Colts Notebook: Which Players Will Breakthrough In Week Four?
Week Four is here and brings a familiar team, the Tennessee Titans, to Lucas Oil. Which Colts players should make the biggest impact?
Week Four is another divisional game. This week, the Colts take on the Tennessee Titans. In the previous two seasons, the Titans have held the crown as AFC South champions. Both teams are coming off much-needed wins. Which Colts players will step up and shine in Indy on Sunday?
Over/Under: 499.5 Jelani Woods yards as a rookie? – Powered By PickUp
Colts Rookies Spotlighted
Rookie wide receiver Alex Pierce and tight end Jelani Woods had big games last week. Although he recorded just three receptions, Pierce’s catches came at crucial moments. Alec showed his toughness in this game and showed that he is a big possession target. Can he replicate last week’s game while adding more receptions and a possible end zone target? (I think so! ) My prediction for Pierce is seven receptions and over 80 yards.
Week Three was the welcoming party for Jelani Woods. With two touchdowns scored last week, he can build on his success. Give this kid a chance. I see Woods as the (literal) biggest target the team has on offense. Frank Reich needs to put Woods in the game more often. He can create matchup problems, block, and he can fight for extra yards.
Will he be tight end one on the depth chart this week? (Maybe). Look for Woods to snatch another touchdown over a would-be-defender’s head. He can be penciled in for five to six catches with 50 to 60 yards as well.
A round of applause is needed for these young men as they have shown to the fans and the rest of the league that the Colts have options, and they are just getting started.
Colts rookie WR @alecpierce wins this 1-on-1 🔥 📺: #KCvsIND on CBS 📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Z1sK0UFTvK pic.twitter.com/MXYM02flal — NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2022
Colts Gain Confidence On Defense
It was a big game from the defense as a whole last Sunday! Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were not themselves. Travis got his touchdown early in the game, but for the most part, was covered well. Colts defense kept the pressure on Patrick Mahomes for the better part of the game. The Chiefs were three for ten on third downs, which has been a weakness of this Colts defense thus far.
This week, the team needs to keep that fiery energy up as Derrick Henry comes into town. (Hopefully, Shaquille Leonard can play in his first game of the season.) They should build on their tackling, which was much better as a group.
Knowing what’s in front of them, the defensive line should continue the push seen against the Chiefs. Yannick Ngakoue found his way to the quarterback recording his first sack of the season and two quarterback hits. Deforest Buckner, Kwity Paye, and Grover Stewart all seemed more motivated and seem to be creating the type of production you would expect from the group. Also, there was some pressure was on the corners and linebackers last week, but they held up.
This week the defensive line has the spotlight on them. Continuing to knock quarterbacks off their spots and out of rhythm should be their keys to the game. More importantly, Derrick Henry is the focal point of this Titans offense and pressure needs to be applied all over. The Colts can contain Henry by doing the things that got them here – being top three in rush defense this season. (It’s a different story with the pass defense – the unit is in the middle of the pack, ranked seventeenth, averaging a whopping 238 yards a game.)
Assuming Shaq Leonard is back, the defense should step it up some more. I predict the defensive front will have three sacks and a pair of interceptions. Derrick Henry will be short of reaching the 100-yard mark again this week.
Thank you Terrell Suggs for reminding everyone that the #Colts defense also played the game.@craigcartonlive pic.twitter.com/TFTGgt0DIN — Lawrence Owen (@Colts_Law) September 27, 2022
The team took a huge step forward in the victory over the Chiefs. Indy played with a sense of urgency and aggression on both sides of the ball. Matt Ryan should step it up and spread the ball a little more. The coaches need to get Jelani Woods in the game early and often. On the defensive side, players like Stephon Gilmore, who showed glimpses of his former Pro Bowl abilities last week, should also step up. Team football will always win, and Week Four will show that the Colts will continue to build and get better.
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Over/Under: 7.5 Buckner sacks in ’22-23? – Powered By PickUp
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