The Falcons finish up their scheduled home games of the regular season in Week 16 versus the Indianapolis Colts.
Atlanta (6-8) has fallen into a two-game skid, with consecutive losses against divisional opponents. Meanwhile, the Colts (8-6) have been peaking in the latter half of the season, winning five of their last six matchups.
This week, the Falcons made a shift at QB1 in naming Taylor Heinicke the starter ahead of a crucial battle to stay alive in playoff contention. Indianapolis, on the other hand, has been strictly riding with their backup Gardner Minshew since Week 5 after starter Anthony Richardson sustained a season-ending injury.
Minshew has thrown over 200 yards passing in the Colts' last four games but threw six interceptions in that span, including three alone in Week 15.
Last week, the experts unanimously picked the Falcons to win, but Atlanta fell short against the Panthers. Now, most have picked the Colts to come out on top on Christmas Eve. Check out the full predictions below:
| Author | Outlet | Pick |
|---|---|
| Jeremy Fowler | ESPN | Falcons |
| Kimberly Martin | ESPN | Colts |
| Lindsey Thiry | ESPN | Colts |
| Dan Parr | NFL.com | Colts |
| Tom Blair | NFL.com | Colts |
| Albert Breer | Sports Illustrated | Colts |
| Connor Orr | Sports Illustrated | Falcons |
| Gilbert Manzano | Sports Illustrated | Colts |
| Pete Prisco | CBS Sports | Falcons |
| Bill Bender | Sporting News | Colts |
For more complete picks, visit: ESPN, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News and NFL.com.
This Throwback Thursday, we're taking at look back at the Falcons vs Colts match-up through history.
Atlanta Falcons player #30 during the preseason game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on July 29, 2000. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Sunday September 22, 2019. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Elijah Williams #21 during the game in during the preseason game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on July 29, 2000. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 1998, file photo, Atlanta Falcons Jamal Anderson (32) jumps to a touchdown over fallen Indianapolis Colts Jeff Herrod (54) Michael Barber (53) and Larry Chester (64) during the first half in Atlanta. The Falcons are in rare territory, indeed. For only the eighth time in franchise's 51-season history, they are among the final eight teams in the NFL playoffs. Of course, the Falcons have never won a Super Bowl title, a burden that hangs over this year's high-scoring team heading into Saturday's divisional round game against the Seattle Seahawks. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Michael Booker #20 during the game in Atlanta against the Indianapolis Colts on December 6, 1998. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Tracey Eaton #32 during the game in Atlanta against the Indianapolis Colts on December 6, 1998. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Terry Cousin #24 during the preseason game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on July 29, 2000. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ed Jasper #95 during the game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on December 16, 2001. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Group Photo of the Atlanta Falcons during the game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on December 16, 2001. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Scott Case #25 during a game against Indianapolis Colts, 1989. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson #32 during the preseason game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on July 29, 2000. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 during the preseason game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on July 29, 2000. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Shawn Jefferson #84 during the game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on December 16, 2001. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Travis Hall #98 during the game in Atlanta against the Indianapolis Colts on December 6, 1998. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran #86 during the game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on December 16, 2001. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran #86 during the game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on December 16, 2001. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Shawn Jefferson #84 during the preseason game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on July 29, 2000. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons running back Maurice Smith #43 during the preseason game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on July 29, 2000. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 during the preseason game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on July 29, 2000. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Travis Claridge #71 during the preseason game in Indianapolis against the Indianapolis Colts on July 29, 2000. (Photo by Jimmy Cribb)
