The Seattle Seahawks could very well be better than the Indianapolis Colts, even if Indy were completely healthy. Earlier in the season, the Colts were operating offensively at a historic level. But Seattle has been the better, well-rounded team.
In Week 15, Seattle will be healthier than it was several weeks ago, but Indianapolis is falling apart. The issue goes well beyond quarterback Daniel Jones missing the rest of the season with a torn right Achilles tendon. Key Colts likely missing the game will number in the plenty.
Indy made a move for former All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner at the trade deadline, but Gardner hurt his calf two games ago and is not expected to play in Week 15. Unlikely, too, is fellow cornerback Charvarius Ward, whom the Seahawks know well since he spent the previous three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
Seattle Seahawks will face a banged-up Indianapolis Colts team in Week 15
Ward is, unfortunately, dealing with his third concussion of the season. It might be wise if the Colts keep him out for the remainder of the season.
Right tackle Braden Smith has been a starter for Indianapolis for eight seasons, but he is also struggling with concussion symptoms and a neck injury sustained in Week 14. He would also seemingly be unlikely to play.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has been on injured reserved with his own neck injury, and while he is available to come off IR in Week 15, Indy has made no indication he will be. Buckner is by far the best interior defensive lineman that the Colts have, and his absence has been felt.
In other words, while the Seahawks are trending up in terms of health, Indianapolis is becoming a shadow of its formerly successful self. Seattle may also get center Jalen Sundell back for Week 15. Olu Oluwatimi hasn't been terrible in the last four games, but he has allowed eight total pressures in 156 pass-block snaps. Sundell has allowed just six in 257 this season.
Of course, an injury-riddled team can still be a dangerous one, as backups are finally getting their chances to prove they belong in the NFL. The talent level between the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts in Week 15 should simply be too great for head coach Mike Macdonald's team not to easily take care of business.
A victory would move the Seahawks to 11-3 with three games left. Seattle still has to play the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, the Carolina Panthers, and the San Francisco 49ers. Even with two losses in those games, Seattle should make the playoffs. With four wins to finish the season, the Seahawks would have a first-round bye in the postseason.