Chargers vs Colts odds and predictions: Who is the favorite for Monday Night Football?

It’s ‘Monday Night Football’ in NFL’s Week 13 and we’ve got to bitter rivals from the NFC in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints. Here are you picks and predictions for this key matchup.

Chargers vs Colts: The lay of the land

It’s the final game of the Week 16 in the NFL and what a week it’s been. With the playoff picture now well and truly taking shape, we’ve got an interesting matchup between two teams that aren’t doing their best, but could likely provide us with the kind of action, that would be fitting for what’s been a crazy Christmas weekend. The Los Angeles Chargers will face the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football in the 15th game of the 2022 campaign for both teams. The Chargers are currently on an 8-6 record, while the Colts are on 4-9-1 following four straight losses. Though very slim, the Colts do have a chance at a playoff berth, while the Chargers can actually clinch a spot in the post season with a win in Indianapolis. That’s all to say, there’s actually a lot at stake in this one so despite both teams struggling of late, expect this to be an intense affair. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Chargers have improved on defense

In recent Weeks the Chargers have definitely been doing better on defense. If we take a look at the last two games, Los Angeles has allowed only 31 total points (15.5 per game), while giving up just 251.5 total yards on 4.8 yards per play in those contests. When it comes to passing yards allowed, the Chargers are actually above-average and so too is the case with first downs allowed and then, there’s also the 18 turnovers that they’ve created. In truth, the Chargers have been strong enough to hold opponents to a 53.3% conversion rate when it comes to the red zone drive to touchdown ratio, which is to say against a struggling Colts offense, things should - in theory - go well. Consider for a moment, that the Colts are 29th in scoring in the league with an average of less than 18 points per game. Then, there’s the number of errors they’ve committed with 27 turnovers and 13 fumbles. In case you’re wondering, that’s more than any other team in the league.

Now of never for the Colts

Despite their offensive woes, Indianapolis does have a decent defense. The team continues to rank among the top five in yards allowed per drive (27.5) and also ranks in the top 12 in total defense with just 329.3 yards per game. This is a team, that only allows a 36.8% conversion rate when it comes to third downs and have effectively cut the passing game of most teams that they’ve faced, with just 205.6 yards conceded per game. To make that extra clear, the Colts are allowing only 6.0 yards per pass attempt and 4.1 yards when their opponents try to run the ball. It should be said, that all of this is in no small part due to linebacker Zaire Franklin. The veteran still remains one of the best tacklers in the NFL and has got a minimum of 10 tackles in his last five games. Franklin has got 141 tackles in total of which 85 were solo, placing him in the top five in the league.

Chargers vs Colts: The Odds

Chargers vs Colts: The Prediction

Following their historic 33-point collapse against the Vikings last week, the Colts come into this one essentially eliminated from the playoffs - yes, we did say there’s a chance - and with a quarterback change. It would be unfair to say that it was quarterback Matt Ryan’s fault against Minnesota, but at this point does it really matter? With that said, Nick Foles will get the start against the Chargers on Monday night. Ultimately, we just can’t see Indianapolis rising to the occasion in this one. Between their recent struggles and the change in personnel, we’re giving the nod to the Chargers in this one. Our prediction? A 29-16 win for Los Angeles.