Falcons vs. Colts: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

The Atlanta Falcons look to continue their resurgence in Week 9 and they have the perfect opponent to do so when they travel to Indianapolis to take on the winless Colts.

The Falcons started out the season slow, with a 2-3 record, but they have looked much better in their last two games. The defense is not giving up as many big plays as it did before. The offense is getting back to what made it work so well in 2010: Strong running and timely passing from Matt Ryan.

The Colts are a complete mess right now. Peyton Manning’s absence has caused everyone else on the team to just give up. There is no energy on offense or defense, and head coach Jim Caldwell is dealing with constant speculation that he could lose his job.

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana

When: Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1:00 p.m. EST

Watch: Fox; DirecTV Channel 710

Listen: Star 94, 790 The Zone (Atlanta); 1070 AM WFNI, 97.1 HANK FM, Sirius Channel 113 (Indianapolis)

Live Streaming Audio:  NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Betting Line: Atlanta (-7.5)

What’s At Stake?

The Falcons are just a half game behind New Orleans in the NFC South and are tied with the Bears and Buccaneers, both of whom have already beaten them this season, for the final wild card spot with a 4-3 record. They have a few easy games left on the schedule, including this one, and they have to win all of them to have a chance at the postseason.

The Colts are locked in a battle of their own, in the coveted “Suck for Luck” campaign. They are one of two winless teams in the league. Considering where this team is right now, and how little time Peyton Manning has left as an elite quarterback, they would be wise to finish with the worst record to get the prize of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Falcons' Injury Report

Probable: WR Julio Jones (Hamstring)

Out: G Mike Johnson (Foot), RB Ovie Mughelli (Knee)

Colts' Injury Report

Out:  QB Peyton Manning (Neck), QB Kerry Collins (Concussion), DB Mike Newton (Neck), G Ben Ijalana (Knee)

Questionable: OT Antony Castonzo (Ankle)

What They Are Saying

The Falcons have been mourning the loss of fullback Ovie Mughelli, and wide receiver Roddy White told the Atlanta Journal Constitution why he will be missed in this game and the rest of the season. 

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“He is so important to our offense. A lot of people don’t see all the undercover things that he does. He helps Mike get off to great starts. Mike has been rushing the ball really, really well the last couple of weeks. We’ve been doing a really good job, Ovie just getting on people and knocking them down and us getting positive rushing yards.”

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No one cares about the product on the field in Indianapolis right now. All that anyone wants to talk about, including owner Jim Irsay, is the status of Peyton Manning playing at some point this season. 

Falcons Player To Watch: WR Julio Jones

Before getting injured and having to miss the previous two games, Julio Jones was starting to live up to the hype he had after he was drafted. He is a dynamic playmaker on a team that does not feature many of those.

If the Falcons offense is going to take off, Jones has to join Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner as big-play threats who can score on any play. He will be a big boost against a weak Indianapolis defense.

Colts Player To Watch: RB Delone Carter

While the Colts have not had a lot to get excited about this season, Delone Carter has been a pleasant surprise with 305 yards on just 74 carries. He is quickly becoming one of the few playmakers that this team has and will have to be a factor for them to win.

The Falcons defense specializes in stopping the run, so any opportunities that Carter gets to break a big play in this game he has to take. He has to get at least 20 carries so the Colts can control the clock and not have to worry about scoring quickly.

Key Matchup: Colts Offensive Line vs. Falcons Defensive Line

The Colts have to play well in the trenches to give the skill position players a chance to make plays. Curtis Painter is not good enough to overcome a bad offensive line, neither is Delone Carter, so they need protection and holes to run through.

The Falcons have built a strong defensive line, with John Abraham and Ray Edwards being one of the best defensive end duos in the NFL. The fact that the secondary is not a position of strength also puts more pressure on them to produce. If they can’t get loose in the game, the Colts can pull off the upset.

Prediction

The Falcons are hot. The Colts are not. This game should not be particularly close, and the Falcons will easily cover that 7.5 point spread.

Falcons 28, Colts 13