[ad_1]
We are trying something a little different this week. I've talked to Chris Blystone of the SB Nation's Stampede Blue website about the team he's covering. The Colts are 2-1 and feel good about themselves. But they are not flawless. Here's Chris with more.
No matter what player at home can give you a handful of reasons why his team is doomed to a win in his next game, right? That's what you expect from opposing writers, especially those who are also fans of the team they are writing about.
I am not here to give you optimistic ideas, I am here to be real with you. This Colts team is in trouble Sunday, and here are 3 reasons.
Defense Pass
The Colts played both in men and in zones in 2019, much more than in 2018, where they were mainly using a version of the former Tampa 2 area. They were able to do so thanks back to safety, Malik Hooker, who was still working last year to recover from his ACL / MCL rift in his rookie season.
Hooker was lost for 4 to 6 weeks due to a meniscus tear last week, putting the back of this defense in a difficult position. The cover was not exactly what it was, but when you remove the best defender from the field and you replace him with a rookie whose best choice is the safety of the box, you inevitably encounter problems.
Now, the Colts will likely have more standard coverage than season 2. Derek Carr proved last year that he was able to move the ball effectively against that blanket, and there is no reason to think that will have changed with an extra year under Gruden's offense.
With Hooker set aside, the turns will have to be relieved and the safety of the recruits, Khari Willis, will have to shine brightly, otherwise Derek Carr will give them a headache.
Run Defense
Colts fans know this story well. We've spent years with fast, under-sized defensive linemen who can quickly get to the quarter. The problem is that they are too small to have a major impact on the current game, and that when you also have quick linebackers who are trying to fill the gaps and prevent the backs from coming back to the second level you end up with problems.
Add a dose of inexperience to the young seven-year-old group and the uncertainty about whether linebacker Darius Leonard could play Sunday because of his persistent concussion. So you have the recipe for a big day on the ground. Nobody can get out of his blockages, and you get free backs for big winnings and exhaust the defense.
The Colts have not proved their ability to systematically stop the race against committed teams. It is quite possible that they will miss their best safety to Malik Hooker, their best linebacker to Darius Leonard and their best defensive lineman. in Jabaal Sheard for this game. That's a problem, and I'm not sure the Colts will still be able to contain Josh Jacobs.
Large receivers
The Colts rely heavily on T.Y. Hilton at the receiver position. Hilton got the lion's share of the goals this season with 25. The second closest recipient is Deon Cain with 6. This is problematic because Hilton was the victim of a quad injury that he aggravated last week and that could hinder his involvement in the game plan.
While the Colts love to target their talented tight ends and half-lenghts, being able to face a viable threat on the outside is something they fought for outside of Hilton. The hope is that young guys like Deon Cain and Parris Campbell may be these things, but in the end, this potential has not yet manifested in the form of results.
Plus, for a new quarterback like Jacoby Brissett, there is a level of comfort with T.Y. Hilton that he just does not have with his other recipients. Their timing and understanding are much better than those he has with other people in the reception room. If the Raiders manage to block Hilton or if he is not able to play because of an injury, the passing game could be a fight for the Colts, especially away.
See my three reasons why the Raiders will lose to the Colts here
[ad_2]
Source link