Greg Cote

NFL Thursday night football: Jets at Colts. Which QB do we trust the least? Our pick | Opinion

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz passes during 27-17 win at Miami Dolphins on Sunday, October 3, 2021. Wentz’s Colts host the New York Jets this Thursday night to kick-off NFL Week 9.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz passes during 27-17 win at Miami Dolphins on Sunday, October 3, 2021. Wentz’s Colts host the New York Jets this Thursday night to kick-off NFL Week 9. dsantiago@miamiherald.com

NFL WEEK 9

GREG COTE’S THURSDAY PICK

JETS (2-5) at COLTS (3-5)

Line: IND by 10 1/2.

Cote’s pick: IND 30-16.

TV: 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Fox/NFL.

We all know how this goes, right? Jets fans, especially. On Sunday little-known Mike White became only the second QB ever to throw for 400 yards in his first NFL start (after Cam Newton in 2011). Four nights later, in the Week 9 Thursday kickoff, with a thud White falls back to Earth. The Colts, with tape on White, remind everyone why he was a fifth-round pick who hung around four years before finally getting his shot thanks only to Zach Wilson’s knee injury. NYJ is improved but not a good team based on upsetting Cincy. They are minus-10 in turnovers, third worst in the league. They do not have the defense to bring out the worst (and it’s always in there somewhere) in Carson Wentz. Indy is on a 4-10 skid vs. sub-.500 teams, but desperation and a home edge magnified in prime time should summon a big, focused effort by a Colts team seen as playoff-caliber and now teetering. Nags have blown 19- and 14-point leads in past two losses. No three-peat here. Big number but Indy on a 6-1 roll against the spread at night and see another cover here.

[Note: Betting line courtesy Caesars Sportsbook as of midday Wednesday. Picks for remainder of Week 9 games will appear online Thursday afternoon and in print Friday].

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Greg Cote
Miami Herald
Greg Cote is a Miami Herald sports columnist who in 2025 won a first-place Green Eyeshade award in Sports Commentary and has finished top 10 in column writing by the Associated Press Sports Editors on multiple occasions. Greg also hosts The Greg Cote Show podcast and appears regularly on The Dan LeBatard Show With Stugotz.
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