The Colts return home from a victory over the New York Jets in Week 11. This week’s task will be their most difficult yet. The current Super Bowl favorite across most major sportsbooks arrives in Indianapolis. The Detroit Lions arrive in Indianapolis at 9-1, having won 8 straight games and just barrel-rolled Jacksonville 52-6 last week. Detroit is a truly complete team in all three phases with little to no glaring weaknesses. Let’s look at some potential keys to victory this week.
Continue The Progress With Richardson
Last week was, without question, Anthony Richardson’s best performance of his career. He finished with a 67% completion percentage and excelled through the air and on the ground. Was last week simply a spark from the benching, or can this start to become a trend for him? Will he continue his new preparation techniques and overall confidence that he exuded last week in New Jersey?
This Detroit defense is no joke. They are stacked and have not allowed more than 30 points in any game this season. This is by far the best defense that Richardson has seen this season or might see all season. Even with the expected outcome this week, it’s a great opportunity for Richardson to continue his progression in his young career.
Take Every Point You Can Get
With the stat that the Lions have not allowed more than 30 points in a game on the opposite side of the ball, they have not scored less than 20. And an even crazier stat, they have won 3 games by more than 35 this season. The last time the Colts won a game by 35 or more points was in 2009. This offense is an absolute juggernaut. Gus Bradley and his unit will have a full plate for 60 minutes.
The Colts have struggled to get into the end zone consistently all season long. They have relied on some early touchdowns and the offense seems to struggle and they live on field goals. While touchdowns will be needed to win this game, we might see Shane Steichen settle for field goals when they can instead of the aggressiveness, we sometimes see on 4th down. If the defense can play to their potential this offense will need every point they can get to stay in this game.
Winning The Line Of Scrimmage
We hear it every week with every analyst. The team that wins that line of scrimmage will win the game. This week will be no different, as the Lions have arguably the best offensive line in the league. They also boast one of the best backfield duos with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The two of them have combined for 1852 yards of total offense.
The weakness this season of the Colts defense has been their ability to stop the run. They have improved from the first weeks of the season when they were abysmal. The Colts will be at full strength on the defensive line with Tyquan Lewis potentially returning this week.
On the offensive side of the ball, it appears that starting left tackle Bernhard Raimann will miss his second consecutive game of the season. Accordingly, rookie Matt Goncalves will start his second straight game of the season. Even with no Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions reloaded with its ZaDarius Smith acquisition at the trade deadline. Goncalves will be challenged all game with Smith battling him.
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