Los Angeles Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts Week 16: The Colts’ Defense Let Them Down Last Week

• LA Chargers PK Cam Dicker ‘the Kicker’ hit a 43-yard field goal to win their 8th game

• Here’s yet another chance for the 4-9-1 Indianapolis Colts to play as spoilers

• Watch Chargers vs Colts live on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN

Chargers vs Colts Week 16 Odds

Chargers vs Colts Week 16 Picks

POINT SPREAD: Indianapolis Colts +4.5 (-110) at BetMGM

POINTS TOTAL: Under 45.5 (-112) at BetRivers

PLAYER PARLAY: M. Williams 1+ Rec TD + K. Allen 1+ Rec TD (+350) at DraftKings

POINT SPREAD: Indianapolis Colts +4.5 (-110) at BetMGM

The last game of the NFL’s Christmas Week 16 is a Monday Night Football interdivisional AFC matchup between the 8-6 Los Angeles Chargers and the 4-9 Indianapolis Colts, these Chargers on a two-game winning streak and currently in control of the sixth playoff seed, while the Colts are coming off a catastrophic meltdown in Week 15 where they allowed the Vikings to win in OT after leading them 33-0 at the half.

It was a treat to watch Chargers QB Justin Herbert march his offense down the field last week in order to put Cam Dicker “the Kicker” in a position to kick the game-winner, two clutch players that have kept Los Angeles in the playoff hunt hoping to avoid a trap game against the almost eliminated Colts whose interim HC Jeff Saturday has struggled during certain critical moments in games.

Here are some discouraging numbers from the sportsbooks if you are an Indy Colts fans since that team has lost seven of their last eight games has failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as home underdogs against AFC opponents, but when given that many points at home during a purely emotional matchup, expect Indianapolis to at least cover the spread.

POINTS TOTAL: Under 45.5 (-112) at BetRivers 

When it comes to playmaker targets, the Los Angeles Chargers have some excellent (and relatively healthy) ones including WRs Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Joshua Palmer, and TE Gerald Everett plus RB Austin Ekeler, all part of a top-12 offense that keeps getting better as players heal up and connections gel, this week facing the Colts’ hungry 12th ranked defense.

Here is a stat that the oddsmakers have put out - five of the Colts' last six Monday games have gone over the total points line but given the likelihood that there will be some significant December Indiana weather factors involved, we like this game to go under what the sportsbooks predict, that cold whipping wind (and maybe even snow?) making it near impossible to throw deep.

The Colts’ defense let them down last week when they allowed the Vikings to get back in the game for the eventual win, but right now two of their cornerbacks are listed as questionable to play – Brandon Facyson (illness) and Kenny Moore (ankle) – and safety Armani Watts (ankle) is on IR, these last two weeks become a showcase for bench players who are ready to step up.

PLAYER PARLAY: M. Williams 1+ Rec TD + K. Allen 1+ Rec TD (+350) at DraftKings 

Here is an exciting Week 16 Player Parlay from DraftKings that might appeal to fans of the Los Angeles Chargers passing attack, the wager being to guess whether WRs Mike Williams and Keenan Allen can each post a receiving touchdown during the game, a challenging get since Colts DC Gus Bradley will no doubt be game planning multiple ways to neutralize both players.

This season, Allen has missed playing time due to injuries and has caught TD passes in just two of his games – Week 12 and Week 13 – while Williams has caught four TD passes this year in Weeks 2, 3, 7, and 14, and those don’t overlap so for this parlay to pay out, this combo would have to happen for the first time this season, that against the Colts’ top-10 passing defense.

Another thing to consider while placing this player parlay is the third link to its success – Chargers QB Justin Herbert must have a good game for this to pay out, the third-year player having a solid season completing 67.5% of his passes for over 4,000 yards and 21 TDs with just 9 INTs, an effective pass thrower who could light up the Colts on his way to leading his team to the postseason.

How to Watch Chargers vs Colts

• What: Los Angeles Chargers vs Indianapolis Colts

• Where: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN

• When: Monday, December 26, 2022, at 8:15 PM ET

• How: ESPN