ProFootballDoc: NFL Saturday Solo Game Analysis #NEvsIND

At least we still have a Saturday bonus game after the Raiders at Browns contest was moved to Monday. The NFL vowed to not move games this year but it has once again due to COVID. The irony is Las Vegas is one of four teams with zero COVID positives, yet they are the ones that have to adjust to play later and prepare for division rival Denver on a short week. Meanwhile Cleveland likely benefits getting players back with the newly relaxed test out rules.

The Thursday Night Football AFC West showdown went to injury form as the Chiefs, the healthier side by SICscore prevailed over the Chargers and covered. This does not count towards our Sunday season win total which is +7.

Sports Injury Central www.SICscore.com is the new expanded site for injury analysis on all three major sports and boasts multiple team physicians from football, basketball to baseball. SIC Score is our proprietary numerical injury grading system that incorporates the health of every NFL team and individual players to give sports bettors, DFS players and fantasy owners an edge each week during the season. While it purposely doesn’t take into account coaching, schemes or matchups, SIC Scores give an accurate assessment of team/player overall health heading into a game.

INDIANAPOLIS -2.5 vs NEW ENGLAND

This battle was supposed to be the run game strength of the Colts with Jonathon Taylor against the run game strength of the Patriots with Damien Harris. Instead, Harris is out as expected with his hamstring injury. This tips the health balance over to Indianapolis slightly. Will New England's stout run defense hold up?

The Patriots also have a big drop of 7.5 in SIC score health this week from last week. At this point of the season, the week-to-week delta changes and the direction of team health are more impactful than just the overall score.

Both sides are relatively healthy and this should be a good matchup. Use all the data at www.SICscore.com to make your best fantasy/DFS/wagering decisions.

Written by
David Chao, MD -- known digitally as Pro Football Doc -- is an expert contributor for Outkick. Chao spent 17 seasons as the team doctor for the San Diego Chargers (1997-2013) and is part of the medical team at OASIS in San Diego where he treats and specializes in orthopedic sports injuries, working with high-profile professional athletes from the NFL, NBA, and MLB.