Panthers (5-9) at Colts (6-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s by 61⁄2
Panthers’ keys to victory: Carolina will want to use RB Christian McCaffrey in all facets of the offense. The Colts’ defense has been strong against the run recently, but McCaffrey’s skill set is one it hasn’t seen yet this season. Rookie DEs Brian Burns and Mario Addison could find success working against Colts RT Braden Smith. LB Luke Kuechly and the Panthers’ front seven will need to prioritize stopping RB Marlon Mack.
Colts’ keys to victory: The offense must run through RB Mack, and QB Jacoby Brissett must be able to find a few big plays downfield, something he has struggled to do consistently this season. As Brissett leads the offense, he will need to get TE Jack Doyle and WR Zach Pascal involved in the passing game. Pascal has been enjoying a breakout season amid a rash of injuries to other wide receivers. DE Justin Houston, the Colts’ leader in sacks, must find ways to impact Panthers QB Kyle Allen.
Matchup to watch: Panthers RB McCaffrey vs. Colts LB Darius Leonard. An All-Pro linebacker squares off against one of the league’s best running backs. McCaffrey is going to find a certain amount of success, but Leonard can be the one to stop big runs downfield. The Colts have struggled to limit explosive plays in recent games, while McCaffrey’s season has been a highlight reel of big runs.
Who wins? The Colts will be at home, and despite recent struggles they will bounce back. The game is likely to be ugly, but Indianapolis has a lot more to play for at this point.
Colts, 22-19 line:
Colts
Panthers schedule
L ......... L.A. Rams ......... 30-27 L ........ Tampa Bay ........ 20-14 W ....... atArizona ....... 38-20 W ...... at Houston ...... 16-10 W ...... Jacksonville ...... 34-27 W . at Tampa (Ldn.) . 37-26
BYE
L .. at San Francisco .. 51-13 W ...... Tennessee ...... 30-20 L ..... at Green Bay ..... 24-16 L ............ Atlanta ............ 29-3 L ... at New Orleans ... 34-31 L ...... Washington ...... 29-21 L ........ at Atlanta ........ 40-20 L .......... Seattle .......... 30-24 Dec. 22 . at Indianapolis . 1 Dec. 29 ... New Orleans ... 1
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 L .... at New Orleans .... 34-7 Dec.22 ....... Carolina ....... 1 Dec. 29 . at Jacksonville . 1