The Indianapolis Colts are coming off their bye week and have a point or two to prove to the AFC South. The Colts are 6-7, still alive in the playoff hunt and are in the race for the South, but they need to get Anthony Richardson and the passing game firing.
In Week 15 Indianapolis takes on the 8-5 Denver Broncos in Mile-High City and needs to end the Broncos’ three-game winning streak to increase their chances of making the postseason. Let’s look at their main weapons in fantasy football ahead of the matchup:
Colts’ Week 15 Fantasy Outlooks & Predictions
QB: Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson has been a rough QB for fantasy managers since being drafted in 2023 and his form this season has been erratic. Richardson has a high ceiling due to his rushing abilities, which include 383 yards and 4 TDs this season, but his passing game is very suspect at 1,511 yards, 7 TDs & 9 INTs across 13 games.
While he hasn’t been helped by some big drops from his receivers and chunk plays being called back for penalties, Richardson has to improve in this area not just for fantasy owners, but to save his career.
Denver has an elite defense, which is a worrying matchup for QBs. The Broncos are allowing an average of 14.58 fantasy points per game to QBs, which ranks seventh in the NFL against the position. While he is a huge risk, Richardson’s upside of rushing yards and TDs makes him a viable option and if he can start connecting with his WRs, this could be a big week for him.
Anthony Richardson’s points range: 5-30; Prediction: 17
RBs: Jonathan Taylor & Trey Sermon
Jonathan Taylor is the only Colts running back you can viably start in fantasy football. Taylor is a must-start against any team and should be in your lineup against the Broncos. Yes Denver’s D is stifling, but Taylor will get enough volume to have a solid floor and if he gets into the end zone, which he has 5 times in 2024, he will be in for a nice week.
Given the superstardom of Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson’s rushing abilities, you should not be considering Trey Sermon in Week 15. Sermon is not getting enough volume to be fantasy-relevant and has very long odds for a TD against Denver.
Jonathan Taylor’s points range: 8-26; Prediction: 13.5 (HPPR)
Trey Sermon’s points range: 1-13; Prediction: 2.5
Also read: Week 15 Defense Rankings & Streamers ft. Cardinals, Falcons & Commanders
WRs: Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs & Alec Pierce
Anthony Richardson’s issues in the passing game are stifling his receivers in fantasy football. This makes all Colts receivers a dangerous prospect, but since Richardson took over QB duties again, none of them are really putting up a lot of points in a passing game that is frequently under 200 yards.
Alec Pierce recorded only 2 targets for 16 yards and a TD in Week 13, while Michael Pittman Jr. got 5 catches for 42 yards. This doesn’t project to be a great game for Colts receivers, and given that they have multiple viable options, none are safe starts.
Josh Downs is questionable to play in Week 15, and whether he suits up or not will affect Pittman and Alec Pierce’s potential target volumes.
Michael Pittman Jr.’s points range: 5-22; Prediction: 9
Alec Pierce’s points range: 2-22; Prediction: 6
*Will provide a prediction for Josh Downs when his injury status becomes clearer
TE: Mo Alie-Cox
Given the Colts’ passing game is so limited at the moment, TE Mo Alie-Cox is not a viable streaming option. Alie-Cox has highs of 2.7 points since Richardson returned under center, so can not be risked against Denver.