Indianapolis Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday announced Wednesday that they will bench Matt Ryan and start veteran quarterback Nick Foles in Week 16. Saturday told reporters: “I feel like Nick will give us a better chance to win these last three games.” Ryan joined the Colts in an off-season trade from the Atlanta Falcons, He completed 67% of his throws for 3,057 yards, 14 touchdowns and a league-leading 13 interceptions in 12 starts this season, going 4-7-1 as a starter.
The 6-foot-6, 243 pound Foles signed with the Colts as a free agent in May. Foles has started 56 games over his 11-year career spent with the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears . Over those stops, Foles has 14,003 passing yards with 82 touchdowns, 43 interceptions and a passer rating of 87.3; he was named a Pro Bowler in 2013 and earned MVP honors in Super Bowl LII. The 11-year veteran is 29-27 in his career as a starter.
Saturday said the Colts haven’t decided if Ryan or Sam Ehlinger will back up Foles on Monday, and that the team’s plan at quarterback will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis to close out the season. The Colts will host the Los Angeles Chargers at 8:15 p.m. EST Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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