Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots: 4 bold predictions for Week 10
Week 10 for the Indianapolis Colts will see them facing off against the New England Patriots in Germany. This will be the second game that Frankfurt, Germany will be hosting, and while it may not appear to be the most exciting, there will certainly be some fireworks. It will also see a homecoming of sorts for one horseshoe player.
According to some whispers in the NFL, this could also be the last game Bill Belichick coaches for New England, depending on the outcome. And considering he’s 2-7 in games over in Europe, there’s a strong possibility that flight home could be his last with the franchise. As for the other team, the Colts just snapped their three-game losing streak by beating Carolina. If they beat New England they’ll be back to .500 heading into their bye week.
They’re currently third in the AFC South and just a few games behind Cincinnati for the final wild card spot. Looking at their remaining schedule, they are only facing off against two teams currently set to make the playoffs, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. So, despite all the turmoil that has faced the Colts and their first-year head coach, they could make the playoffs for the third time in the Chris Ballard era.
Here are four bold predictions for the Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots Week 10 matchup.
Related: NFL games today: Patriots vs. Colts kicks off Week 10 NFL schedule for Sunday
Mac Jones passes for 300 yards, three touchdowns, and no turnovers
Mac Jones has been under a lot of scrutiny since his rookie season, when he was selected to the Pro Bowl. It’s been deserved, even if it’s not entirely his fault. New England did decide to have a defensive coordinator call the offense for him last season. But Jones also has very few, if any, strong outside wide receivers for him to throw to.
e’s currently on pace to have the second-best season of his career. But in this game, where he’ll be facing off against the 29th overall-ranked defense and the 27th-ranked pass defense, he’ll be able to have his best game of the season. He’s only had two games where he’s passed for more than 270 yards, three games where’s passed for multiple touchdowns, and just two games where he’s had zero turnovers. This week will see him pass for 300 yards, three touchdowns, and not turn the ball over once.
Related: See where Mac Jones and Gardner Minshew land in Sportsnaut’s NFL QB rankings
New England’s defense eliminates Colts’ tight ends
Indianapolis’ tight ends this season have offered little production. It’s an area where this offense could sorely use more production. Last season in Philadelphia, Dallas Goedert received 69 targets, 55 receptions, 702 yards, 58.5 yards per game, and three touchdowns. For comparison, the Colts’ tight ends combined have produced the following.
- 59 Tgt, 33 Rec, 411 Yds, 45.7 Y/G, 4 TD
This week doesn’t shape up to be any better for them. New England has been one of the better teams against opposing tight ends.
- 23rd in targets
- 20th in catches
- 19th in yards
- Tied for 25th in touchdowns
And with the Colts’ second-best tight end statistically speaking already ruled out, Andrew Ogletree, it will just add more pressure to the rest of the team’s tight ends.
Gardner Minshew has zero turnovers
Gardner Minshew’s career high in turnovers is 18 which happened back in 2019 when he started 12 games. For some context, he currently has 10 turnovers already in just five starts. In three of his starts this season, he’s had at least one turnover or less, and in those games, the Colts are 2-1.
New England ranks 26th in the NFL in turnovers with just nine. If Minshew is to not exceed his career 18 turnovers then he’s going to need to start stringing some turnover-free games together. It’s possible he could still tie his career mark. However, last week, he had his first turnover-free game. And this week he extends that to a two-game streak.
Related: Week 10 fantasy rankings: Best, QB, RB, WR and TEs to start, sit
Michael Pittman Jr. has 10 catches, 100 yards, and a touchdown
Michael Pittman Jr. is on pace to have the best season of his young career. Last season he set a career-high in receptions with 99 and a career-low in yards per reception, 9.3. Currently, his yards per game are at a career-high, 65.9.
- 86 Tgt, 59 Rec, 593 Yds, three TD
As long as he keeps up his current pace he’ll finish the career highs in almost every category this season.
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