The Indianapolis Colts (3-5) visit the Carolina Panthers (1-6) to take on former HC Frank Reich and rookie QB and No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. The Colts are fresh off a 3-game losing streak while the Panthers are coming off their first win in the Reich era.
Game Information
Date/Time: November 5th, 2023, 4:05 PM ET
Weather Forecast: 73 Degrees F, Sunny
Network: CBS
Broadcast Crew: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Trent Green (color commentary) and Melanie Collins (sideline).
Stream: FUBO, NFL Sunday Ticket
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan and 97.1 HANK FM
Radio Crew: Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Rick Venturi (color analyst), and Larra Overton (sideline reporter)
Referee Assignment: Bill Vinovich
Preview
Offensively, the Colts will continue to need QB Gardner Minshew to limit turnovers in order to win. Minshew has committed 9 turnovers amidst the Colts 3-game losing streak. Minshew has been sacked 9 times during said streak and Indy’s offense will need a near-perfect performance from Minshew in this area as the Colts may be down to their 3rd string RT. Pass protection in that span has been more than serviceable, yet the common mistakes within the pocket from Minshew will continue to serve as a hindrance for this offense.
Carolina’s rookie starting QB Bryce Young is coming off a performance in which he was sacked 6 times but remained efficient as a passer, going 22-31 through the air with 235 yards and 1 touchdown. Young has been sacked 22 times, the 7th-most of any QB this season. This bodes well for the Indianapolis defense which is T-12th in the NFL in total sacks, although, this same defense ranks dead last in the league in explosive plays (rushes of 10+ yards & passes of 20+ yards) allowed with 53.
This game very well might come down to which defense allows less explosive plays defensively as the Panthers defense is T-4th for most explosive plays allowed with 48. Of Carolina’s 48 explosive plays allowed, 27 have been explosive run plays which is T-worst in the NFL. Carolina has allowed more explosive runs defensively but is just behind the Colts defense when it comes to total rush yards allowed. Both teams are bottom-of-the-league in stopping the run, though Indy’s run game is much more threatening.
Injury Report
Indianapolis Colts
OUT: RT Braden Smith, CB JuJu Brents
QUESTIONABLE: LB Zaire Franklin (Doubtful), RT Blake Freeland, S Rodney Thomas II, RB Zack Moss, WR Josh Downs
The final practice report for #INDvsCAR: pic.twitter.com/HKCDVgKnZ0
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 3, 2023
Carolina Panthers
OUT: OLB Justin Houston, WR Laviska Shenault Jr., LB Claudin Cherelus
QUESTIONABLE: WR DJ Chark, S Vonn Bell (Doubtful), CB Donte Jackson
More from The Blue Stable:
