American Football
NFL preview: Colts clash with Cardinals in Christmas playoff battle
Week 16 of the NFL features a festive four-day line-up on Christmas weekend and with just three weeks of the regular season remaining, the playoff race is heating up.
We’ve previewed the key matches below.
Indianapolis Colts @ Arizona Cardinals
This match-up pits together two teams who are heading in different trajectories. The Colts are coming off a huge win over one of their AFC rivals, while the Detroit Lions humiliated the Cardinals.
The concern for the Cardinals is that they just allowed the Lions’ third choice running back Craig Reynolds to run for 112 yards, and now have to deal with the prowess of Jonathan Taylor. The star running back averages 20.5 carries on the road, where the Colts are 4-2.
Kyler Murray will make some dazzling plays against the Colts’ defence, but can the Cardinals slow down Taylor, a potential MVP winner? With the Cardinals having suffered four losses in their last seven, they are under a lot of pressure to right the ship.
Meanwhile, Carson Wentz and Indianapolis have won five of the last six and covered the spread in three of the last four. Both the Cardinals and Colts are 10/11 on the Money Line. The total for this game is 49 points, while both teams to score at least two touchdowns in the match is 10/29.
Los Angeles Rams @ Minnesota Vikings
The Rams have had a rollercoaster season but face a true test against another NFC playoff contender this week. The Vikings need to beat either the Rams or the Packers in the next two weeks to secure their playoff place, yet they’re not in the must-win territory because of the state of the NFC.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles might have figured out their problems at the perfect time. After losing three straight, they have averaged 33.5 points per game in the last two weeks and, amazingly, still have a chance to grab the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
The Vikings will test the Rams’ defence – which ranks 23rd in the league in pass defence – as wide receiver Justin Jefferson looks to continue his touchdown hot streak.
However, Matthew Stafford is 8-13-1 against the Vikings, and that was with Detroit. Stafford should have enough firepower with his new team and the likes of Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham Jr and Darrell Henderson to grab a close victory.
The Rams are 4/6 favourites on the Money Line and Evens to cover the spread. The Vikings, meanwhile, are 13/10 outsiders, with total points over 49.5 priced at 10/11.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs
These two teams haven’t met since 2018 and the Steelers are clinging on to their AFC North title hopes after two straight defeats, and now hit the road against the top seed in the AFC.
The Steelers have battled and shown resilience this season – in what is Ben Roethlisberger’s farewell campaign – and they could give themselves a shot at the upset.
Kansas City have simply been too good on both sides of the ball in recent weeks. Pittsburgh’s defence have allowed 143.9 rushing yards per game, but will the Chiefs stick with the running game around Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams?
You can never completely write the Steelers off, but it would be a shock if they keep this any closer than 7-10 points. As the 10/37 favourites, a Chiefs win seems very likely. Pittsburgh are 61/20 on the Money Line, while the total for this game is 44.5 points.
