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Giants aim to break 10-game losing streak and eliminate Colts from playoff contention.

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Giants aim to break 10-game losing streak and eliminate Colts from playoff contention.

Indianapolis Colts (7-8) vs. New York Giants (2-13)
Date: Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox.
BetMGM NFL Odds: Colts favored by 7.5 points.
Against the spread: Colts (9-6); Giants (4-11).
All-time Series: Colts lead 12-7.
Previous Encounter: Giants triumphed over the Colts 38-10 on January 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, NJ.
Recent Performance: The Colts secured a victory against the Titans, winning 38-30, while the Giants faced a loss against the Falcons, finishing 34-7.
Statistical Overview: Colts rank (21) overall, (8) in rushing, (28) in passing, and (21) in scoring. Their defense ranks (29) overall, (28) in rushing, (24) in passing, and (23) in scoring.
Conversely, the Giants rank (32) overall, (22) in rushing, (29) in passing, and (32) in scoring, with a defense ranking (22) overall, (31) in rushing, (7) in passing, and (25) in scoring.
Turnover differences show the Colts at minus-2 and the Giants lagging at minus-10.

**Player to Watch – Colts:**
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has been impressive, recording a tackle for loss in five consecutive games along with a pass defended against the Titans. He has recorded sacks in three out of the last four matches and stands as one of three players to notch seven or more sacks in each of the last six seasons. The Giants have been quite vulnerable, allowing 18 sacks over their last five contests.

**Player to Watch – Giants:**
Wide receiver Malik Nabers has set a new team record with 97 receptions, surpassing the previous record of 91, established by Odell Beckham in 2014 and matched by Saquon Barkley in 2018. To secure his place in history, he needs just three catches in the final two games to join the exclusive group of five rookie players in the NFL with at least 100 receptions. Last season, Rams’ Puka Nacua set the rookie benchmark with 105 catches, with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers also vying to break it, currently sitting at 101.

**Key Matchup:**
The Colts broke a franchise record by rushing for an astounding 335 yards in their game against the Titans. It is expected that they will continue to focus on their ground game. Despite the losses of tackle Dexter Lawrence and linebacker Bobby Okereke due to season-ending injuries, the Giants’ run defense has shown improvement with the contributions of Elijah Chatman, Jordon Riley, and Elijah Garcia. They managed to limit Derrick Henry of the Ravens to only 67 yards a fortnight ago and held Bijan Robinson of the Falcons to 94 yards last weekend.

**Injury Reports:**
For the Colts, quarterback Anthony Richardson (back, foot), guard Quenton Nelson (ankle), linebacker E.J. Speed (knee), and tight end Mo Alie-Cox (toe) missed practice towards the end of the week, with Richardson notably listed as questionable.
On the Giants’ side, linebacker Micah McFadden (neck), center John Michael Schmitz (ankle), cornerback Greg Stroman (shin-shoulder), and safety Raheem Layne (knee) are confirmed to be out. Malik Nabers (toe) also missed the first two days of practice but has a history of playing through injuries.

**Series History:**
Previously, the Colts had an impressive streak of four consecutive wins before the Giants ended it during the 2022 season. In playoff matchups, the Colts have been victorious in both previous encounters, with the most iconic showdown being the 1958 championship game in which the Colts claimed a 23-17 victory in overtime, marking the first NFL title game decided in this manner. The franchise transitioned from Baltimore to Indianapolis in March 1984.

**Statistical Insights:**
The Colts have alternated wins and losses over their last five games. This season, they have achieved a 3-5 record on the road, heading into their last away matchup. Anthony Richardson recently set a franchise record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season (six) and is on the verge of surpassing Jacoby Brissett’s career total (11). Jonathan Taylor’s six games with 100 yards rushing this season put him in a strong position, with only three players achieving more this year. He’s also second in franchise history for total touchdowns through a player’s first five seasons, only trailing Hall of Fame running back Lenny Moore. The Colts’ defense has been effective, allowing just 48 plays of 20+ yards, one of the lowest figures in the NFL, and they have allowed the fewest points (12) on opening drives this season.
For the Giants, they are experiencing a challenging season with a franchise-record 10 consecutive losses and are winless at MetLife Stadium this year. Their only previous winless home season was back in 1974, while they played at the Yale Bowl during the construction of Giants Stadium. Running back Tyrone Tracy recently secured his first touchdown, complementing his five rushing touchdowns. With 97 receptions, Nabers is performing at a high level; he and Tracy could become the third set of rookie teammates in the NFL to each surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage, needing respectively 16 and 29 yards to do so. Wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is also having a standout year with 78 receptions. Notably, outside linebacker Brian Burns has claimed sacks in his last two home matches, and inside linebacker Darius Muasau led the Giants with 11 tackles last Sunday. Safety Dane Belton has consistently contributed with at least five tackles in three consecutive games.

**Fantasy Insight:**
Jonathan Taylor could be a significant asset yet again after being awarded the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for an impressive 218 yards and three touchdowns last week against the Titans. Over the last three games, he has carried the ball 76 times for 421 yards and has returned to form with his first 1,000-yard season since capturing the rushing title in 2021. The Giants’ defense, currently ranked near the bottom in run-stopping efficiency, may struggle to contain him.