Keys to the Game
Colts
- Set the Tone Early with Richardson and Taylor in Rushing Attack
- Don’t Give Stroud Time in the Pocket
With Jonathan Taylor missing the first four games of the 2023 season and Anthony Richardson suffering a season ending injury in Week 5, there’s been less than 4 quarters of action with both on the field (Taylor also played limited snaps in Week 5). Essentially, we’ve still yet to see what the tandem looks like in lockstep. Richardson demonstrated great rushing abilities in his short rookie stint, recording 4 rushing touchdowns, and we know what Taylor looks like when healthy. Their combined rushing threat should be the strength of the Indianapolis offense, and needs to come through to open up the passing game. Houston’s secondary far outperformed its run defense unit last year, so it’s essential for the Colts to target them on the ground.
The other key for Indy is to get to Stroud as quickly as possible. The Texans have a litany of offensive weapons, including arguably the best wide receiver trio in the NFL in Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell. Second-year QB CJ Stroud has already shown that he possesses fantastic processing skills, so it is important for the Colts to disrupt that. If Stroud is generally comfortable in the pocket all game long, he’ll be able to pick the defense apart. The Colts, who did finish 5th in sacks last season, will look to prevent that from happening.
Texans
- Utilize Quick Passes to Get Offensive Weapons Involved
- Don’t get Killed on the Ground
The first thing that Houston has to focus on this week at Lucas Oil Stadium is to avoid getting shredded by Indy’s dangerous rushing attack. While the Colts need them to feast, the Texans need to limit Taylor and Richardson. In all reality, whichever way this battle swings will probably determine the winner on Sunday.
Houston’s offensive line will probably struggle this week. It was a lower-tier unit last season, and nothing was done this offseason to improve it. DTs DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart could cause real issues, so the Texans’ second key to the game is to utilize quick passes to mitigate the Colts’ defensive line pressure. With all of their talented weapons, a game plan revolved around getting the ball to receivers in space is far from a bad one.
What’s the Move?
Colts +3 (-115 DraftKings)
If I truly believe that the AR-JT attack is the game’s deciding factor, I have to take the Colts here at home, especially if they are getting points. I think that the Colts could win both battles in the trenches on Sunday, which would make things very difficult for Houston.