The Indianapolis Colts are set to take on the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17. The AFC matchup will be one to watch since so much is on the line for both teams. The 8-7 Raiders’ playoff chances are small but would be greatly boosted with a win on Sunday. As for the Colts, they would clinch a spot in the postseason contest with a Week 17 win. A lot of factors outside of football will affect this game, including COVID-19 absences and injuries. That being said, let’s take a look at my four boldest predictions for the Week 17 AFC game.
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Colts Week 17 Predictions
4. Sam Ehlinger over Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, which is horrible news for an unvaccinated quarterback. However, new COVID-19 protocols would allow him to return to the field sooner than originally expected. But what would have to happen for Wentz to suit up on Sunday?
For more insight on the Colts' Week 17 matchup against the Raiders, listen below:
One, the original positive test would have had to be performed five days before the game, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday. Two, he must have two negative tests before game time. Three, Wentz must be asymptomatic (it is unclear how the virus is affecting him).
All of this in mind, expect the Colts to start Sam Ehlinger in Wentz's place Sunday afternoon. There are way too many technicalities in this case, and I don't think Wentz will be able to check off all the boxes.
3. Sold performance by the backup rookie
Back-up quarterbacks have pleasantly surprised teams this season. In the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 13 game against the New York Jets, Gardner Minshew led his team to a dominating victory. In the Washington Football Team's Week 15 game against the Eagles, third-string quarterback Garrett Gilbert kept his team in the game with 194 passing yards.
Expect Ehlinger to do the same on Sunday. He proved himself to be a great quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, and I think he will have a little bit of beginner's luck in his first start in the NFL.
2. Run-dominant offense led by Jonathan Taylor
Ehlinger will be able to do a decent amount for the Colts' passing game but expect most of Indianapolis' offensive yards to be from the run game. They easily have the best running back in the game right now in Jonathan Taylor. The second-year star has 17 touchdowns on the season, with a season-high of four in one game just last month. Most of the Colts' yards will be on the ground, and most of them will be from Taylor.
1. Colts win
When healthy, it's obvious that the Colts would take over any game against Las Vegas, but the Raiders seem to have a pretty fair matchup against this depleted Indianapolis team. Since both teams have solid defenses and less-than-great offenses at the moment, don't expect a lot of points, and expect this game to come down to the final drive. Finally, my boldest prediction yet: Colts squeak by with a 17-14 win.
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