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Predictions

Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts

By Bush StaffUpdated 6h ago·2 min read
Atlanta FalconsATL(0-1 PRE)
Indianapolis ColtsIND(0-0-1 PRE)
AT
1:00 PM ET
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FINAL
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Total
Falcons(0-1 PRE)
LWWWW
Colts(0-0-1 PRE)
LLLLL
Best BetColts -150

Indianapolis rolls out a plan it's already used once this preseason — Leonard opens, Richardson closes — while Atlanta is without both Penix and Tagovailoa for the entire game. That's a real gap in snap continuity at the sport's most important position for one afternoon. We're backing the Colts as the more prepared operation on this particular Saturday.

Falcons
  • 4-1 in the last 5 dating back to last season
  • Robinson, London, Pitts all full practice participants
  • Penix still rehabbing the knee, not full go
  • LB room down two IR players and a suspension
Colts
  • Keenan Allen debuted in practice, adds to WR room
  • Preseason opener ended in a disciplined tie, not a loss
  • 0-5 in the last 5, lost 5 straight
  • Starter Daniel Jones out all preseason on Achilles recovery

Riley Leonard gets the start for Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium, with Anthony Richardson stepping in for the second half — the same script Colts coach Shane Steichen used in the preseason opener, since Daniel Jones' recovery from a torn Achilles keeps him out of preseason snaps entirely. Atlanta counters without either of its top two options: Michael Penix Jr. remains out while he continues rehabbing the knee that's kept him out of full team drills, and Tua Tagovailoa is being held out of this one too, per the Falcons' own reporting. That leaves Cooper Rush and the rest of the room to soak up reps at 1:00 PM ET.

Both rosters spent the week trading practice reps in Indianapolis' joint sessions, which is usually where the real competitive snaps happen before a game like this turns into deep-roster evaluation. Atlanta's linebacker corps has taken the biggest hit from roster churn — Malik Verdon and Jalon Walker are both on injured reserve and James Pearce Jr. is serving a suspension — while the Colts are still sorting out their secondary with Charvarius Ward questionable and Cam Taylor-Britt suspended. None of that has moved the number much, with Indianapolis holding a short home favorite spread.

That stability makes some sense given how differently these two teams look away from the quarterback spot. The Colts brought in Keenan Allen, who made his first practice appearance with the club this week, giving Josh Downs a real complement even with Alec Pierce still out with an ankle injury. Atlanta, meanwhile, is fielding most of its actual difference-makers — Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts have all been full participants — even while the quarterback situation stays in flux.

Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
(0-1 PRE)
Aug 14Lvs BroncosPre7-27
Jan 4Wvs Saints19-17
Dec 30Wvs Rams27-24
Dec 21W@ Cardinals26-19
Dec 12W@ Buccaneers29-28
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
(0-0-1 PRE)
Aug 13L@ PatriotsPre13-13
Jan 4L@ Texans30-38
Dec 28Lvs Jaguars17-23
Dec 23Lvs 49ers27-48
Dec 14L@ Seahawks16-18

Atlanta's recent-form numbers are padded by a strong finish to last season and carry a lone blemish from last week's lopsided loss to Denver, a game the starters barely touched. Indianapolis' skid runs the other way — five straight results have gone against them, though the preseason tie with New England at least broke the string of standalone losses. Neither trend says much about Saturday specifically, since both benches will be stocked with players fighting for a roster spot rather than a division race.

Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
(6)
  • QuestionableMichael Penix Jr. (QB) — Penix said that he's meeting with his doctor Thursday to see where his left knee stands, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.08/20
  • OutDeAngelo Malone (LB) — The Falcons placed Malone (undisclosed) on the reserve/PUP list Tuesday, Will McFadden of the team's official site reports.08/04
  • SuspensionJames Pearce Jr. (LB) — reserve-sus08/19
  • Injured ReserveTrey Sermon (RB) — The Falcons placed Sermon (undisclosed) on injured reserve Wednesday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.08/19
  • Injured ReserveMalik Verdon (LB) — ir08/19
  • Injured ReserveJalon Walker (LB) — ir08/19
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
(9)
  • QuestionableTyler Warren (TE) — Warren (groin) is expected to miss about a week, but his status for Week 1 against the Ravens isn't in any danger, Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reports.08/20
  • QuestionableDJ Giddens (RB) — Giddens (hamstring) participated in Wednesday's practice, Nathan Brown of The Indianapolis Star reports.08/19
  • QuestionableCharvarius Ward (CB)
  • QuestionableAnthony Gould (WR)
  • QuestionableSean McKeon (TE)
  • OutAlec Pierce (WR) — Coach Shane Steichen told Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis on Wednesday that Pierce (ankle) is "in a great spot right now. ... Hopefully, we will have him back soon."08/19
  • SuspensionCam Taylor-Britt (CB) — reserve-sus08/19
  • Injured ReserveCarson Towt (TE) — ir08/19
  • Injured ReserveCameron Mitchell (CB) — ir08/19

For the guys actually on the field, this is as real as it gets — a bad half can end a camp battle, and a good one can lock up a depth-chart spot before final cuts. That's the stakes worth watching regardless of what the scoreboard says by the fourth quarter.

Sources

NFLAtlanta FalconsIndianapolis ColtsPolymarketKalshi