((WATCH>>STREAMS!)) Colts vs Falcons Live Free Online Broadcast 24 December 2023
Colts vs Falcons FREE LIVE STREAM (12/24/2023): How to Watch NFL Week 16 Online, Time, TV, Channel. The Indianapolis Colts, led by quarterback Gardner Minshew, meet the Atlanta Falcons, led by quarterback Taylor Heinicke, in a regular season game on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga..
CLICK HERE TO WATCH NFL LIVE FREE ONLINE
Two teams in the playoff bubble look to keep their chances alive on Christmas Eve, as the Atlanta Falcons get set to host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The Colts have been able to battle through enough adversity that would have folded many teams around the league. Losing rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and star running back Jonathan Taylor, the team had every reason to pack it in.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NFL, Week 16
Who: Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons
When: Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
However, they have battled their way back into not just playoff contention, but a shot at a division title. 30 unanswered points last Sunday gave Indianapolis a 17-point over the Pittsburgh Steelers, making it five wins in the last six games for the Colts. Gardner Minshew has led a steady offense, as the team has scoring 30 or more points in two of their last three games. They are currently holding the last playoff spot in the AFC, thanks to a tiebreak, but are also tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars for first in the AFC South.
Do not let their record fool you, the Falcons also have a chance to win their division. After an embarrassing 9-7 loss to, of all teams, the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta is just one game back of first in the equally sad NFC South. Even though the Falcons have lost five of their last seven games, they are right behind the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but are also one game out of a Wild Card spot. However, if they cannot figure out their offensive troubles, Atlanta might as well get the golf clubs out ready.
The Colts are 15-2 against the Falcons dating back to their first meeting in 1966, including a 27-24 win in their last matchup in 2019.
Indianapolis has been one of the hottest teams in the NFL, winning five of their last six games and challenging Jacksonville for the AFC South crown. Gardner Minshew, who replaced Anthony Richardson after the rookie quarterback suffered a season-ending injury, is leading the charge, most recently throwing for 215 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-13 victory over the Steelers.
Running backs. While it’s unclear who will play this week, the Colts know Gardner Minshew plays far better when he has a strong ground game. It looks as if Jonathan Taylor is ready to go after missing three games with a right thumb injury.
But Zack Moss has a right arm injury and could sit out. If neither plays, former practice squad players Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson will see if they can replicate what they did last week - a combined 28 carries for 157 yards.
QB Taylor Heinicke will make his third start of the season after Desmond Ridder was benched for the second time. Heinicke has completed 41 of 74 passes for 498 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. The 30-year-old Heinicke will be asked to provide stability after Ridder threw 10 touchdown passes with 10 interceptions and 11 fumbles, including a game-turning late pick in last week’s loss to Carolina.
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson vs. Colts run defense. Robinson, the rookie starter, had a crucial fumble last week and was held to only seven carries for 11 yards.
The Falcons can be expected to lean heavily on Robinson, with support from Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson, and take pressure off Heinicke by emphasizing their running game.
Despite last week’s poor game on a rainy field, Robinson has rushed for 801 yards, the most by any rookie in the league this season. He has rushed for four touchdowns and has 1,124 yards from scrimmage.
The Colts (8-6) have won five of six with Gardner Minshew leading the offense to move into a share of first place in the AFC South. The Falcons (6-8) have benched turnover-plagued starter Desmond Ridder for the second time this season following two straight losses. Taylor Heinicke again moves into the starting role as the Falcons try to improve their fading playoff chances.
The 30-year-old Heinicke, who played for Washington the last three years, is with his fourth NFL team. Minshew, 27, is with his third. Heinicke says he doesn’t know Minshew but believes they have much in common, including fun-loving personalities.
Minshew has been the Colts’ starter since mid-October, when rookie Anthony Richardson had season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith plans to stick with Heinicke for the final three regular-season games. That stretch could be crucial for Smith’s future with the team. Falcons owner Arthur Blank said this week he will wait until after the season to decide if Smith, who is 20-28 in his three seasons, will return in 2024.
Ridder has thrown 10 touchdown passes with 10 interceptions, including a late pick in the red zone in last week’s 9-7 loss to the league-worst Carolina Panthers. The Falcons have fallen to third place in the division, one game behind Tampa Bay and New Orleans.