The Indianapolis Colts (8-4) and Las Vegas Raiders (7-5) are set for a crucial matchup at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday in Week 14.
Both teams will be battling to improve their stock in the AFC playoff race with just four games remaining. The Colts are 2.5-point favorites in this matchup with most of the NFL experts siding with Indy in their predictions.
Here’s how the Colts Wire staff sees the game breaking down:
Kevin Hickey (@KevinHickey11): Colts 28, Raiders 24
This is a tough game to predict given the volatility of the Raiders. On one hand, they beat the Kansas City Chiefs. On the other, they get romped by the Falcons and beat the Jets because Gregg Williams called a zero blitz when literally any other play would have been better.
Both teams come into this matchup looking to solidify their spot in the AFC playoff race. The Colts are the No. 7 seed while the Raiders are right behind them at No. 8. It will be a close game but with the Colts nearing full health (most specifically Anthony Castonzo), they should have enough to keep this game from slipping away.
The Colts can run the football on the Raiders, but it’s actually Philip Rivers who will come through with a big game against a beat-up secondary. DeForest Buckner and Denico Autry will combine for three sacks while Michael Pittman Jr. and Zach Pascal catch touchdown passes.
Sam Sinclair (@samsinclair96): Raiders 27, Colts 24
The 8-4 Indianapolis Colts head to Las Vegas with plans to do what most of us do when we go to Las Vegas, win big. In an important late regular-season game that will determine playoff seeding this has quietly build up into a critical game for Indianapolis.
What to make of the Las Vegas Raiders? They have wins over the Kansas City Chiefs, and Cleveland Browns, but also losses to the New England Patriots, and Atlanta Falcons. Philip Rivers and the offense will get a much-needed boost this week with the possible return of Anthony Castonzo. It will also help that the Raiders are 24th in pass defense, and 29th in total sacks.
If the Indianapolis defense can fix their first-half woes, they should come out with a victory. After a disappointing performance vs the New York Jets, and the return of some key offensive starters, I think the Raiders will win.
John Alfieri (@alfierijohn): Colts 30, Raiders 21
In a must-win game for both teams, the AFC wild card could be made on the line as the 8-4 Colts travel to Vegas to take on the 7-5 Raiders. After narrowly beating winless Jets last week, Vegas is looking to bounce back in a big way.
The absence of Josh Jacobs could be a huge blow to this offense that has struggled at times in recent weeks. It should be a good day for the Colts run defense, which is one of the best in the NFL. Expect added pressure on Derek Carr which should come from Deforest Buckner and Grover Stewart in the middle.
The Raiders also have injuries to their secondary, which is something Philip Rivers must capitalize on. Look for T.Y. Hilton to have another big game like he did last week in Houston. Michael Pittman Jr. should see a considerable amount of targets as well.
This game will be close, but Indy will pull away eventually in the second half. I expect Rivers to throw the ball 35-40 times as Nick Sirianni tries to attack the weaker parts of this Vegas defense. This will be a big win in terms of the AFC playoff picture.
Standings
1. Kevin (10-2)
2. Sam (8-4)
3. John (7-5)
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