Colts (6-7) at Saints (10-3)
Monday, Orleans TV: ESPN Danny Sheridan’s line: by 8 ⁄2
1 Colts’ keys to victory: The 49ers proved in Week 14 that New Orleans could be outplayed on vertical passes, and the Colts need to follow that same game plan. But it’s going to be tough to do that with such a depleted receiving corps, especially if WR T.Y. Hilton can’t go. On defense, the Colts must continue taking advantage of their opponents’ mistakes. LB Darius Leonard had two interceptions in Week 14, returning one of them for a touchdown. The Colts will need every break to get an edge over the playoff-bound Saints.
Saints’ keys to victory: Getting back on track starts with stronger discipline on the back end. CB Eli Apple has to play more like his early-season self, and the Saints’ linebacker corps could really use a jolt of good health. They missed starters LB Kiko Alonso and LB A.J. Klein against San Francisco. Improved speed on the perimeter would do a lot to cure them. On offense, they need a good option opposite WR Michael Thomas. The Saints hoped that would be TE Jared Cook, but his status is up in the air with a concussion.
Matchup to watch: Colts’ offensive line vs. Saints’ defensive line. Indianapolis has built around a generational talent in LG Quenton Nelson, while the Saints have one of the best pass rushers in team history, DE Cameron Jordan, leading their line. This will be a matchup of strength on strength, with each squad fielding its deepest and most talented position groups against one another.
Who wins? The Saints can’t overlook the Colts, just like they were shocked by the Falcons a month ago.
Saints 30, Colts 21 8:15 pm ET, Superdome,
Mercedes-Benz New
Saints
Colts schedule
L . at L.A. Chargers . 30-24 W .... at Tennessee .... 19-17 W ......... Atlanta ......... 27-24 L ......... Oakland ......... 31-24 W ... at Kansas City ... 19-13
BYE
W ........ Houston ........ 30-23 W ......... Denver ......... 15-13 L .... atPittsburgh .... 26-24 L ........... Miami ........... 16-12 W .... Jacksonville .... 33-13 L ...... at Houston ...... 20-17 L ...... Tennessee ...... 31-17 L .... at Tampa Bay .... 38-35 Dec. 16 at New Orleans 8:15 Dec.22 ....... Carolina ....... 1 Dec. 29 . at Jacksonville . 1
Saints schedule
W ........ Houston ........ 30-28 L ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 27-9 W ....... at Seattle ....... 33-27 W .......... Dallas .......... 12-10 W ..... TampaBay ..... 31-24 W ... at Jacksonville ... 13-6 W ...... at Chicago ...... 36-25 W .......... Arizona .......... 31-9
BYE
L ........... Atlanta ........... 26-9 W ... at Tampa Bay ... 34-17 W ........ Carolina ........ 34-31 W ...... atAtlanta ...... 26-18 L .... San Francisco .... 48-46 Dec. 16 . Indianapolis . 8:15 Dec.22 ..atTennessee ..1 Dec. 29 .... at Carolina ..... 1