The Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1, 2-4 away) host the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6, 4-3 away) in primetime to close out Week 16 of the NFL schedule. This is the first matchup between the two AFC foes since 2019. The Chargers lead the all-time series, 19-11.
Monday’s kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. EST inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Los Angeles is a four-point favorite, and the over/under total is 45.5 points.
What to Know – Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are sitting sixth in the AFC standings and chasing their first postseason berth since 2018. Los Angeles is no longer in the running to win the AFC West but can lock up a playoff bid with a win Monday night.
Offensively, Los Angeles is on the right side of the league average scoring 22.3 points and averaging 357.9 yards of total offense per game. The Chargers’ defense ranks near the bottom of the NFL, surrendering 24.3 points and 354.5 yards of offense to opposing teams.
The Chargers are healthy offensively heading into the marquee matchup on Monday night. A handful of defenders are on the injured reserve, but Los Angeles will have safety Derwin James Jr. back on the field.
Los Angeles is 8-5-1 against the spread this year and 4-3 ATS on the road. The Chargers are 12-2 ATS in their previous 14 games on the road against the Colts.
What to Know – Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis has been eliminated from the playoffs, but that doesn’t change its mindset over the remaining three games. The Colts will try and win out to build confidence heading into the 2023-24 season after underachieving this season.
The Colts’ offense hasn’t lived up to expectations this year, sitting in the lower half of the NFL averaging 17.5 points and 345.3 points per game. Defensively, Indianapolis holds teams to 24.1 points and 346.1 yards of total offense.
The big news out of Indianapolis this week was the benching of starting quarterback Matt Ryan for backup Nick Foles. Star running back Jonathan Taylor is done for the season, along with starting linebacker Shaquille Leonard.
The Colts have a 6-8 record ATS this season with a 3-3 record in Indy. Indianapolis is 4-1 ATS over its last five contests played in December.
The Pick is In
Los Angeles would like to win tonight and begin to rest some of their starters instead of stress over the final two weeks of the regular season. The Chargers are the healthiest they’ve been since the beginning of the year, with all the offensive playmakers good to go against the Colts.
Indianapolis can play spoiler for L.A. in a battle for pride and defending its home turf. It is going to be a struggle for Foles and the Colts offensively, as a struggling offense isn’t going to get better in one week.
The Pick: Los Angeles Chargers -4
