The Colts head to Carolina this week with a heavily anticipated match-up between two teams resetting their cultures. Frank Reich, former Colts head coach, is now the top man for the Panthers looking for revenge on his former ball club. Steichen and the Colts want to snap a three-game skid with Gardner Minshew at the helm.
Both squads were silent during the final hours of the trade deadline, which is somewhat surprising considering the pieces both teams could have sold for a brighter future and cheaper payroll. However, Brian Burns still remains a Panther and will certainly make his presence known if the Colts don’t grind the ball on early downs.
Colts’ Offense – Run The Damn Ball
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (28) – Indianapolis Colts
In week 8, Jonathan Taylor got a singular touch in the second half after rattling off 80 yards in the first. Play caller Shane Steichen explained away the obvious questions as early down penalties putting them behind the sticks, certain looks the Saints were giving them, and riding the hot hand of Zack Moss.
As great as the new head coach has been this year, these are petty excuses for why your best player didn’t eat the entire game. In fact, they’re some of the same reasons former coach Frank Reich gave in a similar situation about Taylor’s limited carries in previous seasons.
Simply put, get Taylor the ball! The best player on the team needs to get the rock in his hands every drive, even if that means limited yards, it forces the defense to keep him in mind while Pittman and Downs get their fair share down the field. It’s obvious that Taylor needed to be slowly reintroduced to the Colts’ run game, but now it’s past due to make him the feature back. Zack Moss is a great number two. The Colts know his value otherwise they would have traded him this week when teams were calling but get Taylor the ball.
The offensive line will have their hands full with pristine pass rusher Brian Burns. Look for chips, and extra tight-end blocking from Ogletree and company. The Colts will need to work in a quick pass game that keeps Minshew on his spot, so he doesn’t get any opportunities to make off-balance throws into waiting defensive backs.
Colts’ Defense – Gus, do something… Please?
Colts DL DeForest Buckner (99) – Indianapolis Colts
Look the Colts’ defense is getting a bad rap right now because they aren’t making splash plays, they’re giving up too many yards, and corners that can’t seem to cover past five yards downfield. Nevertheless, the Colts have talent, especially in their linebacking core.
Last week against the Saints, Zaire Franklin was asked to track Alvin Kamara in the passing game which is a death sentence for any linebacker. Yes, Zaire got his knee jacked up and he still made some great plays, but that doesn’t excuse the flawed game plan. Gus Bradley needs to put his players in a spot to be successful if this team has any chance of holding teams below 21 points in a game.
Facing the Panthers this week gives the corners a chance to improve against lackluster talent. Adam Theilen is not the game-breaker he once was, and Bryce Young has been mediocre at best. The pass rush needs to get home multiple times this game to take pressure off the secondary. Ickey Ekwonu, the Panther second-year man, has been solid this year and may be taking the next step, but that shouldn’t be enough to slow down Buckner and Ebukam from making plays.
Last week blitzing on a key 3rd down late in the game a wiley vet Derek Carr gashed them to seal the game. Bryce Young will not do that, he’s just not good enough yet. Bring the pressure! Let the boys upfront pin their ears back and get home before the corners have time to let you down.
The mood around these Indianapolis Colts has changed from frisky to meh. It’s not a feeling you want as a ball club and veterans like Zaire Franklin are getting antsy to get back to winning football. The Colts didn’t make any moves at the deadline when they could have been major sellers, let’s hope that breathes a breath of life into the continuity and connection of the men in the locker room.
