Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Game information for the Week 16 matchup.
The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) and Atlanta Falcons (6-8) are ready to battle in a Week 16 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.
While the Colts control their own destiny fighting simultaneously for a wild-card spot and the top spot in the division, the Falcons are doing everything they can to stay in the NFC playoff picture.
Here’s all the information you need heading into this Week 16 matchup:
Here are the staff picks for the Week 16 game between the Colts and Falcons.
The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) and Atlanta Falcons (6-8) are just about set to face off for a Week 16 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.
The sportsbooks have the Colts sitting as road underdogs while the experts around the league are heavily siding with the Indy to win on the road.
Here’s how the Colts Wire staff sees this Week 16 matchup shaking out:
Here is the rooting guide for the Week 16 games as the Colts make their playoff push.
The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) control their own playoff destiny as they enter Sunday’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 16.
Having won five of their last six games, the Colts are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They take on a Falcons squad that has lost five of their last seven and are turning back to Taylor Heinicke as the starting quarterback after Desmond Ridder was benched for the second time this season.
While the focus for the Colts will be solely on winning their game, we can take a look at how Indy can get some help in the playoff race through the other games on the Week 16 slate.
Here’s the rooting guide in Week 16 as the Colts make their final playoff push:
NFL experts are siding heavily with the Colts over the Falcons in Week 16.
The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) will be on the road this weekend visiting the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) for a Week 16 matchup Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
While the Colts have won five of their last six games, the Falcons have lost five of their last seven and are turning back to Taylor Heinicke after benching Desmond Ridder for the second time this season.
Vegas has the Colts sitting as 2.5-point road underdogs in this matchup, according to BetMGM.
Here’s how the experts around the league see this matchup shaking out:
| Expert | Pick | Score (if applicable) | Link |
| Nate Davis (USA TODAY) | Colts | 23-20 | Link |
| Jarrett Bell (USA TODAY) | Colts | 24-23 | Link |
| Lorenzo Reyes (USA TODAY) | Colts | 18-13 | Link |
| Mike Clay (ESPN) | Colts | — | Link |
| Dan Graziano (ESPN) | Falcons | — | Link |
| NFL Network | Colts | 20-18 | Link |
| Bill Bender (Sporting News) | Colts | 21-18 | Link |
| Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) | Falcons | 23-20 | Link |
| Cam DaSilva (Sportsbook Wire) | Colts | — | Link |
| Bleacher Report | Colts | 24-21 | Link |
Over at Tallysight, 83% of the analysts have the Colts walking away with an upset victory on the road. In terms of the spread, 80% of analysts believe the Colts will cover.
According to BetMGM, the numbers also favor the Colts. As of this writing, 82% of the bettors are taking the Colts moneyline while 82% also have them covering a 2.5-point spread. Meanwhile, 58% believe the game will hit the over on a 45-point total.
The Colts are currently right in the middle of a crowded AFC playoff picture. They enter the week as the No. 7 and final seed in the conference, but they also are in a three-way tie for the top spot in the division.
The Falcons are still fighting for their playoff chances and find themselves one game back for the top spot in the NFC South division.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[lawrence-related id=92773,92770,92738]
Those in the blue area of the TV map will get the Colts vs. Falcons on FOX.
The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) are on the road in Week 16 as they will face the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.
Those in the blue area of the TV map will get the game on the local FOX channel, courtesy of 506 Sports.
Getting the call for the FOX crew this week will be Adam Amin (play-by-play), Mark Schlereth (color commentary) and Kristina Pink (sideline).
The Colts currently hold the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff race while in a three-way tie for teh division lead with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.
The Falcons are one game behind the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture in the NFC.
The Colts opened the week as slight road underdogs despite the fact that they’ve won five of their last six games. On the other hand, the Falcons have lost five of their last seven.
[lawrence-related id=92738,92758,92755]
Here are five things to watch for as the Colts visit the Falcons.
The Indianapolis Colts enter Week 16 in the thick of a contentious battle for the AFC South crown and a playoff berth. Nothing can be settled this weekend but each game continues to matter more because of win or loss will have major implications heading into Week 17.
The Colts will be on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. The two franchises have faced each other just 17 times since 1966 with Indianapolis having won 15 of those contests.
The two wins by the Falcons came in 2011 (in Indy) and 1998 (in Atlanta). The Falcons should be a feisty team in this matchup because a loss will basically eliminate them from the postseason and a win can keep their slim playoff chances alive.
With both teams needing a big win on Sunday, let’s take a look at five things to watch for:
Here’s where the Colts stand in the power rankings entering Week 16.
With three games remaining in the regular season, the Indianapolis Colts (8-6) have a chance to continue their push for the playoffs in the AFC race.
Coming off their worse loss of the season, the Colts managed to bounce back with an impressive 30-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) in Week 15 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Now, it’s time to take a look at how that conference win impacted the power rankings.
In most outlets, the Colts improved their spot in the rankings by moving up a few pegs. They consistently rank in the low-to-mid teens.
Next to their ranking, the number in parentheses indicates the change from the previous week. A positive number means they’re moving up the power rankings.
Here’s where the Colts stand in the Week 16 power rankings:
Shane Steichen didn’t go into details about the suspensions, but he did mention the need for accountability.
The Indianapolis Colts made a somewhat surprising move Tuesday announcing the suspensions of wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and cornerback Tony Brown for conduct detrimental to the team.
In meeting with the media Wednesday for the first time since those suspensions were announced, head coach Shane Steichen didn’t offer much in the way of details.
But he did mention the standard the team is trying to build.
“I’ll start off, as you guys have seen, we’ve suspended Isaiah McKenzie and Tony Brown. I know you guys are going to have questions regarding specifics, but it’s a matter that we’re handling internally and I’ve got nothing to add on that,” Steichen said.
When asked about the difficulty of deciding to self-impose suspensions, Steichen mentioned the importance of accountability.
“Yeah, no I think there are standards around here and we’ve got to hold people accountable. That’s it,” Steichen said.
Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reported Wednesday that both players’ lockers were cleared out.
Isaiah McKenzie and Tony Brown have had their lockers removed from the Colts locker room.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) December 20, 2023
It still isn’t clear what led to the team suspending two key special teamers, and it isn’t clear when (or if) we will find out what happened.
What is clear is that Steichen is going to run a tight ship while trying to build a winning culture, something the players seemingly have responded to during the early part of his tenure.
“I think everything is case by case. There are certain things that happen on football teams, but again, there is going to be a standard set around here and people are going to be held accountable.”
[lawrence-related id=92737,92732,92716]
Taking a look at where the Colts stand in the AFC playoff picture entering Week 16.
The Indianapolis Colts have just three games remaining between them and the end of the regular season making the AFC playoff picture even more dire entering Week 16.
Being able to bounce back in an impressive way, the Colts took care of business in a 30-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at home despite dealing with some injuries to key players.
Now, it’s time to take a look at the updated AFC playoff picture entering Week 16:
Here is the unofficial depth chart for the Colts in Week 16.
The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) released their unofficial depth chart ahead of the Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons (6-8).
The term “unofficial” should be taken to heart here as the pecking order could change on a whim. Still, we’re here to take a look at the depth chart going into the crucial matchup against the Falcons.
Here’s a look at the unofficial Week 16 depth chart for the Colts:
