Colts-Chargers Monday Night Pick and Props
The Indianapolis Colts will host the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night and here’s everything you need to know going in, including our pick and three props.
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Remember Jeff Saturday’s coaching debut on Nov. 13 when the Colts stunned the Raiders and Matt Ryan was the savior in Las Vegas? Well, it’s a good thing the Colts won that game or they’d be sitting on an eight-game losing streak after somehow blowing that 33-0 lead to the Vikings last week. And really, this team is almost unrecognizable at this point.
Matt Ryan is back on the shelf, 33-year-old Nick Foles (and not 24-year-old Sam Ehlinger) is the new starting quarterback and running back Jonathan Taylor, the consensus No. 1 pick in fantasy this season, is done for the year. The Colts have been eliminated from postseason play but rather than close out the season allowing Ehlinger to get some much-needed work, Saturday seems hell bent on trying to win out and end the season on a 'positive note.' And let’s not forget that Foles hasn’t thrown a pass this season or started a game since one year ago today. Saturday also isn’t sure how he’s going to use his running backs, of which he has three. Zack Moss, Deon Jackson and Jordan Wilkins are all going to get carries and trying to figure out which one will stand out isn’t going to be easy. Last week, when they blew the 33-point lead, Indy had zero rushing TDs and the carries were divided as such - Moss had 24 carries for 81 yards and Jackson had 13 carries for 55 yards. If Wilkins is in the mix tonight things could get confusing.
The Chargers only have two things working against them tonight and that’s that they’re not at home and that the Colts are going to try to win this game. The Chargers are trying to make their first playoffs since 2018 and their defense is playing better of late than it has all season. Granted, they were facing the Titans and the suddenly struggling Dolphins the last two weeks, but they had good showings against Derrick Henry and Tua Tagovailoa, for what it’s worth. The Chargers have won three of their last four games, as well as two straight, quarterback Justin Herbert is looking for his fourth straight 300-yard passing game, and Austin Ekeler, who has 14 touchdowns this season (9 rushing, 5 receiving) has scored a touchdown in two straight games, as well as in four of his last five.
Top Oddscrowd performer Mgriff026 likes the Colts getting the points tonight, while trusted user Tomwitthauer also likes the Colts moneyline at +170. Additionally, the Oddscrowd algorithm gives the Colts a 2.3 percent Plus Expected Value bet tonight. And despite all that, as well as the fact that I’m from Indianapolis, I’m taking the Chargers -3.5.
Pick: Chargers -3.5
Prop 1: Justin Herbert over 282.5 Passing Yards (-117)
Prop 2: Austin Ekeler over 54.5 Rushing Yards (-107)
Prop 3 Nick Foles to throw an interception (-149)
