Our Los Angeles Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts prediction takes a look at the Week 16 matchup that features a team battling for their playoff lives.
Let’s dive into the current NFL betting odds and key storylines to watch and make a prediction for the game. Note that all odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Tuesday, Dec. 20.
Chargers vs. Colts Odds
- Spread
Chargers -4 - Moneyline
Chargers -195 - Over/Under
46.5 points
Chargers vs. Colts Prediction
Just two weeks ago, the L.A. Chargers were 6-6 and were struggling to stay afloat in their efforts to make the 2022 postseason. Fast forward to now, and Los Angeles has won two games in a row — over some tough opponents — and they firmly control their destiny moving forward.
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Things look much different now than they did just a few weeks ago when some members of the NFL media were discussing whether or not Brandon Staley was on the “hot seat.” After back-to-back wins over Miami and Tennessee, Staley’s seen his name crossed off of that list recently.
A big part of the resurgence of this Chargers team has been the health of their receiving corps. Throughout the majority of this season, Justin Herbert has been throwing to his third, fourth, and even fifth options at certain key position groups. Getting Mike Williams and Keenan Allen back and healthy into the lineup has been a game-changer for this team, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Looking ahead to this week against the Colts, it’s important to not overlook this team. While they, of course, were in the news last week for their monstrous collapse against Minnesota, it’s worth noting that Indy presented a tough matchup for the Vikings in the first half on defense and special teams.
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With that being said, Indianapolis is dealing with injuries now, and morale could be a factor for them this week, coming off of a record-setting loss. If the Chargers can execute on offense and slow down the passing game for Indianapolis on defense, we should see them advance to 9-6 on the season and potentially into fifth place in the AFC.
As for Indianapolis, not much else is worth discussing for this team other than the disastrous outcome of Week 15.
After being up 33-0 at halftime against the 10-3 Vikings, head coach Jeff Saturday’s Colts experienced a monumental and historic collapse that ultimately ended in a 39-36 loss. They’ll go down in the NFL record books as the disappointing side of the biggest comeback in league history, which isn’t exactly going to help Saturday’s bids in an attempt to become a permanent NFL Head Coach.
On top of the loss from last week, the Colts just lost their best playmaker on offense for the season with an ankle injury. Jonathan Taylor was placed on IR and will miss the remainder of the season for the 4-9-1 Colts.
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If Taylor was healthy and in the lineup this week, it would be a huge boost for this Colts team going up against a susceptible Chargers run defense. The Colts will have to now turn to backup options in an attempt to take advantage of the plus matchup.
The biggest question going into this game, though, is centering around how the Colts respond after their defeat last week. Do they come out flat-footed in one of the final games of a lost season? If so, the Chargers could easily win by double digits.
Chargers vs. Colts Prediction
Chargers 27, Colts 17
