Identical to the Tennessee Titans, the Indianapolis Colts are off to an unsightly begin to the season on offense, the place the Colts are averaging the fewest factors per recreation (13.0) within the NFL.
Indianapolis began off its season with a tie towards the Houston Texans, adopted by a shutout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Nonetheless, identical to the Titans, the Colts nabbed their first win of the 2022 marketing campaign with an upset victory, beating the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, 20-17, giving Indy some momentum forward of this divisional matchup.
With a purpose to get extra details about Indianapolis, we went behind enemy strains with Kevin Hickey of Colts Wire and requested him 5 questions. Right here’s what he needed to say.
Has Matt Ryan been an improve over Carson Wentz throughout his first three video games?
Syndication: The Indianapolis Star
Hickey: Briefly, no. However I might argue that Wentz could be simply as erratic with this offensive line. Ryan is clearly a extra appropriate chief, and he’s definitely extra accountable for the errors he’s made. Nonetheless, it hasn’t translated to manufacturing or success but. Till the Colts work out the offensive line points (extra on that quickly), it will likely be really tough to guage Ryan’s play and much more so once we attempt to evaluate it to Wentz.
Shaquille Leonard has been practising in full for a number of weeks now; why hasn’t he performed?
Jenna Watson/IndyStar Workers-USA TODAY Sports activities
Hickey: Each the Colts and Leonard have been taking excessive warning as he works his approach again from offseason again surgical procedure. The ultimate step is getting totally conditioned to play in video games whereas getting his power again. Apparently, there’s no fear of a setback, however the Colts have stated the tape in apply hasn’t regarded near the tape Leonard has placed on throughout video games previously. That’s the reply they’re giving us. Leonard doesn’t appear to be the kind to wish to miss video games, and he’s additionally handled this damage for nearly two years now. However it has been an odd scenario, nonetheless.
The Colts’ offensive line has been considerably shaky by means of three video games; what’s the trigger?
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports activities
Hickey: “Considerably shaky” is a really beneficiant approach of placing it, however you’re a pleasant man so I’d count on nothing much less from you Mike! Actually, although, the offensive line has been a catastrophe. It’s the highest-paid unit within the league, they usually’re on tempo to permit 68 sacks. Luckily, many of the points are fixable as a result of it stems from communication. They merely can’t get on the identical web page or accurately ID a blitz. Their safety slides have been very suspect as nicely, and I blame that on communication. The opposite points is that we don’t know the place it’s coming from. Is it Matt Ryan failing to ID the blitz or is that Ryan Kelly’s job? The Colts haven’t given a solution. It additionally ought to be famous that the 2 new starters — LT Matt Pryor and RG Danny Pinter — have struggled to assimilate. It’s been fairly the beginning for the league’s highest-paid offensive line.
Identify one under-the-radar participant on either side of the ball who may make a huge impact.
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Hickey: On protection, it’s going to be defensive deal with Grover Stewart. Working from the one-technique, Stewart has developed into an elite run stopper. He’s the most important purpose why the Colts rank close to the highest within the majority of run protection classes. He’s extremely sturdy however nimble on the similar time. His affect turns into even better contemplating the specter of Derrick Henry. On offense, the X-factor right here shall be rookie large receiver Alec Pierce. He dropped each of his targets (together with a would-be landing) within the Week 1 tie towards the Texans and missed the Week 2 loss to the Jaguars resulting from a concussion. However he returned in Week 3 to catch three passes for 61 yards. It received’t be lengthy till he jumps Parris Campbell for the WR2 position, and he could make his declare starting with a powerful day towards the Titans.
Provides us your prediction and a ultimate rating for Week 4.
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Hickey: I believe this winds up being a comparatively ugly recreation and one that may come right down to the wire. The damage to DeForest Buckner could possibly be sufficient for the Titans to seize a street win if he doesn’t play. As of this writing, although, there’s an opportunity he goes. Given the Colts’ capacity to cease the run, I believe they seize a house win by the pores and skin of their enamel. However it really may go both approach. We’ll say Colts, 20-18.
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