Chargers vs Colts Prediction & Picks (Week 16 Monday Night Football): Is another implosion incoming for Indy?

It has been a disastrous stretch for the Indianapolis Colts, who have lost four in a row and seven of eight, with the last two losses coming in especially humiliating fashion. Will there be any respite as they close out Week 16 with a Monday Night Football matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers (8:15 pm ET, ESPN)?

Allowing 54 points in a 35-point loss, as the Colts did against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13, would have been rock bottom in most instances.

But after a bye week, the Colts inexplicably found a way to upstage that by being on the painful end of the biggest comeback in NFL history, as they blew a 33-0 lead against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15.

It can’t possibly get any worse, right? That might be tempting fate, but there’s every chance that the Chargers decide to pick this week to finally explode on offense.

Will Indianapolis find a new low tonight? Find our Chargers vs Colts prediction below, as well as our Monday Night Football betting picks for tonight’s matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Monday, December 26, 2022, at 5:40 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Los Angeles Chargers -3.5 (-110)
• Indianapolis Colts +3.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 44.5 (-110)
• Under 44.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Los Angeles Chargers -198
• Indianapolis Colts +166

Will Increased Production Lead to Points for Herbert & the Chargers?

Among the list of major disappointments in the NFL this season is what the Chargers haven’t done on offense after much was expected of that unit entering the season.

Entering tonight’s game, they are 13th in the NFL in scoring (22.3 PPG) and only 10th in yards per game (357.9), and they have scored 25+ points just four times all season.

Injuries have been an issue, and the ground game is 31st in the league in both yards per carry (3.7) and yards per game (83.7).

But Justin Herbert hasn’t lived up to his billing as a top NFL MVP contender, even though he is closing in on a career high in completion percentage. Unless he strings together three big games, he will finish short of 30 touchdown passes for the first time as a pro.

But that big finish can’t be ruled out, with the Chargers facing the Colts, Rams (home), and Broncos (away) to close out the regular season.

And Herbert is heating up, at least in terms of yardage. He had only two 300-yard games in his first 11 games this season, and after throwing for 340 yards against the Houston Texans in Week 4, he went seven games without a 300-yard game.

But he has hit 300 yards in each of his last three games, and he will be going up against a defense that allowed 460 yards through the air in Minnesota’s historic win.

Last Three Games for Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert

• at Raiders (lost 27-20): 28 of 47, 335 yards, TD
• vs Dolphins (won 23-17): 39 of 51, 367 yards, TD
• vs Titans (won 17-14): 28 of 42, 313 yards, 2 INT

Herbert averaged seven yards per pass only four times in his first 11 games, including just once in the run of seven games without a 300-yard performance.

But he has averaged 7+ yards per pass in each of the last three games, and the defense he is facing tonight is 17th in the league in that category, allowing 7.0 yards per pass.

Passing Props for Justin Herbert

Odds are via Bovada Sportsbook.

Yards

• Over 281.5 (-117)
• Under 281.5 (-117)

Touchdowns

• Over 1.5 (-166)
• Under 1.5 (+120)

Completions

• Over 26.5 (-117)
• Under 26.5 (-117)

Attempts

• Over 37.5 (-125)
• Under 37.5 (-109)

If you think Herbert will have 200+ passing yards and the Chargers will win, you should hop on the boost that BetOnline is offering for that combo. Instead of -150 odds, you can grab it at +125.

There’s only so much you can put on boosted bets, but those are great odds for something that has an excellent chance of cashing.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts Prediction and Picks

Chargers vs Colts Prediction: Chargers to win

Chargers vs Colts Picks: Chargers to cover (Best Value: -3.5 @ -109 at BetUS) & Chargers team total over (Best Value: over 23.5 @ -118 at BetUS)

I like to consider myself an optimist, even when things are dire. But I can’t find anything to be optimistic about when it comes to the Colts here, other than the fact that the season will be over soon.

The Chargers have been meandering in mediocrity for much of the season, but there’s no excuse for a so-so show tonight in Indianapolis.