The Colts welcome the Saints in a week eight match-up that has each team feeling this is their chance to get back to .500. The Saints and Colts are both coming off devastating week 7 losses, looking to right the ship before it takes on too much water. For Indy to win it’s a simple formula, win the turnover battle.
Colts’ Offense – Minshew (Mistake-Free) Mania
Colts WR Michael Pittman (11) Josh Downs (1) – Indianapolis Colts
In his last two starts, Gardner Minshew has turned the ball over eight times, with an equal amount of interceptions as fumbles. Even though he posted a 119 passer rating in week eight, it was his fumble in the endzone that swung the game in the Browns’ favor. What was most impressive was Minshew’s two rushing touchdowns and shimmy shake celebration. Going up against a top-ten-ranked New Orleans defense, the threat of Minshew running for positive yardage can open up the pass game lanes and keep Taylor and Moss dangerous in RPO. However, the main task for Minshew this week is to get the ball safely to playmakers.
In Week 7 Taylor and Moss split snap counts pretty evenly and Taylor was able to snatch his first touchdown of the year. Coach Shane Steichen is clearly ramping up the Jonathan Taylor factor in the offense and week eight could be his drop the mic, I’m still the greatest in the game performance. The Colts were able to put up great rushing statistics against the number one defense in the league the Browns and a top rush defense the Titans as well. Comparatively, the Saints’ defense is giving up 3.9 rush yards per play which should pose opportunities for a great game from Taylor.
In a dramatic and disappointing finish last week, Michael Pittman Jr. came out to voice his displeasure about the amount of time he was targeted against the Browns. He has since rolled back those statements, chalking it up to emotion, but he wasn’t wrong. Pittman needs to be targeted early and often. In fact, I think it’s time to make a clear division of playmakers in this Colts’ offense. Taylor, Downs, and Pittman need to be the first read on every play, followed by Pierce, Moss, Granson, and Ogletree. There’s no doubt the Colts have playmakers in this offense and a quarterback who can distribute when he has time.
The offensive line struggled with Myles Garrett last week but the Saints edge defenders are not him, so expect Minshew to have a little more time. Also, Tony Sporano Jr. has proven to be a great teacher and puts his players in a position to be successful every week.
Colts’ Defense – Protect the Corners
Colts LB Shaq Leonard (53) – Indianapolis Colts
There’s no hiding these corners in the Colts defense As soon as Juju Brents went down last, the Browns wasted no time attacking Darrell Baker Jr. Which eventually led to the game-winning touchdown drive after two questionable calls. It’s too bad Juju Brents is out this game because having him take reps against Michael Thomas and Chris Olave would have been fun to watch and great for his development. Without him the Colts are left with Jaylon Jones and Darell Baker Jr. There was talk about Kenny Moore kicking outside in a pinch, but defensive coordinator Gus Bradley mentioned how taking an elite player out of the slot could pose a different problem in the game.
That being said, the Colts’ defense has to have a plan to protect the corners from getting obliterated against the Saints’ impressive receiving core. Last week Rodney Thomas and Julian Blackmon finally made splash plays with each of them getting an intercetpion. Those safeties will play a pivotal role in keeping the Saints in front of them and limiting Olave from taking the top off the defense. Expect Gus Bradley to have some fresh coverages and pressure to get Derek Carr off his spot and get the ball out quickly, which he loves to do.
Carr will check down to Kamara faster than a Wall Street bro gets through an eight-ball. This is great for the Colts who rally and gang-tackle like machines. Zaire Franklin will be spying on Kamara like Russia in the election and will blow it up the same way. It’s going to be fun this week with this defense and please please please, Shaq Leonard, get a pick-six. Now is the time.
The 2023 Indianapolis Colts have been a warm surprise for Colts Nation. They are the only team to score over 20 points in every game this season. Now if they protect the ball and make life hard on Carr, they’ll get closer to a winning record.
