The Indianapolis Colts travel to play the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 7, and the game was always going to be a tough one. That isn't to say Indy cannot win because it certainly can. LA is pretty good too, though.
But the Chargers got good news on Sunday as the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that elite edge rusher Khalil Mack will be activated from injured reserve and will play versus the Colts. Mack was hurt in Week 2 and has been unable to play since.
The edge rusher has had five double-digit sack seasons in his stellar career, and hasn't had a season with fewer than six since he was a rookie in 2014. He has just one so far in 2025, but has only appeared in two games, of course.
Indianapolis Colts will face Khalil Mack in Week 7 as he returns for the Los Angeles Chargers
Mack isn't just a pure pass rusher, though. He is just as good against the run, and this might be where he helps the Chargers' defense the most against the Colts. Indianapolis will obviously try to establish the run with Jonathan Taylor and allow quarterback Daniel Jones to work off of that.
It could be that Taylor is simply good enough to make any defense look silly, and the Indianapolis Colts do have a very good offensive line, but the Chargers defense matches up well against what Indy wants to do. Safety Derwin James provides elite coverage on tight ends, so Indianapolis rookie Tyler Warren might have the toughest challenge of his career so far.
One thing appears certain: The Colts' defense, which will be without cornerback Charvarius Ward for at least four games after he was placed on injured reserve due to his second concussion of the season, will have to be brilliant. LA is only 23rd in the NFL, averaging 21.2 points per game.
The Chargers are 12th in points allowed (20.8), but the Colts are even better so far, allowing just 19.3 points per game (4th in the NFL). Should Indianapolis move to 6-1 with a victory over Los Angeles, fans should expect the team to go 7-1 after Week 8. That is when Indy plays the terrible Tennessee Titans.