The Indianapolis Colts (4-2) and Detroit Lions (3-3) are just about set to square off in a Week 8 matchup at Ford Field on Sunday afternoon.
While Vegas has the Colts sitting as road favorites in this matchup, the experts around the league are split on who will come out with a win.
Here’s how the Colts Wire staff feels the game will shake out in Week 8:
Kevin Hickey (@KevinHickey11): Colts 24, Lions 23
This will be a huge test for the Colts. They are coming out of the bye week. They are seeing the return of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and linebacker Darius Leonard. But they are also facing the best quarterback on their schedule to this point in Matthew Stafford.
This will be the perfect game to get the ground attack going as the Lions are allowing 131.8 yards per game, 4.5 yards per carry and their nine touchdowns allowed are tied for the sixth-most. This is the Jonathan Taylor week.
The Colts will also be tested with Kenny Golladay, who continues to make spectacular plays without getting separation. He will be a big test for Xavier Rhodes and Rock Ya-Sin.
This should be a close matchup and one that comes down to the wire, but the Colts get teh edge coming off of the bye week and getting Leonard back in the mix on defense.
Sam Sinclair (@samsinclair96): Colts 24, Lions 20
On paper, this would seem like a matchup the Colts should have no trouble with, but the Lions are playing their best football right now, winners in three of their last four, including a come-from-behind win in Atlanta last week.
One of Indianapolis’ biggest surprises this season has been the play of Xavier Rhodes, who has allowed the third-lowest passer rating this season at 46. This week, he gets arguably his toughest assignment with Kenny Golladay, who’s seventh in the NFL in contested catch rate, at 54%. On offense, I would look for the Colts to keep attacking through the air.
Detroit’s pass rush is almost non-existent, as they’re last in the NFL in pressure percentage on 1st and 2nd down, at only 16%. So look for Indianapolis to possibly take some shots downfield on early downs.
Las Vegas currently has this at -2.5 for Indianapolis but started it at -3. I feel this game will be close throughout and rather lower scoring. The Lions will put up a sneaky tough task at home, but I will take the Colts.
John Alfieri (@alfierijohn): N/A
N/A
[vertical-gallery id=52328]