Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints Week 15 Pick

The Indianapolis Colts come to the Superdome for a Monday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints in week 15. The Colts have dropped three in a row, including an upsetting 38-35 loss to Tampa last week that they almost gave away. This recent slide has been hard to take, but they look to spring the major surprise this week. While losing in more-forgivable fashion, the Saints are also coming off a tough loss, losing 48-46 to the 49ers when a late FG allowed the Niners to prevail in a high-profile conference matchup. Can they regroup in time for this?

Colts Melting Down?

Not long ago, Indy was sitting at 6-4 and angling for a possible postseason run. Three straight losses have dashed those hopes, though they could technically run out and still stand a chance. But they were looking to win the division before losing twice to divisional foes before falling apart against Tampa last week. On three separate occasions in the game, they had a two-score lead, with the defense unable to show much late-resistance. It just doesn’t speak well of where this team is at heading into this week when they meltdown at such a crucial part in the season.

Issues with the Indy Offense

The story just keeps getting worse on this side of the ball for Indy. Granted, they are going against a Saints’ defense that isn’t getting better as the season gets older, but what will the Colts be able to do about it? Look at what they had before the season began and look at them now—no Luck, no Eric Ebron, no Devin Funchess, no TY Hilton. The offense is in tatters. The projected improvement of Brissett has flattened out. They’re not running the ball well anymore, though getting Marlon Mack in there should help. They have to keep pace with the Saints this week on the road, and it’s a big question if this patched-together offense can really hang.

What’s Going on with the Saints’ Defense?

Giving up 48 to the 49ers isn’t cause for alarm perhaps. They came out of the wrong side of a big offensive shootout—that can be explained away. But earlier, when Brees was out with an injury, the “D” really helped keep the team on the winning track. That seems to be waning, with the Saints having allowed 105 combined points in their last three games at the Superdome. Again, the question arises: “What can the Colts do about it?” But if the same “D” surfaces on Thursday that did their last three games at home, even the Colts can score and perhaps make it a challenge to cover the big number.

Bad Timing for the Colts?

The other two times the Saints lost this season, they followed with a win and cover. It would have been better for the Colts if the Saints won last week. With a top-heavy conference, any more slipups could mean a top seed is out of the cards, with the Saints having to host a wild card game. A lot is on the line, and one should expect an urgent Saints squad to surface at the Superdome on MNF. This is the second straight home game for the Saints, while the Colts are on the road for the second week in a row, already showing signs of the wearying effects of the season. Granted, all but one of Indy’s losses this season exceeded the one-score variety, but that came two weeks ago. I think Indy is waning.