A Chaotic Colts Season Continues Against Chargers On Monday Night |OSB
A Chaotic Colts Season Continues Against Chargers On Monday Night
By Sam Batz
The Indianapolis Colts (www.colts.com/) bizarre season continues on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers (www.chargers.com). The Colts have now turned to their third starting quarterback after benching a struggling Matt Ryan for the second time this season. Nick Foles will start for the Colts in his first game since starting for the Bears week 16 of 2021. Controversial interim head coach, Jeff Saturday, will look to bounce back after an unacceptable loss last week to the Vikings. Saturday’s team was on the wrong side of the biggest comeback in NFL history, giving up a 33-point lead. The Colts have all but given up on the season; they are 4-9-1 and were eliminated from the playoffs after the Jaguars win on Thursday.
The Los Angeles Chargers are second place in the AFC West at 8-6. LAC has an interesting path to the playoffs. They could clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Raiders loss, as well as a loss by the Patriots or the Dolphins. The Raiders fell to the Steelers last night in the “Immaculate Reception” game, meaning the Chargers fate is in their own hands. The Colts have struggled on offense but the defense has been surprisingly effective. Indianapolis ranks in the top 10 for passing yards allowed with 205.6 per game. The run stoppers are allowing 123.7 rushing yards and will look to stop Chargers bell-cow running back Austin Ekeler. Ekeler has been great for the Chargers, leading the team in rushing yards, total touchdowns, targets, and receptions.
Indianapolis will struggle to slow down the Chargers high-powered offense and the Colts offense is not nearly good enough to make a meaningful impact on the game, especially with their best weapon Jonathan Taylor out for the rest of the season. I like the Chargers in this game. Los Angeles is a -4.5 favorite and I would expect them to cover the spread. They will be playing for their playoff lives while the Colts have nothing to gain but a better draft pick. I recommend taking the Chargers in a moneyline wager but also expect them to cover the spread.
Austin Ekeler, Chargers RB, Over 95.5 Rushing+Receiving Yards
Ekeler is the workhorse in Los Angeles. He has been on the field for 67.1% of the Chargers plays. He leads the team in nearly every offensive metric and will be in for a huge game against a Colts defense that is giving up 24.1 points per game. Ekeler has been Justin Herbert’s favorite target, and in a game that they need to win, Ekeler will be used early and often. He is an absolute monster with the ball in his hands, seamlessly switching from power-runs through the middle to elusive jukes past would-be-tacklers. He has scored 14 touchdowns in 14 games, an impressive achievement. He will feast against the Colts and I predict Ekeler will go over his 95.5 rushing+receiving yards.
Justin Herbert, Chargers QB, Over 270.5 Passing Yards
Justin Herbert has been a force in the NFL from day one. He is the first quarterback in history to throw for over 4,000 yards in his first three seasons. He has thrown for over 300 yards in three straight games, and on Monday night goes up against a Colts defense that is giving up 205.6 passing yards per game. Keenan Allen is back in the lineup to catch deep balls, and Herbert’s safety blanket, Austin Ekeler, is primed for a big game catching the rock out of the backfield. Herbert and the Chargers have had trouble scoring touchdowns, but are averaging 357.9 yards per game and 274.2 passing yards. Justin Herbert is playing with all the confidence in the world and I predict he will go over his 270.5 passing yards prop.
Zack Moss, Colts RB, Over 55.5 Rushing Yards
In the absence of all-pro running back Jonathan Taylor, Zack Moss will take the lead as the Colts go-to running back. Moss ran for 81 yards off of 24 attempts last week against Minnesota. Taylor went down after the first play of the Colts first possession, and Moss was given plenty of opportunities to demonstrate what he could do. Moss did well with his opportunities, but split-time with fellow Colts running back Deon Jackson. Jackson is utilized as the catching-back, leaving Moss with the ball carrier role in the Indianapolis offense. Nick Foles will be starting as the Colts QB but has had limited time with the first team in practice. The Colts will lean heavily on their runners due to Foles’ inexperience with his current team’s play calling. I predict Zack Moss will surpass his 55.5 rushing yards prop.
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