Following a loss to the Green Bay Packers that dropped the Colts to an 0-2 start, Indianapolis is back at home Sunday to take on the Chicago Bears.
Although we are still in the early portion of what is a long NFL season with ebbs-and-flows for every team, recent history suggests that this is a must-win game for the Colts if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
So, can they get their first win of the season against a 1-1 Bears team? Let’s see what the experts have to say:
ESPN
Between the three ESPN staff members making predictions, two of the picked the Colts and one the Bears to win this game. ESPN’s Football Power Index model also projected the Colts to win 52.7 percent of the time and by an average margin of victory of 1.1 points.
Bleacher Report
Out of the eight members of the Bleacher Report staff, six picked the Bears to win this game. Ultimately, the Colts’ porous run defense, along with not having DeForest Buckner will be too much for them to overcome once again.
Pro Football Talk
Both Mike Florio and Chris Simms picked the Colts in this one. In short, neither has confidence in the Bears offense right now. On the ground, the Bears rank 29th at 3.5 yards per rush and last in passing yards per game with 99.0.
NFL.com
The NFL.com staff had three members pick the Bears and two who picked the Colts to win this one. Dan Parr was one who chose the Bears, mentioning the Colts issues against the run.
The Athletic
There were 10 members of The Athletic’s football staff that made picks, and in fitting fashion, five picked the Bears and five picked the Colts. That seems to be the general consensus overall with many of these predictions. As has already been mentioned, the winner of the matchup between the Colts’ defensive line and the Bears offensive line may ultimately determine the winner of the game.
