The Colts have had a season filled with injuries and new experiences. There is a new head coach, offensive coordinator, franchise quarterback and backup quarterback. There was an injury to the top running back, Jonathan Taylor, and a season-ending injury to the franchise QB, Anthony Richardson.
The Colts have a clear road to the playoffs. Win this Saturday, and they are in; lose, and they are out. It does not get any easier than that, but the game itself will be anything but easy.
Divisional battle for the playoffs
On Saturday, the Colts will face their division rivals, the Houston Texans. A divisional game always has more intensity than a regular NFL game, but considering the position both teams are in and the similarities of their situations this season, this game has a playoff feel.
Like the Colts, the Texans have dealt with injuries and new additions.
A new head coach, like the Colts. A new rookie QB, like the Colts. Injuries to multiple players throughout the season, including to their rookie QB CJ Stroud, who is now healthy after a few weeks out. But, most importantly, like the Colts, if they win on Saturday, they are in the playoffs.
The Colts faced the Texans in the second game of the season and won 31-20, but there is not much to connect it to this game. Injuries to both teams, a whole season for both organizations to get used to new coaches and different circumstances make this game seem like two completely different teams playing.
āIf we want to win, we have to contain Stroud and not let him get off those explosive plays to his wide receivers that heās become known for this year, which will be tough because our secondary has really struggled this year,ā said Colts fan and Indianapolis native Kamby Beatty. āGetting the ground game and offensive line going early is huge too. Containing CJ Stroud, getting JT going early and the O-line keeping Minshew clean are the three biggest keys to getting the win this weekend.ā
Now, on Saturday, the playoff picture becomes a little more transparent, and football fans will see a game with two teams who could not be more motivated for a win.
An unsuccessful raid:
Last Sunday, the Colts were home against the Las Vegas Raiders in a need-to-win game to keep playoff hopes in their control. The Colts won 23-20 in a game where the close score did not match the game. At no point did the Colts fall behind. They were ahead by over a field goal until a garbage-time touchdown by the Raiders with three minutes left in the fourth.
The Coltsā backup quarterback, Gardner Minshew, has continuously performed well this season and did in this game, too. He finished 15 of 23 with 224 yards passing, a touchdown and no interceptions. It was a clean performance. The Coltsā run game excelled as well. Taylor ran for 96 yards and a touchdown. The team ran for a total of 134 yards.
It was a genuinely balanced game.
The win comes a week after a rough 29-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, a game where Minshew had an interception and no touchdowns. On the run side, the entire team ran for only 92 yards.
The win against the Raiders was a bounce-back game that made them better prepared for a show this Saturday night.
The Colts will look ahead to a divisional battle, where both teams can get to the playoffs with a win.
āItās a toss-up for real. I wish I had a side to pick, but I see both; but, if the Colts O-line plays well, weāll win,ā Colts fan and Indianapolis native Aaron Hawthrone said ahead of the game.
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