The Indianapolis Colts are in control of their fate regarding their hopes of punching their ticket to the 2023 playoffs.

This means every game remaining on their schedule has playoff implications, including their Week 16 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. 

Locked in on ATL. pic.twitter.com/W6ZhrEyJ5z

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 22, 2023

With the game around the corner, it seems time to release my thoughts on how this game will play out, with a bold prediction from both sides of the ball and my score prediction for the game. 

Defense Prediction: 

The Colts hold the Falcons out of the endzone

The Falcons are coming off a 9 to 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers. As a result, they have benched QB Desmond Ridder and will start Taylor Heinicke against the Colts this week. I believe the Colts defense will make a big statement this week and will hold the Falcons out of the endzone throughout the day. And it could just be the nail in Arthur Smith's coffin as the Falcons head coach.

Offense Prediction: 

Jonathan Taylor rushes for 100+ and a touchdown 

Star RB Jonathan Taylor finished a full week of practice and holds no designation entering this game. This means he is officially back after missing the previous three games with a thumb injury. The Falcons run defense has struggled as of late, as they've allowed over 120 rushing yards in back-to-back weeks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers. Both games would result in losses for the Falcons, and I think the Colts will attack that weakness this week. I believe Taylor will rush for over 100 yards and find the endzone in his first week back.

Score Prediction: 

Colts 27 – Falcons 6 

This week could be massive for the Colts playoff chances. For both the wildcard card race, and the AFC South. Both the Jaguars and Texans starting QBs remain in the NFL's concussion protocol at the time of this article being written. And if they both lose this week and the Colts win, they take sole possession of first place in the AFC South with just two weeks remaining. A reality that didn't seem possible after the Colts fell to 3-5 following their Week 8 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Since then, the Colts have won five of their last six and are in a three-way tie atop of the AFC South at 8-6. I think this motivation leads to a dominant win from the Colts over a struggling Falcons team. I think they hold them out of the endzone on the day and pull off a victory by at least three scores. 

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