Three Offensive Elements To Colts Defeating Patriots

admin | November 10, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

On Sunday morning, the Indianapolis Colts offense will have an opportunity to get back on track against the faltering New England Patriots.

There there was an intense rivalry between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts that was always on TV. There was nothing in the NFL more exciting to watch when it came to a quarterback duel than Peyton Manning versus Tom Brady. But that was in the 2000s, and here is the present.

The Colts (4-5) and Patriots (2-7) aren’t playing football the way they usually do right now. Although Shane Steichen’s offense has scored 20 points or more in each of the team’s games this season, it hasn’t been able to support the entire strategy. As for the Patriots, Bill Belichick’s defense isn’t the stalwart it used to be and isn’t able to do heavy lifting to get victories.

Now that these topics have been covered, let’s talk about the three offensive factors Indianapolis has to succeed in order to win and enter the bye week at.500.

1.) Gardner Minshew Must React to Blitzes Better

Last week against the Carolina Panthers, the Colts would win 27-13. However, QB Gardner Minshew left a lot to be desired against a defense that isn’t that intimidating when it comes to rushing the passer. He’d notch a stat line of 17-of-26 for 127 passing yards and 1 TD.

What might have stood out the most was his reaction to blitzes from Carolina. While he did only take one sack and didn’t turn the ball over, he was almost skittish at times in the pocket when there wasn’t blitzing occurring.

Minshew will be challenged immensely by Belichick, who brings blitzes often and disguises coverages to confuse QBs. Even if the Patriots only have 18 sacks on the season (t-28th), Minshew will still need to be at the top of his game or the Patriots could embarrass, even without New England defensive star Matt Judon on the field due to injury.

2.) Get Kylen Granson Involved

Currently, Colts starting slot receiver Josh Downs is questionable for Sunday’s contest in Frankfurt with a knee injury. If he does end up playing, tight end Kylen Granson could be in for a lot of targets.

Currently, on the season, Granson has 16 catches for 170 receiving yards and a TD. However, since Anthony Richardson went down for 2023 with an AC joint shoulder sprain, Minshew hasn’t been targeting the tight ends as often.

Sunday’s contest against the Patriots defense could be a game to get back on track for Granson. New England is bad against passing offenses this year, ranking 25th in the league in total passing yards allowed (2,094), which could mean Steichen’s style of offense might be kryptonite for the Patriots.

Look for Granson to get more involved, whether inline or in the slot. He’s great at separation and will need to be the main threat at tight end with the news of Drew Ogletree not traveling with the team due to injury (foot).

While the Patriots defense isn’t the strongest against the pass, Minshew also hasn’t shown he can break a defense with his right arm alone. Look for a star from the Colts to open up the passing game for Minshew and Steichen. That star is running back Jonathan Taylor.

3.) Establish Jonathan Taylor’s Rhythm Early

The Patriots defense may not be what it once was, but it still has strong players on the defensive front. Names like DTs Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore cause issues for opponents’ rushing attacks and force offenses to go in other directions.

Even with a couple of stout run defenders in front of them, the Colt’s offensive line must break their will to get Taylor in a rhythm. This ground attack also has to be established early and often to open up bigger plays in the passing game, making things easier for Minshew.

With right tackle Braden Smith on pace to return to the starting lineup after missing the last several games, Indy could be at full strength on their offensive line for the first time since early in the 2023 season.

Given that Taylor was a massive reason the Colts got the win the last time the game mattered in 2021, don’t be surprised if Steichen opts to use Taylor as the main weapon in his quest to get to an even win-loss record ahead of the team’s much-needed bye week.