The Indianapolis Colts lost a heartbreaking game against the Cleveland Browns last week, and now they are moving on and focusing on their Week 8 opponent.
The Colts’ offense has been almost impossible to stop. They are currently tied with Kansas City for sixth in points per game at 25.4. It’s a bit surprising that they are this high when you compare them to the other teams ranked around them. On the other hand, their defense ranks 30th in points per game given up at 27.3.
The only teams worse than them are the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. Not such good company for the Colts. As for this week’s opponent, New Orleans’ offense is ranked 21st at 19 points per game and their defense is ranked sixth at 18.1 points per game. This game could end up being a long day for the Colts. New Orleans’s pass defense ranks fourth, allowing just 187 yards per game, and their run defense ranks 12th, allowing 98.7 yards per game.
Gardner Minshew and the Colts’ offense just lit up the NFL’s best statistical defense last week. Could they do it for a second week in a row?
Here are four bold predictions for the Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans.
Alec Pierce will have four catches for 70 yards and a TD
Alec Pierce’s second season has not gone as anyone planned. He’s been surpassed as the team’s No. 2 receiver despite him still starting. And there are legitimate concerns about his ability to make catches.
He seems to have at least one drop a game. However, over the last two weeks, he’s had at least one impressive or important catch. Maybe most importantly his wide receiver coach, Reggie Wayne, has still been speaking positively about Pierce.
For the season Pierce is averaging 3.5 targets, two catches, and 28.9 yards per game. This is a far cry from last season when he averaged just under five targets, 2.5 catches and 37.1 yards per game. This week Pierce will have a breakout game and remind everyone why the Colts selected him with the 53rd overall pick in the 2022 draft.
Shaquille Leonard forces two turnovers, has double-digit tackles and sack
Shaquille Leonard has not looked anything like he did in his first four years, where he earned the nickname “The Maniac.” To be fair, he is returning from having two back surgeries last season. Last week marked back-to-back weeks with him having seven tackles. So maybe he’s starting to round into form.
This week the Colts defense could use some vintage Leonard as New Orleans offense ranks 16th with just nine turnovers. Meanwhile, the Colts’ defense ranks 14th in takeaways with 10. They had two last week and could have had at least two more. So, again, maybe this is a sign of things to come. This week Leonard returns to the form he had in his first four seasons.
Chris Olave and Michael Thomas each have eight catches for 80 yards
New Orleans has arguably two of the best zone beaters at wide receiver in Chris Olave and Michael Thomas. Both guys are very good route runners with some ability after the catch as well. As of right now, the Colts rookie and one of their best cornerbacks, JuJu Brents is not expected to play. If he can’t go this would mean more playing time for Darrell Baker Jr. While he looked really good in the preseason, he has looked overmatched in the regular season.
Right now the Colts’ best cornerback is Kenny Moore and rookie Jaylon Jones is emerging as well. Unfortunately, the Colts have not been utilizing Moore on the outside but maybe that will change this week. Regardless, Olave and Thomas’ route running ability will be on full display this week as they both carve up a paltry secondary that is allowing 232.6 yards per game passing.
Taysom Hill terrorizes Colts’ red zone defense with three TDs
Taysom Hill has been the definition of a Swiss army knife for New Orleans. The team loves to line him up at tight end, running back, and quarterback. He’s at his most lethal when they get into the red zone. When there, they don’t have any trouble pulling Derrek Carr and inserting Hill at quarterback.
Last week, against Jacksonville when New Orleans did this they ended up calling quarterback run plays off tackle that resulted in touchdowns. This week Hill will get to go against a Colts defense that has had their struggles in preventing touchdowns. They will need to be prepared to face off against Hill in the red zone.
Considering last week he ran in two touchdowns it wouldn’t be surprising to see him fake a run and throw for a touchdown. Again, Hill is a red zone nightmare for opponents and he will be a nightmare for the Colts this week as he terrorizes them.
