The Indianapolis Colts travel to New York in Week 17 for a matchup against the Giants with their playoff hopes still intact–for now.
Getting to the playoffs requires the Colts to win their final two games along with quite a bit of help. However, it is possible that Indianapolis could be eliminated before even setting foot on the field for Sunday’s game.
Awaiting the Colts is a Giants’ team with only two wins and they’ve lost their last 10 games. Even with the ups and downs that the Colts have had this season, they enter this game as the clearly more talented team. They have to win.
However, an added wrinkle for this week’s game is Anthony Richardson’s status. After not practicing at all during the week, he is listed as questionable.
To preview the matchup, click here.
So, with all that in mind, who do the experts have winning this game? Let’s take a look.
ESPN
ESPN’s three expert predictors are all taking the Colts in this one, with the margins of victory anywhere from four points all the way up to nine. According to ESPN’s FPI projection model, the Colts have a 68.3% chance of winning and do so by an average of 7.3 points.
NFL.com
Another clean sweep. All five of the NFL.com staff members are taking the Colts. Ali Bhanpuri notes the Colts 6-1 record against teams below .500 and that they are averaged 26 points per game offensively in those contests. That, coupled with the Giants’ litany of issues, makes the Colts the easy pick.
CBS Sports
Pete Prisco is picking the Colts to win convincingly by 14 points. To put it simply, Prisco asks the question, “how do they (the Giants) stop Jonathan Taylor?” His response is that the Giants won’t.
Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report doesn’t feel as strongly about the Colts chances with there being a 4-4 split, with half picking the Giants and the other half picking the Colts. Wes O’Donnell notes that the Colts own blunders could keep this game somewhat close, but he doesn’t see the Giants having an answer for Taylor.
Pro Football Talk
Mike Florio picks the Colts to win by 13 and Chris Simms has the Colts winning by 10. Florio is 162-78 in picking games this season and Simms is 162-78.
Sports Illustrated
All six of the SI staff members making picks are taking the Colts to win this one.