It’s a new age in Colts Nation this week. The once face of the franchise has been dismissed. However, it’s been a year in the making. Zaire Franklin has taken command of the defense with no signs of relinquishing his power anytime soon. The Colts now turn their attention to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and coming off their bye week, the Colts are looking to build on a two-game win streak; easier said than done.
Colts’ Offense – Build the Future
Colts’ RB Jonathan Taylor (28) – Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson will return to the Colts sideline this week, in street clothes, but he will be there. After a successful surgery, the future of the franchise is primed to get as many mental reps as possible in a game situation. I have an interesting idea to help his growth. Let him call a series.
It won’t happen, but wouldn’t that be fun to watch? AR needs as many reps as possible and not being on the field doesn’t mean they can’t get him in the game. Meaning, let him try and control the game from a game plan standpoint. Have Shane Steichen beside him guiding the calls but not controlling him, similar to how they will work together next season. This year is a loss anyway, might as well get as much as you can out of Anthony Richardson’s presence.
In reality, the game plan for the Colts will be the same as usual with Gardner Minshew at the helm, run the ball and get the ball out before he runs around. Pretty bland.
That being said, Josh Downs has shown the ability to be special and he is off the injury report, feed the young boy! Get him touches off RPO plays where the defense has to respect Jonathan Taylor. The Bucs are giving up a 67% completion rate and 5.7 yards per play. The offense should be chugging along when they utilize all of their weapons. I would love to see the Colts use Josh Downs similarly to how the Chiefs use Kadarius Toney in the backfield with options to both Downs and Taylor with Pittman and Pierce on the outside.
Colts’ Defense – Gonna be Cooked?
Colts LB Zaire Franklin (44) – Indianapolis Colts
The Indy defensive line will decide if Mike Evans cooks Jaylon Jones on Thanksgiving weekend. They have to get home early, and the safeties need to be helping these young corners on every passing down.
Baker Mayfield can throw the ball and when the Bucs are rolling, they can catch and run with the best. They throw the ball nearly 60% of the time with a respectable 65% completion rate. Where the Colts will be able to take a major advantage is in the red zone. The Bucs are only scoring on 46% of their trips in enemy territory. That’s where generating turnovers will make or break the game this weekend.
This whole season I’ve been waiting for the Maniac to return to the gridiron but now that will never happen. With the release of Shaq Leonard this week, the Colts are all in with Zaire and EJ as their linebacking duo. Which is actually good news for the Colts. Watch the Patriots game closely from week 10, you’ll see countless missed tackles and Leonard being driven back in the run game. He’s just not what he once was, which is sad because wow was he something. My biggest hope for such a great player and a better man would be he finds his Maniac again but for an NFC team. We don’t need the maniac as an opponent.
Good luck Shaq, thanks for the memories!
Week 12 will be another game of growth for the Colts this season. I’m also setting the over-under for Anthony Richardson sideline shots at 6.5. Get at me on social with your predictions!
