Detroit Lions vs Indianapolis Colts Picks and Prediction for Saturday August 29 2026

The Detroit Lions travel to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, to take on the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised nationally on NFL Network. Detroit enters the preseason finale with a 1-1 record, while Indianapolis is 0-1-1. The current betting line has the Colts favored by 3.5 points, with the total set at 35.5 points. Detroit is around +143 on the moneyline, while Indianapolis is approximately -173. Check out our free NFL picks for more NFL predictions throughout the season.

Both clubs are playing their third and final preseason game, so evaluating roster depth becomes especially important. Detroit has played two competitive, low-scoring games, while Indianapolis enters the finale looking for a response after a difficult home performance against Atlanta.

Lions Defense Has Kept Detroit Competitive

Detroit opened the preseason on the road against Cincinnati and suffered a narrow 16-14 loss. The Lions responded in their second game with a 17-13 victory over Washington, giving them a 1-1 record heading into Indianapolis. Both Detroit games have been decided by four points or fewer, and neither has produced more than 30 combined points.

The Lions have scored 31 points while allowing only 29 through their first two preseason games. While preseason results need to be treated differently from regular-season games because of changing personnel and rotations, Detroit's ability to remain competitive with its reserves is important when evaluating a point spread of more than a field goal.

Detroit's defense has been the most encouraging part of its preseason performance. The Lions have allowed an average of just 14.5 points per game, and that gives them a realistic chance to stay close even if the offense isn't particularly productive. Getting 3.5 points becomes valuable in a matchup that could again be decided late in the fourth quarter.

Colts Looking to Bounce Back at Lucas Oil Stadium

Indianapolis hasn't won through its first two preseason games. The Colts opened with a 13-13 tie against New England before suffering a 34-6 home loss to Atlanta. That leaves Indianapolis at 0-1-1 heading into its final opportunity to evaluate the roster before the regular season.

The numbers haven't been encouraging. Indianapolis has scored only 19 points in two games while surrendering 47, giving the Colts an average scoring margin of minus-14 points per game. The offense managed only six points against Atlanta, while the defense struggled to prevent the game from getting away once Indianapolis went deeper into its roster.

The Colts do have the advantage of playing the preseason finale at Lucas Oil Stadium, but they are being asked to win by more than a field goal. Indianapolis should be motivated to produce a better showing following the Atlanta loss, yet its first two performances don't provide much reason to trust the Colts laying 3.5 points. Detroit's ability to keep both of its preseason games close makes the underdog more appealing.

Detroit Lions vs Indianapolis Colts Picks and Prediction

Pick: Detroit Lions +3.5

Detroit plus the points is the side pick. The Lions have lost by two points and won by four through their first two preseason games, while Indianapolis has yet to record a victory and is coming off a 34-6 defeat. Detroit has also surrendered only 29 points all preseason compared with 47 allowed by Indianapolis. With the Lions getting more than a field goal in what projects as another relatively low-scoring preseason matchup, Detroit +3.5 is the better side of the number.

Pick: Under 35.5

The under is the total pick. Detroit's first two preseason games both finished with exactly 30 combined points, while Indianapolis has scored just 19 points through two games. The four games involving these teams have produced combined totals of 30, 30, 26 and 40 points, meaning three of four have finished below the current number. With both clubs working through reserve-heavy rotations in their final roster evaluation, Under 35.5 is the stronger total play.