Much is on the line in Oakland today as the Colts and Raiders face off at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Indianapolis holds the top spot in the AFC South but its lead is tenuous as the Jaguars lurk close behind waiting to pounce on a Colts loss. Oakland, meanwhile, is hoping to claw its way back into the AFC West title picture, where it remains two games back of the Chiefs. Today's game is scheduled to kickoff at 4:05pm ET on CBS. NFL Week 16 Picks have the Colts listed as a -3 against the spread road favorite; the Over/Under is set at 47.5.
Indianapolis won its second straight game
last Sunday and regained the lead in the AFC South with a 34-24 win over Jacksonville at Lucas Oil Stadium. The victory brought the Colts record to 8-6 overall and put their playoff destiny in their own hands. Simply put, if Indy wins its final two games, it will be going to the playoffs for the ninth consecutive time.
The Colts, though, do not have the easiest road to hoe, facing Oakland today and a Tennessee team, that as of right now, is still alive for the AFC South title. And, unlike season's past, Indy has also shown a lack of consistency at times. However, the Colts are starting to get a little healthier, which puts them in prime position to extend their current win streak to three games, something they have done only one other time this season.
Oakland's playoff chances are far more precarious than the Colts at this juncture, but thanks to a 39-23 pounding of the Broncos last Sunday, the Raiders are still in the postseason hunt. Oakland, at 7-7, can only find entry through a division title at this point, though, and that does not bode well for a team two games back of the division leader with just two games to play.
The Raiders, which are 5-2 at home, must upset Indy today and have the Chiefs lose to the Titans in order to make next weekend's visit to Kansas City more than just a formality. Should those two things take place this afternoon, Oakland could win the AFC West with a win at Arrowhead in the season finale and at least one San Diego loss in the final two weeks of play.
NFL Week 16 Picks Betting Trend: The Raiders are 3-7 straight up and against the spread in their last 10 games as a home dog with a spread between 0 and 3.5.
NFL Week 16 Picks Indianapolis Colts vs Oakland Raiders Odds:
Indianapolis Colts -3 (-110), Over 47.5 (-110)
Oakland Raiders +3 (-110), Under 47.5 (-110)
