Colts vs Bills Odds Lines and Spreads
- The Buffalo Bills are 6.5-point favorites over the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC Divisional Round playoff game Saturday at Bills Stadium
- John Perrotto Betting Record: 10-7-2 (2.3 units won)
- The odds, lines, and spreads for Colts-Bills can be found below along with analysis of the game
The Buffalo Bills will be playing their first home playoff game since the 1996-97 season when they face the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC divisional round at 1:05 pm ET Saturday at Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, NY.
The Bills (13-3) won their final six games of the regular season, their longest winning streak since 2004, to get the second seed in the AFC. They also tied the Miami Dolphins for the league’s best record against the spread at 11-5 and are favored in this game.
The seventh-seeded Colts (11-5) were a .500 team ATS at 8-8. However, they finished strong straight up with four wins in their last five games.
Colts vs Bills Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | +240 | +6.5 (-114) | Over 51 (-110) |
| Buffalo Bills | -295 | -6.5 (-106) | Under 51 (-110) |
Odds taken Jan. 7 from FanDuel.
Day of Emotion
This marks the first time during the pandemic-affected season that fans will be allowed into Bills Stadium. Approximately 7,000 people admitted to the 70,000-seat facility.
Covid-19 testing is underway and running smoothly here in Lot 4 across from Bills Stadium.
Fans need to test negative of course, to attend the playoff match up against the Colts Saturday. #BillsMafia
I’ll have a live report on the CW23 at 8am! @news4buffalo pic.twitter.com/QPPfViAUUE
— Gabrielle Mediak (@GabrielleMediak) January 6, 2021
It figures to an emotional day for a couple of reasons beyond the fans finally getting to see the AFC East champions – the Bills’ first division title since 1995 – in person.
For one, the Bills will be playing their first playoff game in Western New York in nearly a quarter century. It has been a long wait for Bills Mafia.
Secondly, the Colts are coached by Buffalo fan favorite Frank Reich. He was the Bills’ backup quarterback for nine seasons from 1985-94 and engineered the biggest comeback in NFL history during the 1993 playoffs, rallying Buffalo from down 35-3 to beat the Houston Oilers 41-38.
When the @BuffaloBills overcame a 35-3 deficit with backup QB Frank Reich in the Wild Card Round. (Jan. 3, 1993)
Reich will lead his @Colts against his former team on #SuperWildCard Weekend.
📺: #INDvsBUF — Saturday 1:05pm ET on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app pic.twitter.com/VTzQlKgnds— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) January 4, 2021
Youngster Against Veteran
It will be a young quarterback on the rise against a wily QB still looking to reach the Super Bowl as the Bills’ Josh Allen matches up against Philip Rivers.
Though Allen led the Bills to the postseason a year ago, he had a breakout season in 2020. The third-year pro set franchise records with 4,544 yards passing and 37 touchdown passes while completing 69.2% of his passes and being intercepted 10 times.
Josh Allen no look touchdown pic.twitter.com/czhHa2PGFX
— William Fredrick Cody (@BuffaloBilICody) January 3, 2021
Allen also wants to atone for his playoff debut in which the Bills held a 16-0 halftime lead on the road against the Houston Texans last year but wound up losing 22-19. Allen was 11-of-26 passing for 133 yards in the second half while losing a fumble.
Following a slow start in his first season with the Colts, the 39-year-old Rivers has been solid as he has a 68.0 completion percentage, 4,169 yards, 24 TDs and 11 picks.
There IT IS.
Salute to Philip Rivers. With his 421st career Pass TD he is now 5th all-time in NFL history.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/dgEdNbRv5D
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) January 3, 2021
Rivers started 11 playoff games during 16 seasons with the Chargers. However, he advanced as far as the AFC Championship Game only once.
Injury/Weather Reports
Bills wide receivers Stefon Diggs (oblique) and Cole Beasley (knee) both practiced on a limited basis Thursday but are questionable for Saturday.
Diggs led the NFL and set franchise records with 127 receptions and 1,535 receiving yards in his first season after being acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in a trade. Beasley, who sat out the 56-26 rout of the Dolphins in last week’s regular-season finale, has 82 catches for 967 yards and four scores.
Just when you thought Stefon Diggs couldn’t get any more impressive… displaying phenomenal dental hygiene. #Bills pic.twitter.com/q4NWzBTxL9
— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) January 3, 2021
Offensive tackle Will Holden (ankle) and cornerback Rock-Ya Sin (concussion) have been ruled out for the Colts.
January weather can be nasty in Buffalo, but the forecast is good. The high temperature is expected to be 34 degrees on a partly sunny day with winds at 6 mph.
Something to Prove
The teams last met in 2018 and the Colts blasted the Bills 37-5 in Indianapolis, taking advantage of five turnovers. Derek Anderson threw three interceptions and lost a fumble.
Allen, who watched from the sideline that day as a rookie, is a considerable upgrade over Anderson. Allen is also a better quarterback than when he blew the big lead to the Texans.
Look for the Allen the Bills, thanks to superior talent and a big shot of adrenaline, to continue their momentum and roll in this one.
Pick: Bills -6.5 (-106)
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
