NFL Game Of The Week: Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals

The 8-6 Colts will travel to the desert to take on the 10-4 Cardinals in a Christmas day battle featuring two AFC teams that are poised to make deep playoff runs. The Cardinals have lost two straight, including an almost unthinkable 30-12 defeat at the hands of Detroit on Sunday, while the Colts have won four of their last five. 

Following a Week 5 loss to the Ravens the Colts were 1-4 and looked like one of the worst teams in the league. They've gone 7-2 since and have a shot to overtake Tennessee and win the AFC South. Colts QB Carson Wentz has completed 271 of 432 passes for 3,005 yards with 23 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Wentz's 3,005 passing yards have him at a pedestrian 19th amongst quarterbacks, but his 23 touchdowns are good for 10th. His six picks are among the lowest of QBs who have attempted at least 300 passes this season. 

Michael Pittman Jr. (68 REC, 889 YDS, 5 TDS) leads the Colts' receivers in yards and touchdown catches, and their ground attack features the NFL's leading rusher in Jonathan Taylor (270 ATT, 1,570 YDS, 17 TDS). The Colts are averaging 157 yards per game on the ground, second behind only Philadelphia.  Indianapolis is aveaging 204.4 yards per game though the air (22nd). 

Defensively, the Colts have improved after their 1-4 start. They are giving up an average of 234.1 yards per game through the air (15th) and 109.6 on the ground (14th). Linebacker Bobby Okreke has been a bright spot. The third-year player's 74 solo tackles lead the team and are good for tenth in the league.  Darius Leonard remains a formidable presence alongside Okreke, with 68 tackles and three interceptions. The Colts have 30 team sacks, tied for tenth in the league. 

Arizona's Kyler Murray has completed 252 of 361 passes for 3,039 yards and 20 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, leading a passing attack that is averaging 255.1 yards per game through the air (8th). Christian Kirk (62 REC, 812 YDS, 5 TDS) leads the team in receiving yards, while DeAndre Hopkins (42 REC, 572 YDS, 8 TDS) leads the team in touchdowns catches. Hopkins, who missed all of November with hamstring issues, returned in December, but injured his knee three games into the month. He will the on injured reserve for the remainder of the regular season, but team doctors say he could return if the team makes it into the NFC Championship game in January. 

Running back James Conner (187 ATT, 700 YDS, 14 TDS) leads the Cardinals in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Chase Edmonds (82 ATT, 483 YDS, 1 TD) has also helped balance an Arizona rushing attack that is averaging 121.3 yards per game on the ground )11th). Kyler Murray, though he has become more of a pocket passer this season, is always dangerous on the ground. The third-year quarterback has rushed for 270 yards and five touchdowns this season. 

Linebacker Jordan Hicks' 106tackles (70 solo) leads the Arizona defense. The Cardinals are giving up 112.8 yards per game on the ground (17th) and 210 yards per game through the air (5th). Cornerback Bryan Murphy Jr's four picks lead a Cardinals defense that is tied for seventh in the league with 12 interceptions on the season. Linebacker Chandler Jones' 9.5 sacks lead the team, and Arizona's 37 team sacks are tied for sixth in the league. 

Prediction

These are two evenly matched teams but Arizona's defense gets the edge and helps the Cardinals get the win at home. 

Cardinals 24-Colts 21



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