Game-by-game predictions for the rest of the Colts season after the Bye Week
By John Makuch
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Week 17 vs. Raiders- W
The Raiders have been a very entertaining story with new head coach Antonio Pierce, but the Colts have a much stronger squad and the defense should have a field day here. This Las Vegas team has been feisty and playing with a new hunger though, so this will not be an easy game by any stretch of the imagination. Raider fans also travel well, so Lucas Oil may just be filled with a bit more black and silver than you might think.
Unlike some teams in the league, the Colts will still very much have a home game here though, and the Raiders will have to play in that hostile environment. The solution in this game is a lot easier said than done, but it is simple, stop Maxx Crosby.
Well, you cannot truly stop him, but this offensive line will have to slow him down as much as possible. He is a game wrecker who will keep the Raiders in just about every game, the Colts' offensive line will have to have one of their better games this year if they want to come out with a victory.
The Colts outclass Las Vegas in just about every other category though, so if things go right this should be a win without much worry. These two teams met last year in the only win of the Jeff Saturday era, so the Raiders may have some fuel to their fire as well.
After this though, the Colts would be a nine-win team against a squad in their division that could be in a very similar situation as Indianapolis. While this may not be a game for the division title, it could be a classic win-or-go-home game that sets the tone for this rivalry for years to come.
Colts record: 9-7