Awaiting the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11 are the New York Jets–a matchup between two struggling teams right now.
The Colts will enter Sunday’s game at 4-6 and in the midst of a three-game losing streak. The Jets, meanwhile, are 3-7 and having lost six of their last seven games.
However, each team is still clinging to some playoff hopes believe it or not. Currently, the final wildcard spot in the AFC belongs to the 5-5 Denver Broncos, meaning that with seven games to play, the Colts are only one game back and the Jets just two games out.
Despite the Colts recent results, the defense has fared well over the last month and done so against some good opponents. The offense, however, is in need of a massive spark, which the team is hoping Anthony Richardson can provide.
Will the play of the Colts’ defense coupled with the return of Richardson be enough to help Indianapolis secure a win over the Jets? Let’s see who the experts are picking in this game.
ESPN
Two of ESPN’s three staff members who are making predictions are picking the Colts to win this game. ESPN’s FPI predicition model, which runs countless simulations, has the Jets winning this game 59.2 percent of the time by an average margin of victory of 3.7 points.
NFL.com
The NFL network crew is going in a different direction in this one, with four of the five staff members taking the Jets to win this game. In short, Brooke Cersosimo ultimately chose the Jets because the unit that she trusts the most in this game is the New York defense.
Bleacher Report
A close call in this one. Five are going with the Jets and three are picking the Colts. Brent Sobleski, who picked the Jets, notes the uncertainty that still remains with the Colts’ offense, even with Richardson back in the mix, and that while the Indianapolis defense is keeping games within reach for their offense, they’re giving up a lot of yards, which he thinks Aaron Rodgers can take advantage of in a matchup that “won’t be pretty.”
CBS Sports
Pete Prisco is picking the Jets to win 23-17. Prisco notes that one more loss will basically end the Jets season, but they show “some fight” against the Colts to stay alive in the AFC.
Pro Football Talk
Mike Florio is picking the Jets to win by a touchdown, while Chris Simms believe the Colts win by three. Basically the pick here came down to how Florio and Simms believe the return of Richardson to the starting lineup will impact things. Florio is 105-47 in picking games this season and Simms is 98-54.
Sports Illustrated
It’s a draw for the Monday Morning Quarterback crew. Three of the staff members are picking the Colts and three are picking the Jets. This is a very difficult game to predict, given the current trajectory of each team.
