Indianapolis (6-7) at New Orleans (10-3)
When: Monday, December 16th, 2019
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome,
New Orleans, LA
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: New Orleans -8.5/44
The Indianapolis Colts saw their Hall of Fame quarterback retire prior to the start of the season, but put together a pretty good run behind backup Jacoby Brissett. The team was in contention for the AFC South title or even a wild card, but the defense has let them down during their current three-game losing streak and the Colts could be eliminated before they even take the field Monday night against the New Orleans Saints. Indy has surrendered 89 points in losing to Houston, Tennessee, and most recently, Tampa Bay (38-35). Meanwhile, the Saints are very much alive for not only the postseason, but a first round bye if they can finish in the top two. This could be the last, best chance for future Hall of Famer Drew Brees to win a second Super Bowl ring considering he will be 41 in January. New Orleans fell to No. 3 in the NFC after a 48-46 home loss to now-No. 1 San Francisco last Sunday in one of the better games of the season around the league. Dating to their days in Baltimore, the Saints are 8-5 all-time against the Colts. That includes a 31-17 win over Peyton Manning’s Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami (where this year’s Super Bowl is held). The Saints will actually honor that 10-year anniversary of their only Super Bowl win by bringing members of the 2009 team together for a reunion prior to the game. The Saints are 7-2 against the spread in the past nine meetings with the Colts.
Indianapolis was 5-2 at one point and leading the AFC South but now they hanging on by a thread. The defense was shredded by Jameis Winston in Tampa on Sunday as the Bucs had 542 yards of offense. The unit has dropped to 22nd in the NFL against the pass (245.4) and could be in for another rough outing against Brees. Running back Marlon Mack returned from a two-game injury absence and rushed for a score but was held to 38 yards on the ground against the Bucs, while No. 1 receiver T.Y. Hilton continued to remain out and is questionable for Monday. Brissett threw for a pair of touchdown passes for the first time since Sept. 29 in Sunday’s and would probably love to see Hilton back. The Colts will host Carolina next week before closing the season at Jacksonville.
Brees threw for 349 yards and five touchdowns against the 49ers last week, but it wasn’t enough as the defense surrendered 516 yards. Brees now has 537 career touchdown passes, two shy of Peyton Manning’s NFL record. Top tight end Jared Cook left with a concussion following his second catch of the game and is listed as probable for Monday. Running back Alvin Kamara mustered just 25 yards rushing and 18 receiving versus San Francisco to fall short of 100 yards from scrimmage in two straight games and three in his last five. Michael Thomas made 11 catches for 134 yards last week to join Antonio Brown as the lone NFL players to have more than one season with 120-plus receptions and 1,400-plus receiving yards. New Orleans will close the season on the road – at Tennessee and at Carolina.
On paper, the Saints should win this game easily, but the Colts do play well against good teams. Indy is 11-2 ATS in its past 13 vs. teams with a winning record, while the Saints are 3-8 ATS in their past 11 at home. I think Brissett can play well enough to keep this one close.
Pick: Colts +9 (More Week 15 Free Picks)
Colts are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Colts are 2-0-2 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
Colts are 11-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Colts are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Colts are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
Colts are 3-1-2 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog.
Colts are 6-2-2 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Colts are 5-2-2 ATS in their last 9 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Colts are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss.
Colts are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 Monday games.
Saints are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Saints are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Saints are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Saints are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
Saints are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Saints are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
Saints are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
Saints are 24-11 ATS in their last 35 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Saints are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games as a favorite.
Saints are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games on fieldturf.
Saints are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games.
Saints are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Saints are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite.
Saints are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Monday games.
Saints are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in December.
Under is 4-0 in Colts last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 5-1 in Colts last 6 Monday games.
Under is 13-3 in Colts last 16 games in Week 15.
Under is 13-3 in Colts last 16 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 23-9 in Colts last 32 games in December.
Over is 5-2 in Colts last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 12-5 in Colts last 17 games as a road underdog.
Under is 13-6 in Colts last 19 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 4-0 in Saints last 4 games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Saints last 7 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Saints last 6 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Saints last 6 Monday games.
Under is 10-2 in Saints last 12 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 4-1 in Saints last 5 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Saints last 5 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
Over is 10-3 in Saints last 13 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 22-7 in Saints last 29 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Saints last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
