Chargers vs Colts Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks
Los Angeles Bidding to End Playoff Drought
The Los Angeles Chargers have an avenue to clinch a playoff berth this week and the first step is for them to beat the Indianapolis Colts on Monday on the road.
The most straightforward path is a win coupled with losses by the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, and New York Jets, but head coach Brandon Staley isn’t interested.
“You have to keep your head down and put the focus on your opponent,” Staley, whose team is 7-4 in one-score games, told the media. “You see it all around the league where these games are all tight regardless of what the (team) record is. That’s why the NFL is special.”
The Colts will use their third different starting quarterback this season as veteran Nick Foles will start for his sixth different team in place of the beleaguered Matt Ryan, who fell victim to another epic collapse in a massive comeback by the Minnesota Vikings last week.
Foles posted a 3-9 record as a starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears over the last three seasons and is probably no better than the man he is replacing at this point.
“Hopefully, he plays well enough and leaves no doubt,” interim head coach Jeff Saturday, who is 1-4 this season, told the media. “That’s the intent (for Foles to play the final three games).”
Let’s check the latest NFL odds, stats, injury reports, and NFL lines for Chargers vs Colts. We’ve plenty of Vegas NFL odds and NFL week 16 picks for you to consider.
Chargers vs Colts Betting Lines
Taylor Rises to Occasion in Rookie Season
After suffering injuries to their defensive backfield, the Chargers turned to rookie Ja’Sir Taylor to man the slot corner, and the sixth-round pick from Wake Forest has performed well.
Taylor held Jaylen Waddle to two catches for 31 yards in the Chargers’ 23-17 win over the Dolphins two weeks ago and has played solid run defense despite a 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame.
“I think what Ja’Sir proved is that he can play the slot. You don’t know until he’s out there if he can do it or not,” Staley told the media. “To know that you have a backup that can play, that’s a starter, we think that’s a winning edge for us. The more coverage guys, the better.”
Colts Lacks Game-Breaker
With Jonathan Taylor out for the season, the Colts will have to use a running back by committee, which will likely include Zack Moss, Deon Jackson, and newly promoted Jordan Wilkins.
Wilkins played in 45 games with the Colts from 2018 to 2020, surpassing 300 rushing yards each season, but did not have a carry in four games last season and has six this season.
Jackson, a second-year player out of Duke, had one of his better games against the Vikings, rushing for 55 yards and 4.2 yards per carry, but Moss got a larger share of the carries.
Whoever gets the ball should find some holes in the Chargers’ defense, which has surrendered the fifth-most rushing yards per game (145.6), including 161.4 yards per game on the road.
Chargers vs Colts Game Injuries
Chargers vs Colts Head-to-Head
The Chargers and Colts haven’t met since 2019 when Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett were the quarterbacks for the respective teams. Los Angeles has won seven of the last nine meetings vs. the Colts to take a 19-11 lead in the series, including 12-4 in games played in Indianapolis.
Chargers vs Colts Game Information
- Game: Chargers vs Colts
- Date/Time: Monday, Dec. 26, 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
- How to watch Chargers vs Colts? ESPN
Chargers vs Colts Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
Chargers vs Colts Weather Conditions
Indoor stadium, turf field
Chargers vs Colts Picks & Prediction
Predicted Score Chargers 37, Colts 13
- Worth Betting on the Moneyline?
While the Chargers are a likely winner, the -220 money line isn’t attractive
- Worth Betting ATS?
Los Angeles is 8-5 against the spread this season and should cover the 4½ points with ease. The use of an alternate spread of 7-9 points could improve the odds.
- Worth Betting on the Totals?
Neither offense is great, but the defenses have a hard time stopping anyone.
The Los Angeles Chargers are listed at -220 in our Vegas NFL lines. This means that if you wager $100 on Chargers, you have a chance to win $45. The Indianapolis Colts are +180, offering a chance to win $180 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Los Angeles Chargers a 68.75% chance to win, with Indianapolis Colts at 35.71%.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
Chargers vs Colts Trends
Chargers vs Colts Edge
Chargers vs Colts Results
Chargers vs Colts Game Summary
