ShoeStats: Week 16 vs. New York Football Giants

December 23, 2018

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USATSI_9658844-1024x697 — Nov 6, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) high fives center Ryan Kelly (78) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

ShoeStats: Week 16

Playoffs?! Talking about…playoffs?! Yes, its true, the Colts are actually on the cusp of a playoff run that even the most optimistic fan didn’t predict just a few weeks ago. Sunday they host the New York Football Giants featuring Saquon Barkley in Indy. Here we will look into the key stats and numbers heading into the game.

1. First

Nov 6, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) high fives center Ryan Kelly (78) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

This is a nice statistic to talk about; the Colts are the best in avoiding sacks in 2018. Indy is tied for first in total sacks with New Orleans at 16 and is first by a long shot at 2.8% sack rate. Chris Ballard vowed to fix the trenches, and it’s safe to say he’s made enormous leaps in that regard.

2. 69

Sep 9, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates his touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars with offensive tackle Nate Solder (76) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The touchdown was the first of his NFL career. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants are having a poor season, but their offense still can explode in a blink of an eye. Pat Shurmur’s offense will be the second best big-play offense the Colts will have faced this season, with 69 “splash plays” (runs 15+/pass 20+). The Colts defense is one of the best in limiting these plays, so its the battle of strengths in Sunday’s matchup.

3. 45.6%

The Colts can neither clinch or be eliminated from playoff contention after Sunday’s game. Football Outsiders has Indy as the highest nondivision leader to make the playoffs, over Baltimore and Tennessee. The Colts need a Ravens or Steelers loss in one of the last two weeks and a win in week 17 at Tennessee. However, losing this game would mean the Colts need even more help to make the playoffs, so root hard for New Orleans and LA!

The Colts should win Sunday, period. The Giants will be without Odell Beckham jr., Russell Shepard, and Alec Ogletree. They are also eliminated from playoff contention and on the road. This could be a definition of a trap game, but I think the Colts had that moment in Jacksonville. Frank Reich will have this team ready to play, and although the Colts are banged up themselves, they are the better team and should win handily.

Article by Maxx Hotton

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