It’s not that long ago that Colts vs Patriots was one of the most hotly anticipated games in the AFC schedule if not even the entire league. However, the days of showdowns between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are no more. Sam Ehlinger vs Mac Jones doesn’t stir up quite the same emotions, but someone will have to win when the teams meet in New England on Sunday. Our NFL expert has picks, predictions and best bets for the game.
Be sure not to miss any of our NFL picks for Week 9 — we’re 73-50-1 on spreads this season (+33.7 units!)
NFL Week 9 Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots prediction
The Colts have been a big disappointment this season after entering Week 1 expected to mount a strong playoff challenge. Veteran QB Matt Ryan did not prove the hoped-for success after arriving from Atlanta to replace Carson Wentz, and young QB Sam Ehlinger made his first start in the Colts’ 17-16 home loss to the Commanders. That dropped Indy to a mediocre 3-4-1 record and their 20-17 win over the Chiefs seems a long time ago.
The Patriots have been inconsistent, as their 4-4 record might suggest, and recent big wins over the Lions and Browns, and last week’s divisional success over the Jets, came either side of a horrible 33-14 loss to the Bears. Mac Jones is back at QB now after rookie Bailey Zappe created something of an unexpected quarterback controversy and our expert believes the clash with the Colts is set to be a real grind with both teams looking to run the ball as much as possible.