A non-conference confrontation closes out Week 15 of the NFL schedule, with the Indianapolis Colts visiting the New Orleans Saints.

New Orleans has locked up the NFC South title and is still in the hunt for the top seed in the conference and home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs. Indianapolis, on the other hand, has been plagued with injuries in the second half of the season and is falling further out of the postseason picture with a 1-5 SU record in its last six games.

The best sports betting sites have the Saints installed as 9-point home favorites. If you’re betting the NFL odds for Monday Night Football, here are some angles and edges to work into your handicapping:

Dodgy defense
The Colts relied heavily on their stop unit in the first half of the season, giving up an average of only 20.5 points against through the first 11 games of the schedule. However, those numbers have swung significantly in the past two games, with Indianapolis allowing a collective 69 points against in losses to Tennessee and Tampa Bay.

The Colts take on one of the most dynamic offensive attacks in the league this Monday. New Orleans is scoring 26.5 points on the season but since the return of quarterback Drew Brees to the lineup, the Saints are averaging 29.8 points per outing, including 46 points in a Week 14 shootout loss to San Francisco.

During the Colts’ current three-game losing skid, the defense is allowing 12.7 yards per completion – almost 2.5 yards higher than the team’s season average – and a total of 10 passing touchdowns. Before this current skid, Indianapolis had allowed just 12 touchdown passes in the first 10 contests of 2019.

Aching Indy
As hinted at above, the Colts have been crippled by big-name injuries in the second half of the season. That’s been most on offense, with top skill players missing significant time.

Those missing bodies has made it very tough on quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who has been holding down the fort under center since the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck this past offseason. Brissett’s completion percentage has dipped during this three-game slide and he has an unimpressive 3/2 touchdown/interception rate.

His favorite target, receiver TY Hilton is listed as questionable for Monday night. Hilton has been slowed by a calf injury but while he’s returned to practice in limited activity, the team says they won’t play him versus the Saints unless he’s 100% healthy – which could be asking a lot for a guy who’s only played in seven game this season.

Total time
The Over/Under betting total for Monday Night Football is set at 46.5 points. New Orleans enters with a 7-6 Over/Under record in 2019, going 4-3 O/U at home. Indianapolis is 8-5 Over/Under entering Week 15, with a 3-3 O/U count as a visitor. Both teams enter the prime time game on a 5-1 Over/Under run in their last six Monday Night Football appearances respectively.