Chargers vs. Colts Monday NFL injury report, odds, trends: Bettors split on spread, heavy on Austin Ekeler to score touchdown

Rather interesting betting splits for tonight's Los Angeles Chargers at Indianapolis Colts game via BetMGM as LA opened as a 3-point favorite but is up to -4.5 with 62% of the tickets on Justin Herbert and Co. to cover the spread but just 19% of the money even though Indianapolis has been eliminated from playoff contention – that happened on Thursday in Week 16 when the Jaguars won at the Jets -- and is starting former third-stringer Nick Foles at quarterback.

On the moneyline, the Colts were +135 and are now +170. They are taking 42% of bets but only 18% of money. The total has dropped from an open of 47.5 points to 45.5 with 57% of the tickets and 61% of the money on the under. Three straight Chargers games have gone under (average of 39.3 total points scored per) and three consecutive Colts games have gone over (63.0 total PPG).

The Chargers (8-6) sit sixth in the AFC and would clinch a playoff spot with a win tonight. They have been as banged up as any team in the league this season and surely would like to lock it down here and perhaps starting resting guys. They close home vs. the Rams and at Denver.

Los Angeles will get a big defensive boost with the return of Pro Bowl safety Derwin James from injury. He has missed the past two games with a quad issue but isn't listed on the injury report. As for Indy, if Foles gets hurt it won't be Matt Ryan replacing him but Sam Ehlinger. He last saw game action in Week 9 when he drew his second consecutive start in the team's 26-3 loss to the Patriots.

That loss led to the firing of Coach Frank Reich and hiring of Jeff Saturday as interim coach. He immediately benched Ehlinger and started Ryan, but now the former MVP is all the way down to No. 3 on the depth chart. Cornerback Kenny Moore remains out injured. Star running back Jonathan Taylor was placed on season-ending IR this week with an ankle injury.

The two most-wagered player props tonight are on Chargers running back Austin Ekeler: +400 to score the game's first touchdown and -200 for an anytime TD. He has nine rushing scores and five receiving TDs. Ekeler's 34 TDs from scrimmage since the start of last season are by far the most in the league.

Also taking heavy action is Colts receiver Parris Campbell under 38.5 receiving yards at -115.  In two of the past three games, he hasn't had more than 14 yards receiving, but obviously Foles wasn't under center for those. Indianapolis is last in the NFL in average depth of target – just 6.7 yards beyond the line of scrimmage per pass.

The Chargers are 17-10 all-time against the Colts in the regular season, but they haven't played since Week 1 of the 2019 campaign. 

• Picks: NFL | NBA | CFB | CBB
• DFS: Lineup Optimizer | Picks
• Early Edge: YouTube | Apple Podcasts
• Newsletters: SportsLine Daily | Fantasy

Qualifying SportsLine members receive a 30-day free trial of Paramount+ premium. Sync your account right here.