Panthers vs. Colts Sunday Prediction
The Colts have officially been eliminated from postseason contention and now have questions at quarterback where Jacoby Brissett has struggled. That said, will they roll versus the Panthers in Will Grier’s first start in the NFL?
Game Snapshot
471 Carolina Panthers (+6.5) at 472 Indianapolis Colts (-6.5); O/U 47
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 22, 2019
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Public Betting Trends
According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Panthers are receiving 51% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.
Carolina Panthers Fantasy Spin
Curtis Samuel (knee) is questionable for Week 16 against the Colts. Samuel popped up on Thursday’s practice report as a limited participant and didn’t do anything at Friday’s end-of-week session. His status for Sunday’s game in Indianapolis could go down to the wire. Complementary weapons Jarius Wright and Chris Hogan would be candidates for increased roles if Samuel can’t get the green light.
Indianapolis Colts Fantasy Spin
Coach Frank Reich said T.Y. Hilton escaped Week 15 without setbacks and expects his snaps to increase Weeks 16-17. Hilton played 51.8% of the snaps in his return from a calf injury this past Monday night against the Saints, serving as the No. 4 receiver but leading the team with nine targets. Hilton gets a plus matchup in the home dome against the Panthers this week, but he needs to be treated as a boom-bust WR3 with Jacoby Brissett struggling and Hilton obviously at risk for re-injury
NFL Betting Trends
Carolina
The Panthers are just 1-4-1 against the spread in their last six games overall.
Indianapolis
The Colts are a perfect 7-0 against the spread in their last seven games after allowing less than 0yards rushing in their previous game.
Prediction
The Colts are just 2-5-1 against the spread in their last eight games overall, are 1-3-1 against the number in their last five games coming off a loss and are 1-6-2 at the betting window in their last nine games when facing an opponent with a losing record. Indianapolis looked completely checked out on Monday night in New Orleans and Brissett continues to miss open receivers as he tries to throw the ball 100 mph an hour. Grier is a complete unknown but Christian McCaffrey is not. I’ll take the Panthers to keep the game within a touchdown.
NFL Week 16 Prediction: Carolina Panthers +6.5