The Indianapolis Colts are in the heart of the AFC playoff race with just five games remaining and while there are some that have carried the team, there are others that need to step it up over the next month.
Some players may need to simply add a little bit more to what they were already doing. Others may need to improve their game greatly in order for the Colts to have a chance in the next five games.
Here are five Colts that must step up in the final five games:
QB Jacoby Brissett
With flashes of brilliance and confusing struggles alike, Brissett has to improve his game over the next month. The Colts’ passing attack has been almost non-existent in recent games and even though the offense revolves around the run, they have to be able to hit big plays in the passing game.
The lack of chunk plays this season has been a big reason why the Colts haven’t been able to win by more than one score. While it isn’t all on Brissett, he does deserve some of the blame. Despite having the tools to hit on deep balls, Brissett doesn’t seem as comfortable taking chances in tight windows.
Maybe Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni prefer him to take the more high-percentage throws, but he needs to be able to move the offense down the field at a higher rate than what has been happening lately.
RG Mark Glowinski
It hasn’t been a great showing for Glowinski this season. After signing a three-year deal in the offseason, the former fourth-round pick has regressed both in pass protection and in run blocking.
Whether its getting pushed back on a bullrush or misdiagnosing a stunt, Glowinski has been the weakest link on the Colts offensive line. If he can get back to his play in 2018, the entire offensive unit will be able to make improvements.
The Colts offensive line is still a strength, but Glowinski has to step up in the final stretch of games if Indy wants a shot at the playoffs.
TE Jack Doyle
This is less an indictment of what Doyle has done. Doyle needs to step up because the Colts are losing fellow tight end Eric Ebron to the injured reserve list with two ankle injuries. Now, Doyle has to step up in the passing game.
Though Ebron wasn’t having a strong season, he was still viewed as one of the top options in the Colts’ passing game. Doyle now needs to step into the bigger role of being a strong run-blocker and safety valve for Jacoby Brissett on short routes.
Doyle’s play hasn’t been an issue for the Colts this season, but he will need to step into a bigger role for the final five games as Indy makes a playoff push.
DT Denico Autry
The Colts pass rush has been better this season mostly thanks to the efforts of veteran defensive end Justin Houston. The rest of the group hasn’t been nearly as consistent, but Houston’s strong play has masked some of it.
A bit of concern comes from the interior where the Colts haven’t seen a whole lot of production from the pass rush in recent games. Autry, who is tabbed with being the pass-rushing defensive tackle, hasn’t recorded a sack since Week 2.
Just because he isn’t getting sacks doesn’t mean he isn’t playing well, but Autry hasn’t been getting in the backfield as often or collapsing the top of the pocket as expected from his 2018 season. The Colts need him to step up over the next five weeks in a big way.
CB Marvell Tell
Whether its an injury to the veteran Pierre Desir or fellow rookie Rock Ya-Sin, Tell has had to step up in a big way in recent weeks. The fifth-round pick is likely to continue seeing playing time as the third cornerback behind Desir and Kenny Moore.
The Colts secondary got torched by big plays in the Week 12 loss against the Houston Texans. Tell was a part of that allowing a 41-yard catch to Will Full down the sideline. The rookie has shown flashes enough to warrant optimism, and the Colts will need that to continue down the stretch.
With Ya-Sin potentially out this week and possibly more—we aren’t sure of his status—Tell will need to step up in a bigger role for a Colts defense that has some challenges in the coming weeks.
