Colts vs Jets Prediction: Indianapolis Goes Back to Richardson (Nov 17)

The Indianapolis Colts, sitting at 4-6, visit the reeling New York Jets (3-7). Our Colts vs Jets prediction is for underdog Indianapolis to cover the 3.5-point spread.

Head-to-head, Indianapolis leads the series 44-32, though the Jets did defeat the then-Baltimore Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III to spark the AFL-NFL merger.

Offshore Odds: New York is a 3.5-Point Favorite at Home

Colts’ Richardson Gets Another Opportunity at QB

Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen benched quarterback Anthony Richardson after consistently poor performances and the unpardonable sin of asking out of a game after a long scramble. Veteran Joe Flacco, 39, was given the job and pronounced the starter for the rest of the season.

It lasted two games.

Steichen and the Colts have praised Richardson’s maturity and diligence in the two weeks on the bench, but the objective reality is that Flacco did not play well in his two starts — both losses. Overall, they have lost three straight.

At 4-6 and in moderate contention in the AFC South, it makes sense to assess Richardson to determine if he is the long-term solution.

The Colts’ remaining schedule is weak, so it isn’t out of the question for them to get to nine wins and a potential playoff spot.

They enter the Jets game reasonably healthy.

Another Last Stand for the Jets

In the latest humiliation for the Jets, the Cardinals blew them off the field in Arizona in Week 10.

The 31-6 loss came on the heels of their best win of the season in Week 9’s Thursday Night Football Halloween matchup with Houston.

Amazingly, despite the mounting losses, dysfunction, ridicule, coaching changes, and dystopian future, they implausibly have an outside chance at turning around their season. A win over Indianapolis brings them to 4-7. On their schedule, the only game where they will be an obvious underdog is against Buffalo in Week 17.

New York and Aaron Rodgers should move the ball against Indianapolis. Defensively, they will pressure Richardson despite being weak against the run. The key is to contain running back Jonathan Taylor and to force Richardson to throw the ball.

Colts vs Jets Prediction: New York is Without Benefit of the Doubt

All signs point to New York winning at home and stirring hope that perhaps they can salvage the season. Still, they have been here before and lost games they should have won against Denver and New England.

Indianapolis has been opportunistic and somewhat lucky. They will cover the 3.5-point spread at MetLife Stadium.

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• Regular Season (NFL)