Los Angeles Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts Prediction: Bolts Look to Stay Hot on MNF
Well if you are the Indianapolis Colts right now, where do you go from here? As everybody in the free world now knows, the Colts lost the biggest lead in NFL history when they allowed the Minnesota Vikings to overcome a 33-0 deficit to beat them 39-36 in overtime last week. Where on Earth is their mindset now? Do they rally around each other and play their best game of the year this week against the Chargers? Or do they completely crumble?
The statistic they showed late in that game on the NFL Network said that teams with 30-plus point leads were 1,548-1-1 in pro football games since 1930. Make that 1,548-TWO-1.
Oh, on top of all that, guess what else? The Colts (4-9-1) were officially eliminated from the postseason due to their loss to the Vikes and the Jaguars' win over the Jets this past Thursday. And now Indy is making a change at quarterback as Matt Ryan has now been at the controls of both the biggest lead ever blown in NFL history AND the biggest lead ever blown in a Super Bowl. We all remember that 28-3 lead that wilted away against Tom Brady and the Patriots a few years ago. Ugh.
Meanwhile, it's all balloons and seashells for the Chargers. They have a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a win here and some losses by the Raiders and Patriots. The Chargers (8-6) have won three of their last four games, all in dramatic fashion. In fact, interesting stat of the day: All eight of the Chargers' wins have come by a single score. So get those fingernails ready for another panic of a finish.
Monday Night Football: Los Angeles (8-6) at Indianapolis (4-9-1)
Kickoff: Monday, Dec. 26 at 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Spread: Chargers -4
Tickets: As low as $41 on SITickets.com*
Three Things to Watch
1. Foles back in the fold
Oy vey. The Colts will be starting their third quarterback of the season as they yank Matt Ryan and turn the keys over to Nick Foles, who has started just one game in the last two seasons (leading the Bears to a win over Seattle in Week 16 last year). And he will make the move from scout team to the first team, knowing that the Colts' O-line has an NFL-worst 47 percent pass block win rate. Not the ideal situation for Foles to step into, obviously. The Super Bowl 52 (I hate the Roman numerals they use) MVP took over for Carson Wentz in that magical Eagles season and hopes to have a similar result here for Indy… well, he won't win the Super Bowl or anything, I'm just saying he hopes for positive results. He'll be operating without star running back Jonathan Taylor, who went to the IR, but he will have Zack Moss (24 carries, 81 yards vs. Minnesota) and Deon Jackson (13 for 55) to attack that 31st-ranked rush defense of the Chargers.
2. Keep Austin hot
Speaking of running backs, did you guys happen to see the game that Dalvin Cook had against the Colts last week? Aye-yaye-yaye. The Viking running back ran for 95 yards on 17 carries and gained 95 yards on four catches. That included the game-tying touchdown on a mind-blowing 64-yard screen pass. All of which means Austin Ekeler should be licking his chops for Monday night. The Charger running back has 95 catches this season, which is not only 21 more than any other RB in the league, he is five catches away from becoming just the fifth at his position to haul in 100 or more catches in a season.
3. Look for another clutch performance by Justin Herbert
The former Oregon Duck keeps on growing up before our eyes. As mentioned above, he has won eight games by a single score this season. Last week, he took the Chargers 52 yards down the field in the final 50 seconds to set up the game-winning field goal to beat Tennessee 17-14. And it still wasn't a "great" game for him by any means, though he did throw for 313 yards but had no touchdowns and two picks. Still, he is getting his sea legs under him when it comes to the final minutes in games, throwing darts to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, among his many targets. The Colts actually rank 10th in the league giving up just 206 passing yards per game, but Kirk Cousins was able to torch them for 460 yards and four touchdowns last week. With their playoff hopes dashed, Herbert could be throwing against a demoralized defense this week.
Final Analysis
Obviously two teams in two different circumstances involving their seasons. It will be tough to tell which Colts team will show up here, the one from the first half against the Vikings or the one from the second half? Last week's first half aside, the Colts' offense has been mostly bad this season, failing to reach the 20-point level in nine of their first 13 games. And now they'll move forward with a new QB? Mercy.
One thing to keep in mind about the Colts' defense: they have given up 55 points in the last two fourth quarters. As of press time they have not been able to petition and get this game shortened to three quarters.
Prediction: Chargers 38, Colts 34
— Written by Eric Sorenson, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network. He is a college football, college baseball and college hockey addict... and writer. Follow him on Twitter @Stitch_Head.
*Price as of publication.
