Kickoff: Sunday, December 18th at 8:2 PM ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN
Betting Odds: NE, -2.5, 43.5 Total on Oddsshark
Network: NFL Network
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Mac Jones (Start, QB2)
Mac Jones on the #Patriots injury report with a left thumb. At practice today with a new look – a glove on his left hand. Damien Harris at the media portion of practice, dealing with a hamstring. pic.twitter.com/hMKNIMcN15
— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) December 15, 2021
Mac Jones put together his second 300-yard game in Week 12 against the Titans, putting up a QB7 performance. Now minus that ever-so-intensive performance in Week 13, Jones has been consistent this season. He’s a floor QB, someone who will give you 10-15 fantasy points, and if you get 20 your ecstatic. I think this is a great matchup for Jones to showcase what he can do, they are playing in Indy so it’ll be ideal conditions for him to sling the ball around. Look for Jones to be a excellent QB2/Superflex start this week.
Running Backs
Damien Harris (Start, RB2), Rhamondre Stevenson (Flex), Brandon Bolden (sit)
Patriots RBs pulling for one another:
As Damien Harris crosses the goal-line on his TD, check out the top of the screen. That is Brandon Bolden, in full sprint, racing down the bench-area/sideline so he can be there to celebrate with Harris in the end zone. pic.twitter.com/LijzReKnHL
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 7, 2021
Damien Harris was awesome against the Bills in Week 13. This is an interesting matchup as the Colts have been one of the best teams against the run. Allowing the ninth fewest yards (1,053), fourth-fewest TDs (7), and eighth fewest fantasy points (16.1/game). Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden have upside in this game, depending on who gets the receiving touches. I’m predicting that Harris pulls out an RB2 performance with a TD, Stevenson should be a solid flex play and I think I’d keep Bolden on the bench.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Jakobi Meyers (Start, WR3/flex), Kendrick Bourne (Start, WR3/Flex), Jonnu Smith (Sit), Hunter Henry (Start)
Jonnu Smith just made this unbelievable catch on Mac Jones' first pass of the night pic.twitter.com/zaaFoniYmu
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) December 7, 2021
Jakobi Meyers minus last week’s game against the Bills, Meyers has averaged six targets in the past three games including a five-catch 98-yard performance against the Titans in Week 12. He’s not going to be a WR2 option unless he scores, but should easily be a WR3/flex option this week. Kendrick Bourne has had some big performances this season including a five-catch for 51 yards and two TD games in Week 12. Bourne has had multiple WR2 weeks and has been rather impressive this year. He’s, unfortunately, boom/bust in this game, I think he booms and produces as a WR3/flex. Both Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry have been ineffective in the past couple of weeks, as far as recency goes, Smith has had a better game in the past two weeks, but Henry has had the better season as far as scoring. The only one I’m starting is Henry, that’s because he’s been the TD guy this year, but either one could flop. Henry is a TE1 if he scores, Smith is a sit.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Carson Wentz (Start, QB2)
Going over the Colts v Texans film for Wentzday and Carson Wentz showed great ball placement on Sunday. Here’s a great example where it’s a tough catch for Hines, but in a spot over the defender’s head where Hines can still get YAC. pic.twitter.com/bwillOTGLI
— Andrew Moore (@AndrewMooreNFL) December 7, 2021
Carson Wentz has been really solid this year as the Colts quarterback. He’s stepped up when needed and has been for the most part been better than his Philly days. One thing we know about Indy’s offense is it runs through Jonathan Taylor, so if we see a back and forth and the Pats can stop Taylor here and there then we’ll probably get to see Wentz sling it around. I expect this game to be very close and I think the Colls will need all their guys to step up in this game. If I were to guess I think Wentz puts up QB2 numbers with the potential for QB1 numbers.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor (Start, RB1)
#Colts RB Jonathan Taylor is tied for the third-fastest player to reach 30 TDs in the Super Bowl era.#ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/Lo2V9UED1G
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 10, 2021
Jonathan Taylor has been playing MVP ball this year and is keeping the Colts above water this year. This has been an excellent breakout season for the former Heisman finalist. While the Pats have been good at keeping running backs out of the endzone, allowing the fewest TDs (3), Taylor is just a different animal. Having his best game a couple of weeks ago against one of the best run defenses in the Buffalo Bills, going for 204 total scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns. If you have Taylor you play him every week no questions asked, he’s an RB1 in this game.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Michael Pittman (Start, WR2), Ty Hilton (Sit), Jack Doyle (Sit)
How are we feeling Michael Pittman Jr. managers 😏 pic.twitter.com/MudkQHL6yC
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) October 31, 2021
Michael Pittman has been really underrated this year having some of his best games this year when the Colts needed him to step up. Pittman has had 18 targets in the past two weeks and this game has a sense of urgency to it as the Colts are needing wins to solidify a playoff spot. Look for Pittman to be a solid WR2 against the Pats. TY Hilton is still a starting wide receiver but has averaged three targets a game over the last three games. He’s not someone I’m interested in this week as he’ll draw the tough matchup of J.C. Jackson. Jack Doyle has been up and down this year, but regardless the Patriots are one of the best teams against the tight end position. Allowing the fewest yards (368), third-fewest TDs (3), and fourth-fewest fantasy points. Doyle is a sit for me in this game.