Scouting the Colts: Week 16

The Chargers are back in primetime in Week 16.

The Bolts and Colts will meet Monday night in Indianapolis. Kickoff is at 5:15 p.m. (PT).

We chatted with JJ Stankevitz, who covers the Colts for their team website, to get a preview of the game.

The Colts are coming off a wild Week 15 game against the Vikings. What’s the vibe within the team heading into Monday night?

JS: Talking with a few players this week, it’s about what you’d expect from any team that’s underperforming expectations this late in the season – let’s stick to our routine and do what we can to still try to win these last three games. I don’t get the sense players have quit on this season, even after blowing the largest lead in NFL history (33 points). And guys have quite a bit of pride they don’t want bruised in primetime. I think they’ll be competitive on Monday.

Indianapolis announced that Nick Foles will start against the Bolts. Why was that move made and what does Foles bring to the offense?

JS: Interim head coach Jeff Saturday is looking for two big things: Better execution in the red zone (the Colts are 31st in red zone touchdown percentage) and more downfield shots (the Colts are 32nd in average depth of target). Whether Matt Ryan or Sam Ehlinger has been the starter, the Colts have struggled mightily in those two areas this season. Foles still possesses above-average arm strength and, for what it’s worth, won his only start with the Chicago Bears in 2021 (a 25-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks, also in Week 16). We’ll see if Foles can provide an early spark, then help better execute an offense that’s averaging just 17.5 points per game.