NFL Week 16 action brings us Chargers and Colts in one of the more underrated NFL matchups this week.
The Chargers have put themselves in a great position to qualify for the postseason. The Colts were eliminated and would love to play spoiler to anyone they can, especially after the heartbreaker against Minnesota.
Can the Colts find a win, or will this be another win on the resume of L.A.? The Chargers vs Colts prediction and analysis are below.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Chargers come into this one sitting at 8-6 and have found themselves in wildcard positioning in the NFL standings with only a few weeks left.
The rest of the Los Angeles Chargers’ schedule will need to be full of wins to secure their spot as the wildcard race starts to heat up.
Luckily for them, their schedule is one of the easiest ones left, and they will be in control of their destiny.
The Indianapolis Colts enter this one after being eliminated from playoff contention following Thursday night’s game results.
Though recently eliminated mathematically, you’d have been hard-pressed to find anyone who thought the Colts had a real chance of making the postseason. The Colts now sit with a 4-9-1 record with nothing but pride to play for.
Last Game Record
The Chargers are coming off a 17-14 victory over the Titans. Though the outcome was in L.A.’s favor, it’s hard to describe that game as confidence-invoking.
If you’re a Chargers fan, as Herbert looked horrible putting up NFL player stats that you can’t have from your Q.B. this late in the season.
He completed 28/42 for 313 yards, failed to throw a single T.D., and had 2 INTs. While both of their primary backs, Ekler and Kelley, were able to find the end zone. Neither one had massive production on the ground as the duo combined for 82 yards on the ground.
On the other hand, the Indianapolis Colts’ stats were solid for a half before the team mentally checked out for an early vacation.
The Colts blew the largest lead in NFL history losing 39-36 after being up 33-0 to the Minnesota Vikings. There truly is no excuse for blowing such a large lead, and though Jeff Saturday is new to coaching in the echelons of the NFL, I promise you I could find plenty of high school coaches who could protect a 33-0 lead with two quarters to play.
Chargers vs. Colts Analysis
The Los Angeles Chargers have a statistically solid offense built around the young face of the franchise, QB Justin Herbert. Though having a shaky performance last week. Herbert is one of those talents that only come up a few times in a generation.
He is a consistent passer who is being asked to do too much for where he is in his career. He is still young, as the defense is leaving a ton to be desired despite that being head coach Brandon Staley’s specialty.
Admittedly the defense is super beaten up with 12 players on the NFL injury report. However, if the Chargers want any postseason success, they’ll have to find a way to play productive defense.
On the other hand, the Colts have a perfectly fine defense that is being asked to do way too much.
The Colts’ defense is ranked 12th in yards allowed in the NFL team stats but still gives up the 23rd most points.
A major contributing factor is how horrible this offense is. The team is both unable to score and has problems turning the ball over, averaging more turnovers than touchdowns a game. The Colts’ defense then has to defend terrible field positioning putting them further into a losing battle.
Odds Breakdown
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers come in as -4.5 favorites against the spread in one of the smaller NFL point spreads of the week. The Charger’s money line is set at -200
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ moneyline is set at +170, with the point total currently sitting at 46.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Indianapolis Betting Pick and Prediction
My NFL picks for week 16 are made off my Chargers vs Colts prediction of the Chargers winning this one easily 27-10. I have the Chargers capitalizing off of the turnovers the Colts will give up and dominating a weaker team on their way to the playoffs.
LAC -4.5
My Chargers vs Colts prediction has the Chargers winning by a landslide and covering the -4.5
U 46
I just don’t see any way the Colts will be any help in the point total. I don’t see them scoring too much.
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