With the ‘winless’ monkey off of their backs, and their eyes set on breaking .500, the Colts are currently in Great Britain seeking victory over their AFC South rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Having given up the third most points per game in the NFL at 31.7, Indy will try to take advantage over their division rivals who are not only 0-3, but are sporting 18 points per game, which is tied for 26th in the NFL.
Trying to gain any advantage possible, the Colts have been working tirelessly to make sure that their players will be physically prepared to conquer the impending jetlag that comes along with playing games in London, England. While the Colts will assuredly be appreciative of playing in the historic Wembley Stadium, they have made it clear that they are here for both business and vengeance.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
With new breaking earlier this week that OLB Trent Cole would be heading to the Injured Reserve, leaving the Colts with an even more unimpressive pass rush, the Colts will be looking to generate both tremendous coverage against a talented receiving corps to compensate for a weaker front seven.
However, not all is doom and gloom defensively for Indy, as their young defensive end Henry Anderson did not appear on the injury report this week, and was a full participant.
“Henry is a grinder. He is all ball from the top of his head to the bottom of his shoes. He’s going to take advantage of every opportunity that he has. He saw one there and with great effort and technique early in the down he was able to impact the play,” said defensive coordinator Ted Monachino on the significance of Anderson to their banged up defense. “Even as a rotational player, Henry Anderson makes us better.”
With corner Patrick Robinson set to make his return upon his recovery from an early concussion, the Colts will look to Vontae Davis to continue to heal and regain his elite status that earned him back to back Pro Bowl honors in 2014 and 2015.
“When he’s healthy and when he’s prepared and tuned in, he’s going to be able to take guys away. Where is he right now? I’d say that he’s a good solid number one. I don’t think he’s a dominant number one yet, but I think he’s on his way to getting there,” said Monachino on the current state of Davis.
A Look at Tomorrow
To find a Colts player who is bitter about the colossal 51-16 blowout that occurred the last time these two teams squared off, you do not have to look far. However, it was in 2014 that Luck was under center against the Jaguars, and there has been much turnover to account for. Although the Jaguars are no strangers to playing in London, there is a large chip on the shoulders of many Colts to seek vengeance over a team that has been accused of running up the score on the embattled 2015 Colts.
One of the overwhelmingly obvious keys for the Colts to edge out the Jags tomorrow will be focused around Luck being safe with the football. Although the Colts have been playing with a substandard defense, Luck has not helped them in any regard with his untimely mistakes.
“Turnovers are something that we preach and don’t tolerate and don’t want. Andrew understands that, he knows that. He is the first one to come back and say, ‘I shouldn’t have done that I know that.’ But they are going to happen,” said Pagano on the concern of Luck’s turnover filled season.
Perhaps the Colts will turn to their dynamic duo in Luck and TY Hilton, who seem to be in midseason form after the two connected on 8 of 11 targets for 174 yards and a lead-grabbing touchdown.
Hilton appears to be in stride not only on the field, but in the locker room as well according to Pagano as he gushed about his prized Pro Bowl receiver, “He’s a great mentor, he’s a great leader, he’s great in the locker room. He’s just really matured and grown over the years and seeing him come in from his rookie season until now is, you know he’s done a great job and he’s a great pro.”
We’ll see soon enough if the Colts passing game will be enough to lift them into contention for first place in the AFC South.
All quotes courtesy of the Colts PR Department.
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