Our NFL betting writer brings you his best Colts vs. Cowboys predictions and picks for their NFL Week 13 showdown, which is live Sunday on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET.
The Colts (4-7-1) have lost two in a row to fall further behind the first-place Tennessee Titans in the AFC South, while the Cowboys (8-3) have won two in a row to remain two games in back of the Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) in the NFC East.
Dallas mauled the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 20 and posted a 28-20 victory over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving Day to build momentum toward a pivotal battle versus visiting Philadelphia on Dec. 18.
Cowboys vs Colts Picks
- Cowboys to cover -10.5 @ -110 at Caesars Sportsbook
- Colts to punt on first drive @ -230 at Caesars Sportsbook
- Over 43.5 points @ -110 at Caesars Sportsbook
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Cowboys vs. Colts predictions and analysis
Indianapolis quarterback Matt Ryan has been under fire since returning to the starting role, a move made in Jeff Saturday’s debut has the team’s head coach. Ryan will need to keep his head on a swivel against an aggressive Dallas defense that leads the NFL with 45.0 sacks, with Micah Parsons ranking second in the league with 12.0 to go along with 21 quarterback hits.
Keeping the ball in the hands of his teammates is paramount for Ryan, whose Colts are tied for last in the league with 21 giveaways and 31st in the NFL with a margin at minus-10. The Cowboys, in turn, are fourth in the league in turnover margin (plus-5) and tied for seventh with 16 total takeaways.
Dallas will pit its seventh-ranked rushing offense (139.2 yards per game) and 13th-ranked total offense (353.3) against a stingy Indianapolis defense. The Colts rank fifth in the NFL in total defense (308.9) and sixth in pass defense (190.6).
Cowboys -10.5
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott hasn’t missed a beat since returning from a thumb injury, guiding an offense that has averaged 33.8 points over the last five games that he has been under center. He has recorded multi-touchdown passing performances in each of his last four contests and overcome six interceptions this season.
CeeDee Lamb has looked every bit the No. 1 wide receiver the Cowboys envisioned him to be. He has reeled in 31 catches for 448 yards and three touchdowns during the last five games.
A potent rushing game prevents defenses from focusing merely on Lamb, however. Ezekiel Elliott has rushed for a touchdown in each of his last four games, while fellow running back Tony Pollard has recorded at least 100 scrimmage yards in four of his past five contests.
Cowboys vs. Colts pick: Cowboys to cover -10.5 @ -110 at Caesars Sportsbook
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Colts to punt on first drive
With the Colts allowing an NFL-high 43 sacks, Saturday likely will look to Jonathan Taylor to slow down the Cowboys’ aggressive charges. It’s a good idea considering Taylor has answered a five-game touchdown drought by finding the end zone in each of the last three contests.
Taylor, however, will find room to run in short supply on Sunday night given Ryan is doing little to keep defenses honest. Promising wideout Michael Pittman has shown flashes this season, however Indianapolis doesn’t have enough firepower to scare an opponent — well, save for Taylor.
To boot, Cowboys safety Malik Hooker is champing at the bit to make a statement against his former team to boot. That statement — whether from Hooker or the team — will come early on Sunday night.
Cowboys vs. Colts pick: Colts to punt on first drive @ -230 at Caesars Sportsbook
Over 43.5 points
The notion that the Colts are contending for a division title says more about the state of the AFC South than the power of Indianapolis. Sunday night’s game will paint that picture very clearly.
The Cowboys are by far a more complete team than the Colts, and a national audience will bear witness to that.
Expect Dallas’ offense to get it in gear quickly to dispatch Indianapolis and keep heat on Philadelphia in the NFC East.
Cowboys vs. Colts pick: Over 43.5 points @ -110 at Caesars Sportsbook
Cowboys vs. Colts odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total Points: 43.5 |
| Colts | +10.5 (-110) | +420 | Over -110 |
| Cowboys | -10.5 (-110) | -550 | Under -110 |