NY Jets at Indianapolis Colts, Week 9 preview: Mike White in prime time

Mike White, Carson Wentz
Mike White, Carson Wentz, Jet X Graphic, Getty Images

Mike White, Mr. Prime Time, leads the New York Jets into Indianapolis to take on the Colts

Well, what else does Mr. White have in store for us?

We know what happened to Mr. White in Reservoir Dogs; he met his untimely demise before the screen cut to black, courtesy of the boys in blue. We know how New Mexico’s Mr. White met his demise after he decided to break bad; he let it happen while thinking about his special blue.

Now, the only question is this: How will the New York Jets‘ Mr. White fare when they take on that very same blue color in Indianapolis?

After his stunning 405-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Cincinnati Bengals four short days ago, Mike White takes the 2-5 Jets into prime time when they meet the Indianapolis Colts on the road.

Jets at Colts game info

  • New York Jets (2-5)
  • Indianapolis Colts (3-5)
  • NFL, Week 9, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX
  • MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Week 9 Preview
New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Week 9 Preview, Jet X Graphic, Getty Images

Can Mike White play so well that Robert Saleh and company have a serious decision on their hands by the start of next week? Will Zach Wilson even be ready to play in Week 10?

The questions are many yet the answers are none—at least for now.

In terms of attire, interestingly, Woody Johnson announced on Twitter that the Jets are set to wear a new uniform combination. Considering the Colts have announced they’ll be wearing their home blues, that means New York is set to rock the white.

This means the only new uniform combo includes black pants (to go with the white top).

Jets at Colts history

  • Colts lead the Jets all-time series, 43-32

Obviously, the Colts bring fond memories for old-school Jets fans. Super Bowl 3 remains the Jets’ only championship, but it doesn’t end there.

The Jets have also beaten the Colts on two occasions in the playoffs. In January 2011 (the 2010 season), Rex Ryan’s Jets knocked off Peyton Manning’s Colts a the buzzer.

The year prior, Manning got the better of the Jets, which marks the only time the Colts won a tournament game against New York. Super Bowl 3 and the blowout shutout in 2002 (the Jets’ last home playoff game) represent the organization’s other two playoff victories over Indy.

In recent times, the Colts won the last meeting, a 36-7 romp in September 2020, as well as two of the last three meetings. Interestingly, New York has taken four of the last six and five of the last seven.

Jets at Colts odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)

  • Spread: Jets +10.5 (-111), Colts -10.5 (-108)
  • Moneyline: Jets +410, Colts -550
  • Over/Under: 45.5 (O: -115, U: -105)

I guess Vegas didn’t believe in Mike White’s initial performance. After experiencing an 11.5-point underdog status at home against the Bengals, the Jets take to the road as 10.5-point underdogs on the road against the Colts.

Now that Mike LaFleur’s offense has found itself a bit—much more so than their performance against Tennessee—online sports bettors can now believe in the Jets.

Take the points and the Jets this week, even in the face of a Thursday night road contest.

Jets at Colts injury report

New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Week 9 Injury Report
New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Week 9 Injury Report, New York Jets Communications

New York Jets

  • Tevin Coleman (Hamstring): Out
  • Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (Not Injury-Related): Out
  • Bryce Huff (Back): Out
  • Zach Wilson (Knee): Out
  • Corey Davis (Hip): Doubtful
  • George Fant (Ankle): Questionable

The Jets’ injury report isn’t much different than Week 8 against Cincinnati. The only difference comes in the form of Trevon Wesco’s non-status and George Fant’s inclusion.

It doesn’t look good for wide receiver Corey Davis, who enters as doubtful with a hip injury.

Indianapolis Colts

  • T.Y. Hilton (Concussion): Out
  • Khari Willis (Calf): Out
  • Quenton Nelson (Toe): Questionable

Frank Reich’s Colts enter as a relatively healthy squad. Although they’ll be without wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, stud guard Quenton Nelson is currently listed as questionable.

New York Jets’ keys to victory

Don’t change a damn thing until forced

Sure, LaFleur and White took advantage of a relaxed Bengals defense last Sunday, but that doesn’t mean much should be changed.

New York’s offense must begin things in a similar fashion to how it did against Cincy. Even if the Colts defense plays aggressively and opens by sitting on routes, taking the small victories has to be the game plan.

Not until Indy proves it won’t allow the underneath stuff should the Jets start attempting downfield chunks.

The defensive line must show up

There aren’t too many offensive lines in the league as talented as the Colts. Last year in the playoffs, their offensive line dominated the Buffalo Bills front, but Reich and company choked up a golden opportunity.

Quinnen Williams, Foley Fatukasi, Sheldon Rankins, John Franklin-Myers, Shaq Lawson and more have to meet the Colts’ offensive line head-on if the Jets are to have a shot competing on the defensive side of the ball.

Jets at Colts prediction

  • New York Jets 30, Indianapolis Colts 26

The last time the Jets had a shot at a winning streak it was met with thunderous denial (in London). You know what they say … second time’s the charm?

As long as the defensive line shows up—and it’ll be easier defensively with C.J. Mosley and Jarrad Davis playing in their second-straight game together—Mike White and the offense should put up points.

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