Chris Phillips
The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a disappointing loss but are also very close to making the playoffs for the first time in two years. Making the playoffs would be a huge accomplishment for the team. Nobody thought they would be good enough even to be this close to the playoffs. Yet, Shane Steichen has this team on the cusp of making the postseason and possibly winning the division.
With the news that Jacksonville has ruled out their starting quarterback for this week’s game. A win by the Colts and a loss by Jacksonville would put the Colts in first place in the AFC South. It would also mark the second consecutive year where the team leading the AFC South for most of the year ends up choking away a postseason opportunity. Last season, it was Tennessee, and this year, it could be Jacksonville.
Regardless of that hypothetical, the Colts have a very winnable game in front of them. They will need to guard themselves against a revenge game from Las Vegas. Just last season, Indianapolis’ interim head coach beat Las Vegas. Now, this week’s opponent is being led by an interim head coach.
Here are four bold predictions for the Colts vs. Raiders Week 17 matchup.
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Davante Adams catches seven passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns
The last time these two teams met, Davante Adams caught nine passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. That was also when the Colts had Stephon Gilmore as their top cornerback. This time around, either rookie JuJu Brents or Jaylon Jones will be going up against the veteran wide receiver.
Another difference in this go around is that Las Vegas is being quarterbacked by rookie Aidan O’Connell as opposed to Derek Carr. So, while Adams is still a premier wide receiver he hasn’t had a typical season for himself. However, Adams will have a favorable matchup against the inexperienced cornerbacks of the Colts. He gets loose for a few big plays en route to surpassing the century mark.
Aidan O’Connell passes for 250 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception
Rookie Aidan O’Connell is having an impressive rookie season. It’s been quite the journey for O’Connell as he was a walk-on at Purdue and then a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft. He impressed throughout preseason, and it didn’t take too long for him to move from third-string quarterback to second-string and now starter.
Is O’Connell the franchise quarterback for Las Vegas? Odds say he’s not. However, he could be a very capable starting quarterback for the franchise. Aside from two games where he turned the ball over three times, he’s shown that he can lead an NFL team. This week, he throws for 250 yards, for only the second time this season, and the aforementioned two touchdowns and one interception.
Related: See where Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell rank among starting QBs
Michael Pittman Jr catches 10 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown
Last week against Atlanta, it was very clear that Michael Pittman Jr is, arguably, the most important part of this team’s offense. Last week, the Colts passed for only 170 yards, and there wasn’t anyone that Gardner Minshew was able to rely on to get open for critical plays. Now, of course, Pittman missed the game because he was in concussion protocol.
He has since cleared protocol and is set to roll against Las Vegas. He’s on pace to have the best season of his career. With one more catch, he’ll set a new career high for catches; with 20 more yards, he’ll set a new career high in yards; and with three more touchdowns, he’ll set a new career high in a season. This week, Pittman catches 10 passes surpassing 100 yards and recording one touchdown.
Related: Best NFL Draft prospects in the 2024 College Football Playoff
Jonathan Taylor rushes for 150 yards and two touchdowns
Jonathan Taylor did not have a good game against Atlanta last week. To be fair, their run defense is one of the better ones in the league as they rank 15th in rushing yards allowed at 110.9 per game. On the other hand, Las Vegas ranks 22nd in rushing yards per game, allowing 122.2. Since Taylor led the NFL in rushing yards back in 2021, he hasn’t been the same.
He missed six games in 2022, and so far this season, he’s missed seven. However, as previously mentioned, last year when these two teams met, Taylor had a vintage game. He rushed 22 times for 147 yards, one touchdown, and caught two passes for 16 yards. This week, Taylor tops last year’s performance as he rushes for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
