Game Information
Date/Time: September 18, 2022, 1 pm
Weather Forecast: 84 Degrees, 40% chance of Rain
Network: CBS
Broadcast Crew: Tom McCarthy & Tiki Barber
Stream: FuboTV
Radio: WFNI 1070-AM The Fan, WLHK 97.1 HANK FM — Matt Taylor, Rick Venturi, Larra Overton
Referee Assignment: Alex Kemp
Game Preview
The Colts travel to Duval to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, with each team looking for their first win of the season. The Colts have struggled mightily in TIAA Stadium in recent history, and have not won there since 2015. The last time the Colts played in Duval, it was the infamous Week 18 drubbing 11-26 that cost the Colts a playoff spot in 2021.
Storylines
Will injuries doom the Colts?
After their Week 1 tie versus the Texans, the Colts are a bit dinged up. Amongst the injury report are 4 Pro Bowl/All Pro players, as well as rookie Alec Pierce, who suffered a concussion after a brutal illegal hit by fellow rookie Jalen Pitre.
Friday’s practice report for #INDvsJAX pic.twitter.com/ehSXInNMKE
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 16, 2022
Shaq Leonard practiced fully but the Colts are still being cautious after his offseason back surgery. Buckner and Moore II practiced fully on Friday, which could indicate that barring any setbacks they will play Sunday (albeit with likely lessened snap counts). Michael Pittman Jr. has officially been ruled out for tomorrow’s game.
With four prolific players dinged up or out, as well as Pierce, the Colts are at a disadvantage against a fully healthy Jaguars roster. Can the rest of the Colts roster pick up the slack?
Can Matt Ryan continue his streak?
Matt Ryan has yet to lose to 3 NFL teams so far in his 15 year career: his former team the Atlanta Falcons, the Raiders (4-0), and the Jaguars (4-0).
While the Colts have not been very fortunate in Duval, Ryan has been able to take care of business so far in his career. Barring another tie, one of those streaks will end on Sunday. Time will tell which one.
Keys to the Game
Putting Pressure on Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence in week 1 was sacked 2 times and hit 10 times. Not only were the Commanders able to consistently hit Lawrence, they pressured him at a very high level too.
Trevor Lawrence was pressured 21 times on 45 drop backs in week 1 vs. the Commanders
47% of drop backs were pressured.
How many sacks will the Colts have on Sunday?
— Colts Analytics (@ColtsAnalytics) September 17, 2022
When Lawrence had a clean pocket though, he was surgically precise. He racked up 18/24 completions for over 200 passing yards and a TD. When under pressure he was 6/18 for 75 yards and an INT. While QBs usually become less efficient when under pressure, the gap for Lawrence is noticeably vast.
Should Yannick Ngakoue make a big homecoming performance & Kwity Paye continue his dominant pass rushing that we saw flashes of in Overtime last week, the Colts will be well positioned to get a win.
Unleashing Taylor & Hines
One of the NFL’s best 1-2 punches at RB, Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines are a pair of tremendous backs. Taylor is coming off a 161 yard rushing performance, dominating on the ground for 5.2 yards per carry. Hines meanwhile made his impact through the air, hauling all 6 of his targets for 50 yards, picking up 3 crucial first downs.
3rd down pass play in overtime. Nyheim Hines in the slot with a linebacker in off coverage…
Easiest read of Matt Ryan’s career pic.twitter.com/bjENRw7BQd
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) September 13, 2022
Both will have very important roles due to the injuries at WR. They will need to establish the run to help open up receivers downfield via Play Action or single coverage looks. They also will need to make an impact in the receiving game as well, whether it be via checkdowns when Ryan is under pressure, designed screens, or lining up in the slot (especially Hines on the latter).
This dynamic duo is coming off of a combined 44 touch, 229 yard performance last week, and likely will be called upon at a similar rate vs the Jaguars. Should they perform similarly, it will make Matt Ryan’s job much easier despite the depleted WR corps.
Matchups to Watch
Colts OTs vs Jaguars EDGEs
After a rough opening outing against the Texans, the Colts OTs will face a bigger challenge in Duval. Josh Allen had a slow start to the season with only one pressure, but he has been a frequent thorn in the Colts side over the years. In his 5 games vs the Colts, Allen has had 3 Tackles For Loss, 3.5 sacks, and 10 QB Hits. He will be a test for Braden Smith with his speed rushes, but could also attack from the left and go after the Pryor/Raimann rotations at LT.
On the other side, the Jags have gotten good returns from 2022 1st overall pick Travon Walker already. The rookie had a sack & an INT on Carson Wentz for his debut. With his freakish athleticism, he could be an absolute nightmare of a matchup if he continues to develop.
Travon Walker is the first rookie to record a sack and an INT in an NFL debut since TJ Watt in 2017 👀 pic.twitter.com/0Z1e7WiPMG
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 13, 2022
Braden Smith and the Pryor/Raimann duo struggled week 1 in Houston, especially in pass protection. Should the Jaguars win off the edge with speed rushes consistently, Matt Ryan will be asked to step up in the pocket and deliver the pass a lot quicker. While Ryan is one of the better QBs in the NFL vs pressure, asking him to do it too much will limit his effectiveness and hurt the Colts ability to develop routes deeper downfield.
Braden Smith had a rough day in pass pro, but he was moving folks on nearly ever big run last week https://t.co/1u4js77pbi
— Kennan (@VeveJones007) September 15, 2022
Kenny Moore II VS Christian Kirk
Kenny Moore II has had a rough last few games, struggling vs Hunter Renfrow and in Duval last year, then having 2 devastating and controversial DPI calls last week vs the Texans. “Lightning in the Bottle” if healthy needs to bounce back vs the Jaguars top passing option this week.
Most receiving yards vs single coverage
🚀 Christian Kirk – 113
🚀 A.J. Brown – 100 pic.twitter.com/Nx44HOTaXE— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 12, 2022
Christian Kirk after destroying the WR market in the offseason had a really good game vs the Commanders. While he did only catch 6 of his 12 targets, he made the most of them with 117 yards (19.5 yards per reception). His Average Depth of Target was only 10.7, but he dominated after the catch, gaining 50 Yards After Catch.
Kenny Moore II (hip) also was injured in Wednesday’s practice. He’ll be listed as questionable, but “is making good progress,” per Reich. #Colts
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) September 16, 2022
Moore II needs to continue to disrupt Kirk’s budding chemistry with Lawrence, tackle him reliably to limit his YAC, and avoid drawing big DPI calls when covering downfield. Coming off of a limited week of practice, this could be a tough task to do all 3.
Betting Lines
According to DraftKings, the Colts are 3 point favorites.
Final Thoughts
Injuries, recent history in Duval, and the sloppy play for half of the Texans game are reasons to be nervous about the Colts this week. Matt Ryan’s poise & leadership to dig the Colts out of a 17 point hole, Jonathan Taylor’s dominance, and the Colts improved pass rush are reasons to be optimistic.
All this talk about injuries, and fans of the Indianapolis Colts forget that we have the best running back in the NFL, a Hall Of Fame quarterback, and multiple Pro Bowlers on the field.
— Dan Sonnenfeldt (@ETSUColtsFanDan) September 16, 2022
The Colts suffered a few missnaps, a dropped TD, and a missed FG, and still didn’t lose. Had any of those miscues been avoided, the Colts win. If Reich and Ryan hold the Colts accountable for their mistakes last week and sharpen up, the offense will be in good hands.
My bold prediction: the Colts will win the turnover battle. They will pressure and pick off Lawrence consistently, while running the ball aggressively, limiting their own mistakes, carving out their first win of the season. The Duval Losing Streak will end.
