The New York Giants travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in Week 16. Here’s everything you need to know about today’s match-up.
After a rainy, sloppy, and absolutely ugly loss to the Tennessee Titans a week ago, the New York Giants fell to 5-9 on the season. More importantly, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth time in the last six years. As the team looks to finish the last two weeks of the regular season on a high note, it starts with trip to Indianapolis to take on the Indianapolis Colts (8-6).
Here’s a quick guide to today’s game:
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Channel: CBS
Line: Indianapolis -9.5
Series History: The Giants are 7-11 all-time vs the Colts and this will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2014. The last time the Giants defeated Indianapolis was in 2002, when they won 44-27.
Injury Report: For the third straight week, Big Blue’s offense will be missing receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with a quad injury. Sticking on the offensive side of the ball, receiver Russell Shepard (ankle) and starting center Spencer Pulley (quad) are both inactive as well. Defensively, linebacker Alec Ogletree is out with a concussion and defensive end Kerry Wynn will miss the game with a thumb injury.
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Things to Watch For:
- Giants quarterback Eli Manning has amassed quite the resume over his 15-year career. Among being in the Top-10 All-Time for passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completions, he’s also beaten 29 out of 32 NFL teams. He can add another team to that list Sunday. Excluding the Giants, Manning has never beaten the Chargers or the Colts. A win today would make Eli one of four quarterbacks in NFL history who have defeated 30 teams throughout their careers.
- Big Blue running back Saquon Barkley has been one of the constant bright spots over the course of the year. Heading into this week’s match-up, the rookie phenom has the chance to rewrite the record books and reach some huge milestones.
- The NFL rookie running back reception record is currently 88 set by Reggie Bush in 2006. Barkley has 82 through the first 14 games, and seven receptions today would give him the record.
- The Giants franchise record for receptions by any rookie is 91 set by Beckham in 2014. With how heavily involved Saquon has been in the passing game this year, it’s not that unlikely to see a 10-reception day for Sa-quads and watch this record fall today as well.
- Barkley has surpassed at least 100 total scrimmage yards in 12 of 14 games this season. The NFL’s rookie mark for most games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage is 13, set by Erik Dickerson in 1983. A 100-yard day from Barkley would tie the 35-year old record and put him in position to break it heading into the last week of the regular season.
Key Offensive Player for the Colts: Eric Ebron – Tight End
The easy answer here would definitely be quarterback Andrew Luck, who’s been able to stay healthy and put together an MVP-type season behind a revamped offensive line. One main reason for his bounce-back year has been the sudden emergence of Eric Ebron as an elite offensive weapon. In his first four years with the Lions, he totaled 11 receiving touchdowns. This year alone he’s hauled in 12 touchdown passes, along with 59 receptions and 662 yards. Tight ends have always given the G-Men defense problems, and this year they’ve given up the 13th most receiving yards to tight ends in the NFL with 795. With the absence of Landon Collins and Alec Ogletree, Ebron will surely be a favorite target for Luck and could add another end zone trip to his already impressive season.
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) Key Offensive Player for the Giants: Evan Engram – Tight End
Sticking with the tight end theme here, but it’s hard not to after the production that Engram has brought to this offense the previous two weeks. After an impressive rookie year where Engram hauled in 64 receptions for 722 yards and six touchdowns, he’s had to deal with various injuries that have sidelined him for five total games throughout this season. He looks to be back to his former self the past two weeks, hauling in 11 receptions for 152 yards and showing flashes of the speed that makes him a mismatch nightmare. Engram could be the key for this Odell-less offense today, as the Colts are the worst team in the NFL this season defending tight ends – having given up 89 receptions for 1,030 yards thus far. The Colts will most likely copy the Titans and key on Saquon to keep him from making an impact, which could open the door for a huge day for Easy-E.
Key Defensive Player for the Colts: Darius Leonard – Linebacker
It’s no secret that Leonard is the best defensive player for the Colts and arguably one of the best linebackers in the NFL as a rookie. Leonard enters the contest with a league-high 99 solo tackles and 146 total tackles. His seven sacks, six pass deflections, one interception, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries are just icing on top. Leonard is the disruptive man in the middle who will be all over the field for the Colts. When he and Barkley meet in the hole, it’s possible you’ll be watching the offensive and defensive rookies of the year go head-to-head.
Key Defensive Player for the Giants: Olivier Vernon – Defensive End
A big key for the Giants defense will be to disrupt Andrew Luck and keep him from having the time to throw for his 282 yards per game average. That’s going to be hard to do, as the Colts are tied as the league leader in least amount of sacks given up this year with just 16. Vernon has been underwhelming and fairly disappointing the previous two seasons, as a nagging ankle injury has severely limited his production. His 4.5 sacks this year are the lowest of his career since his rookie year in 2012, and his 11 sacks and 25 QB hits over the previous two seasons just aren’t cutting it for what he’s being paid. With a great performance this afternoon, he can help turn his season around and leave a more positive note for Giants fans to remember him by before he’s most likely cut this off-season.
Game Prediction:
For starters, it will be nice to be playing in a dome where the weather will not be a factor, and we can hopefully watch an entertaining game. The Colts are going to do what they’re good at, protecting Luck and being balanced on offense. Their defense will do what any sensible team would do facing a Giants team with no OBJ and attempt to take away Barkley, putting the ball in Eli’s hands and forcing him to be the catalyst for the offense. If the offensive line shows up and can generate any form of ground game and give Barkley a chance, then there’s hope. The Colts are a young, tough team that’s playing inspired football right now as they’re fighting for a playoff spot. I think the Giants rebound and find a way to get it done in a low-scoring dog fight.
Final Score: Giants 20, Colts 17