The Indianapolis Colts sit at 3–0, and they suddenly look like a team with answers at the two spots that matter most. Daniel Jones has played the cleanest football of his career, staying upright, avoiding turnovers, and making the right throw when the game demands it. Head coach Shane Steichen even said his quarterback is playing “as good as it gets” right now. Behind him, Jonathan Taylor is running like the version of himself that once carried Indy to the playoffs, breaking tackles and dictating tempo in a way few backs can match.
That’s the combination heading into Los Angeles, where a talented but unsettled Rams team is searching for stability. Matthew Stafford and his receivers can still light up a scoreboard, but after a gut-punch loss to Philadelphia, the question is whether they can match the Colts’ balance and resilience.
Team Context
The Colts arrive off a statement win in Nashville. Jonathan Taylor shredded the Titans for 102 yards and three touchdowns, his first multi-score game since 2021. That effort earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second straight time, and he now leads the NFL in rushing yards (338) and scrimmage yards (431). Daniel Jones didn’t have to force much, completing 18 of 25 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown while the defense added a Kenny Moore II pick-six. It was dominance across the board, and their 3–0 start puts them in the same company as playoff teams nearly 75 percent of the time historically.
The Rams, meanwhile, are trying to shake off the sting of a collapse against Philadelphia. Stafford threw for 196 yards, Puka Nacua hauled in 11 catches for 112 yards, and Davante Adams added 56 yards and a touchdown. For most of the afternoon, it looked like Sean McVay’s team was about to notch a signature win. Instead, two fourth-quarter field goals by Joshua Karty were blocked, the second returned by Jordan Davis for a game-deciding touchdown. That loss leaves Los Angeles at 2–1, with questions about whether they can finish against contenders.
Key Matchups
Jonathan Taylor vs. Rams’ Front Seven
Taylor against the Rams’ defensive front will dictate much of the night. When he establishes rhythm early, defenses stack the box, and the Colts’ passing game becomes efficient and unpredictable. This isn’t a soft front either, as they just held Saquon Barkley to 46 yards on 18 carries. Containing Taylor’s burst is priority one.
Matthew Stafford vs. Colts’ Secondary
Stafford against Indy’s defensive backs is the matchup that could flip the game. The Colts just allowed 219 yards to rookie Cam Ward behind one of the league’s weakest offensive lines. Now comes a far greater challenge: Stafford, Nacua, and Adams. Stafford has thrown interceptions in back-to-back weeks, and if Indy can capitalize the way it did with a pick-six in Tennessee, the Rams’ weapons won’t matter nearly as much. The challenge is greater without Kenny Moore II, sidelined by an Achilles injury.
Trenches Battle
The Colts’ offensive line has been steady, keeping Jones clean and opening lanes for Taylor, while the Rams’ pass rush is beginning to flash. Jones has also been unusually sharp under pressure, averaging 9.7 yards per attempt when blitzed. If Indy’s protection holds, their offense stays balanced. If not, Los Angeles has the chance to force Jones into uncomfortable throws.
Special Teams
Special teams could loom large. A blocked kick cost the Rams a chance to take down the Eagles, while the Colts just watched second-year kicker Spencer Shrader stay steady under pressure. In what figures to be a tight game late, avoiding mistakes in this phase could decide it.
Coaching & Strategy
Steichen has leaned into balance and discipline. He’s paired Taylor’s carries with quick, efficient throws from Jones, refusing to ask his quarterback to play outside himself. That approach has allowed Indy to control tempo and avoid costly errors. Expect more of the same in Los Angeles, with Warren and Downs working underneath while Taylor wears down the Rams’ front.
McVay’s counter will be to stress Indy’s secondary until it breaks. After seeing a rookie throw for over 200 yards against the Colts last week, McVay knows Stafford, Adams, and Nacua can do more. He’ll test matchups early, likely forcing the Colts to decide between doubling Adams or keeping Nacua from piling up catches.
X-Factors
Rookie tight end Tyler Warren may be the most important piece outside of Taylor. The rookie tight end has been a steady outlet, finding soft spots in coverage and taking pressure off Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. Against a Rams defense already stretched thin by Taylor’s power and Pittman’s size, Warren’s versatility could keep drives alive and force Los Angeles to defend the entire field.
Receiver depth is another variable. Alec Pierce exited last week with a concussion and missed practice this week, making his availability doubtful. If he cannot go, second-year wideout AD Mitchell is expected to step into his spot. At 6’2” and 205 pounds, Mitchell isn’t quite the same build as the 6’3”, 211-pound Pierce, but he brings a similar frame and vertical profile. He’s only caught four passes for 41 yards this season after logging 23 catches for 312 yards as a rookie, but his size and athleticism make him a natural candidate to fill that role while Pierce recovers. If Mitchell can stretch the Rams’ secondary even a little, it opens space for Pittman and Downs underneath.
Prediction & Final Thoughts
This game feels like a clash of identities. The Colts are built on balance, leaning on Taylor’s power and Jones’ efficiency to stay steady in every situation. The Rams thrive on volatility, with Stafford and his receivers capable of piling up yards in a heartbeat but still searching for the consistency to finish.
The biggest question is whether Indy’s secondary can survive against Stafford, Adams, and Nacua. If the Colts tighten coverage and force Stafford into mistakes, their formula of Taylor grinding out drives and Jones protecting the football should travel. If not, Los Angeles has the firepower to turn this into a shootout.
Right now, the Colts look like the team that is more comfortable in its own skin. They’ve been clean, physical, and opportunistic, while the Rams are still looking for answers in close games. That edge, combined with the Colts’ red-zone efficiency and league-best drive success rate, may be enough for Indianapolis to leave SoFi still undefeated.
Prediction: Colts 27, Rams 23
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