Colts vs. Saints Week 8 Preview

The Indianapolis Colts (3-4) are hosting the New Orleans Saints (3-4) for their Week 8 matchup this week.  Both will look to battle their way back to .500 this season with eyes on the post season.  Weather: The forecast for kickoff at 1 p.m. EST in Indianapolis, Indiana, is set to be 52°. Rain is […]

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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The Indianapolis Colts (3-4) are hosting the New Orleans Saints (3-4) for their Week 8 matchup this week. 

Both will look to battle their way back to .500 this season with eyes on the post season. 

Weather:

The forecast for kickoff at 1 p.m. EST in Indianapolis, Indiana, is set to be 52°. Rain is on the forecast for Sunday morning, with the chance of rain again around 3 p.m. EST, so I'd assume we see the roof closed for this one. 

Vegas Spreads:

Draft Kings: Saints -2
FanDuel: Saints -2 
Caesars: Saints -2
BetMGM: Saints -1.5
PointsBet: Saints -2

Saints: 

The Saints are 3-4 entering Week 8 and are currently on a two-game losing streak. Their offense has struggled as of late and will be looking to get back on track as they still find themselves very much in the race for the top spot in the NFC South. The Saints came in at 21st on A to Z Sports' Week 8 NFL Power Rankings. According to Pro Football Focus, the Saints have graded out as the 24th-best offense and the 5th-best defense. 

Colts:

The Colts are also 3-4 entering Week 8, and also are currently on a two-game losing streak. While they've had to battle through multiple injuries this season, they have scored the fifth most points in the NFL this season. The Colts came in at 19th on A to Z Sports' Week 8 NFL Power Rankings. According to Pro Football Focus, the Colts have graded out as the 25th-best offense and the 21st-best defense.

Opponent Player Spotlight of the Week:

Chris Olave

Chris Olave had an eventful week, to say the least, but the talent of this young WR is undeniable. He can turn a short completion into a big play and can take over a game in the blink of an eye. With the Colts already shaky secondary being banged up, it could be a big week for Olave and the Saints offense that desperately needs to find their rhythm this season. 

Colts Player Spotlight of the Week:

Kenny Moore II

With the Colts corner room being banged up, many wondered if the Colts would alter Kenny Moore II's role in Week 8. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley seemed to shut down those questions this week, though, as he sees Moore II's ability in the slot as too valuable to lose. Moore II could be matched up with Olave quite a bit this week, and after a rough season last year, we've seen quite the bounce back for the corner. He's looked very similar to the player we saw two years ago when he was named to his first Pro Bowl. While the Colts corner room has multiple questions surrounding it, Kenny Moore II is certainly not one. 

My Predictions:

Prediction: Josh Downs finds the endzone for a third straight week

The Josh Downs breakout has been quite the development for the Colts offense. He has scored a touchdown in the past two games after not finding the endzone during the first five weeks of the season. I think he will continue that success this week and score his third touchdown of his rookie season. 

Prediction: Rookie Jaylon Jones gets his first interceptions

With rookie Juju Brens set to miss this game, fellow rookie Jaylon Jones will be elevated to the team's top boundary corner this week. So far, teams haven't tested Jones much through the first seven weeks of the season. But I think with this added responsibility will come a big reward for Jones, as I think he gets his first career interception this week. 

Score Prediction: Colts win 30-24

This needs to be a get-right game for the Colts after dropping two straight. They are going up against an offense that has struggled to find any consistency so far this season with their new QB, Derek Carr, at the helm. We saw the Colts offense play some of their best football of the season last week against one of the best defenses in the NFL (Cleveland Browns), and I think Shane Steichen and Co. have another impressive game in store for us. 

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