Week 17 Opponent Preview: Indianapolis Colts

The Giants and Colts have more of a history when it comes to the postseason than the regular season. But since the Colts are on the schedule, let's look at them.

 

The New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts don't see each other very often. In fact, their regular-season games are rather forgettable (if you're a Giants fan) for the most part.

But when it comes to the postseason, there is a rich history between the two clubs, and not just the fact that the Giants won their last Super Bowl championship playing on the Colts' home turf. That rich history stems back to the golden era of the game. 

The two teams met in the 1958 Championship game, which became the first NFL playoff game to be decided in sudden death overtime. The Colts topped the Giants 23-17, and the game, which was entertaining from start to finish, has become known in NFL lore as "The Greatest Game Ever Played." 

The two clubs met again in the NFL championship game the following year, a game that the Colts won 31-16. The Colts, who both times were based in Baltimore, jumped out to a 7-0 lead in that 1959 championship game and never looked back.

As for the regular-season games, the Colts have crushed the Giants 132-86 in their last four meetings.

Week 17:  New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts

Sunday, January 1, 2023, 1 p.m.*, CBS

Colts' 2021 Record

9-8, (.529), 2nd place, AFC South

Series History

The Giants and Colts have met 16 times in the regular season and twice in the postseason. New York trails in both, 10-6 in regular-season games and 2-0 in postseason games. The Colts have won the last four meetings against the Giants and were one of two teams that former quarterback Eli Manning was never able to defeat in his career (the Chargers being the other). 

That means the last Giants quarterback to win a game against the Colts was Kerry Collins, who led the Giants to a 44-27 triumph over the Colts on December 22, 2002, at the old RCA Dome.

Last Meeting

December 23, 2018: The Giants jumped out to a 14-point lead, but couldn't hold it, losing the game 28-27 when Colts quarterback Andrew Luck threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Chester Rogers with 55 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Colts outscored the Giants 21-10 in the second half of that game as they came roaring back from a 10-point halftime deficit. 

Colts Key Additions

Matt Ryan, QB (trade); Yannick Ngakoue, DE (trade); Stephon Gilmore, CB (FA); Matt Pryor, OL (re-signed); Mo Alie-Cox, TE (re-signed); Alec Pierce, WR (draft); Nick Cross, S (draft); Brandon Facyson, CB (FA)

Colts Key Losses

Carson Wentz, QB (trade); Eric Fisher, OT (FA); Mark Glowinski, G (FA); Jack Doyle, TE (retired); Rock Ya-Sin, CB (trade); Zach Pascal, WR (FA); Khari Willis, S (retired); Xavier Rhodes, CB (FA); Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE (FA)

Offseason Grade: A-

The Colts made significant upgrades at arguably the two most important positions; quarterback and edge rusher, while keeping much of their nucleus intact. Last year’s team looked like it could’ve beaten anyone in the NFL but one of its biggest issues was erratic quarterback play. 

Ryan should bring the stability, accountability and leadership the Colts are looking for. As for edge rusher, Ngakoue has been one of the NFL’s most consistent pass rushers throughout his career, never recording fewer than 44 total pressures (per PFF). 

The addition of Gilmore also represents an upgrade to the secondary. The Colts wisely moved on from Wentz and Fisher. However, not signing proven players at left tackle or wide receiver keeps them from receiving an even higher grade. — Chad Jensen, Horseshoe Huddle

Biggest Unanswered Question  

The biggest mystery on the Colts roster is the pass catchers, both wide receivers and tight ends. The Colts elected not to sign established outside veterans in these spots, rather relying on the young players already on the roster and fortifying the group with explosive young talent through the draft. 

Still, behind top wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and tight end Mo Alie-Cox, none of the key players expected to contribute in 2022 had more than 13 receptions in 2021. The Colts will also rely heavily on running backs Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines in the passing game, lessening the urgency at receiver and tight end, but proven depth is still lacking at those positions. Will a couple of players rise to the occasion in camp as the Colts expect? — Chad Jensen, Horseshoe Huddle

Fantasy Fact

During Ryan’s 14 years in Atlanta, the Falcons had 16 instances of wide receivers scoring 200-plus fantasy points. That includes Julio Jones and Roddy White, who each had at least one season with more than 300 points. That’s positive news for Pittman Jr., who had a near 26 percent target share in the Colts offense last season. — Michael Fabiano

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