Nick Foles odds fallout: Colts NFL Week 16 spread vs. Chargers rises as Indianapolis will start third-string quarterback

Since Andrew Luck's shocking retirement on the eve of the 2019 season, few teams in the NFL have cycled through more starting quarterbacks than the Indianapolis Colts. Add another one to the list for Monday night's home game in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers, as interim coach Jeff Saturday has benched Matt Ryan and will not turn to presumed backup Sam Ehlinger but third-stringer Nick Foles, the one-time Super Bowl MVP. That has pushed LA from -3.5 to as high as -5 at several sportsbooks.

Saturday's first move after taking over for the fired Frank Reich was to bench the inexperienced Ehlinger for Ryan ahead of the team's Week 10 matchup at Las Vegas. Indianapolis won that game 25-20 but has since lost four straight, including being on the wrong end of the biggest comeback in league history last Saturday in a 39-36 overtime defeat at Minnesota.

Ryan actually didn't turn the ball over against the Vikings, but leads the NFL with 18 giveaways (13 picks, five fumbles lost). Those 13 interceptions are most in the NFL, and Ryan had been the betting favorite to "win" that title, but the books have taken the prop off the board with this news. Houston's Davis Mills, second with 12 picks, should be the new favorite.

Foles was released this summer by Chicago and it made sense to sign with Indy because Reich was his offensive coordinator in Philadelphia when the Eagles won the Super Bowl. Foles has been on the field for just two snaps this regular season for the Colts (he played a fair amount in the preseason) and has not attempted a pass. He started one game in 2021 for the Bears and led a 35-24 upset in Seattle. Saturday, who probably lost any chance at the long-term job with that gutting Minnesota loss, claims Foles will be his guy the rest of the way.

At 4-9-1 and 14th in the AFC, the Colts haven't been eliminated from playoff contention yet but would be with a loss or tie Monday, a Jaguars win or tie Thursday at the Jets, or a Titans win or tie Saturday vs. Houston.

• Picks: NFL | NBA | CFB | CBB
• DFS: Lineup Optimizer | Picks
• Early Edge: YouTube | Apple Podcasts
• Newsletters: SportsLine Daily | Fantasy

Qualifying SportsLine members receive a 30-day free trial of Paramount+ premium. Sync your account right here.