Chris Phillips
This week’s bold predictions is going to be the first since the Indianapolis Colts received back-to-back devastating blows to their team.
First, franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson decided to have season-ending surgery on his right AC joint. This is the biggest blow to the team not only this year but also for next year. The rookie player ends his first NFL season by playing in just four games and attempting just 84 passes.
One of the biggest draws for the fans was watching the development and progression of their young superstar player. This will have to wait until next season. There is very little question that Richardson will do everything that he can to be as prepared as possible for training camp next season.
Related: Love Fantasy Sports? Get Top FREE Insights From One Of The World’s Best Players Today!
Meanwhile, the other blow to the horseshoe was the announcement of defensive tackle Grover Stewart failing a drug test because he tested positive for PEDs.
This is terrible timing for both him and the team. First, the team could really use him this week and the rest of the season. Secondly, the 29-year-old is in a contract year and was possibly looking at his last big payday. Not to mention, the questions surrounding this incident. Such as, is this just a one-off situation or was he knowingly using something and got caught? Regardless, there is still an upcoming game against Cleveland this week and the Colts are preparing to get another win at home against a formidable defense.
Here are four bold predictions for the Indianapolis Colts vs. the Cleveland Browns.
Josh Downs goes for 105 yards and two touchdowns
Rookie wide receiver Josh Downs will have the best game of his rookie season this week. As of right now, it can easily be argued that his game in Tennessee was his best game.
- 6-of-6 receiving for 97 yards
This week, the Indianapolis Colts go against arguably the best defense in the NFL and without question the best pass defense. Cleveland’s defense comes into this game allowing just a total of 1,002 yards through six weeks. Their passing defense is allowing 121.4 yards per game with a 51.9% completion rate.
In fact, they have allowed only five players to surpass 55 yards receiving. Four of those five are division opponents and only one of the five receivers has surpassed 100 yards receiving.
- Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 76 yards
- Zay Flower WR, 56 yards
- Mark Andrews, TE, 80 yards
- Jaylen Warren, RB, 66 yards
- George Pickens, WR, 127 yards
Something to note, each one of these players, except for maybe Andrews, is noted for their yards-after-the-catch ability. Downs also shares that same characteristic and is the Colts’ best receiver in gaining yards after the catch. Starting quarterback Gardner Minshew and his offense are surely going to have their work cut out for them this week.
Related: Indianapolis Colts reportedly pursuing star receiver from Denver Broncos
Indianapolis Colts defense allows 130 rushing yards
The loss of Stewart is big not just literally but also physically. Stewart and DeForest Buckner have formed arguably the best two run-stuffing defensive tackles in the NFL. On the season, the Colts are only giving up 113.5 yards per game. This is good enough for 19th in the NFL. They’ve also allowed only two players to exceed 100 yards rushing, Lamar Jackson and Kyren Williams
- Lamar Jackson, QB, 101 yards
- Kyren Williams, RB, 103 yards
The Colts have only allowed one other player to exceed 75 yards and that was Travis Etienne back in Week 1. However, all of this was done with the very durable Stewart playing in every game. He will now be out for the next six. Meanwhile, Cleveland comes in with the fourth-ranked rushing offense, averaging 147 yards per game.
Related: Indianapolis Colts standing in Sportsnaut’s NFL power rankings
Jerome Ford rushes for 100 yards and a touchdown
When Cleveland lost its star running back Nick Chubb to a brutal and devastating knee injury, many outside of the organization thought it would be a major loss and hindrance to the success of the team. Well, like Colts former head coach Tony Dungy made famous “Next man up.” And in Cleveland’s case, that guy is Jerome Ford.
Ford is in his second year in the NFL and is having a fairly successful one, too. He’s averaging 54 yards a game, on 13 attempts, and netting four yards per rush. So far, he’s exceeded the century mark once and scored just one rushing touchdown as well. He does have two receiving scores as well but he’s not much in the passing game as he’s getting two and a half targets per game.
With the Indianapolis Colts missing the aforementioned Stewart this week, Ford will once again surpass 100 yards rushing and will also get this second rushing touchdown of the season. For the horseshoe fans, this could very well be a long game even if the time of it is shorter than average, with both teams wanting to run the ball a lot.
Matt Gay goes 5/5 on field goals
The current highest-paid kicker and one of the biggest offseason acquisitions, financially speaking, will have another day validating his contractual value. For some context, since not many people pay attention to the special teams. Cleveland’s special teams unit is the best in the NFL against opposing placekickers, allowing just 62.5% of made attempts.
This should come as very little surprise when you factor in that kicking in Cleveland is challenging enough with the wind coming off the lake. But former Colts special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone holds the same position in Cleveland. Considering he was passed over for the interim head coaching job last season and then again this offseason, you can’t help but know that he wants to exact some revenge on his former employer.
However, Gay has only missed one kick this season and it came in a home loss to the LA Rams. That was also the first game after he had an incredible performance in Baltimore. Points will most likely be at a premium for the guys in blue, so Gay will get many opportunities to make some kicks. And that’s exactly what he’ll do.
