the sharp money has been trending towards the Indianapolis Colts. The reasoning might be the road game factor, Rams having to travel on a semi-short week and all. Another truth to consider, the Colts have too much talent on their roster to get blown out in two consecutive games to open the season. Human nature will take over, and the Colts will want to play so much better after getting thoroughly embarrassed. Also worth repeating, the Colts are at home.
Matthew Stafford, as confirmed by his own wife, is simply having too much fun to lose right now. The team is having fun. Sean McVay is having fun. Different week and opponent in a different location. Guess what. They are still in a dome, not in the harsh east coast elements that one could consider the great equalizer. The Rams offensive machine with not be slowed down in a dome. Indianapolis is no slouch defensively. Had this been the sixth or seventh game of ten played between the two current squads, betting the Rams would be less certain.
The Seahawks saw success spreading the ball throughout. The Rams have no reason to fail doing the same. It’s early yet and they, as a collective force, have too much to learn and perfect at this stage of the season. In other words, this is practically preseason Week 2 for the Rams. Players like receiver Van Jefferson and quarterback Matthew Stafford have no reason to feel comfortable enough to play it safe. Week 2 prediction: Rams 31, Colts 20
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