Following their big divisional win over the Houston Texans, the Indianapolis Colts are back in action as they’ll face the Denver Broncos in Week 8. Regardless of what their records are, this looming matchup between the Colts and Broncos will feature two of the league’s better red-zone offense and defense.
As demonstrated against the Texans in Week 7, the Colts know how to finish drives when down there. All four of their trips ended in touchdowns and so far this season, the Colts is ranked sixth in red-zone touchdown percentage at 65.2%. This kind of success will be challenged against a Broncos defense, who hasn’t surrendered a red-zone touchdown since Week 4.
Here are three, key matchups to watch in the Colts’ Week 8 bout against the Broncos:
QB Jacoby Brissett vs. OLB Von Miller
This particular matchup will be highlighted on every offensive snap for the Colts on Sunday. Even though the Colts’ offense is capable of implementing various gameplans and succeeding with them, they will not take their eye on off of pass rusher Von Miller; as the future Hall of Famer only needs one play to flip the game upside down.
Whether it’s actually pressuring Jacoby Brissett or drawing enough attention to himself in order to create better opportunities for his teammates, Miller’s presence will rarely (if not ever) be silenced during a game. It will be very important for the Colts, especially Brissett, to know where No. 58 is lined up and what can be done to slow him down pre-snap.
Brissett enters Week 8, just one passing touchdown (14) behind the league leaders (Patrick Mahomes, Matt Ryan, and Russell Wilson all have 15).
WR Courtland Sutton vs. Colts’ secondary
Although the Colts’ secondary is likely to be at full strength on Sunday, they still have a tough defensive assignment on their hands. Courtland Sutton has been emerging one of the league’s better offensive targets and will play a huge role in helping the Broncos’ offense go to work against the Colts.
After producing a solid rookie season in 2018, which included 704 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns, Sutton is on great pace to top those numbers. The 6-foot-4 product from SMU has produced 36 catches, 564 receiving yards and three touchdowns through his first seven games of this season.
Fortunately for the Colts, they have a number of defenders who they can throw at Sutton, between Pierre Desir, Rock Ya-Sin, and Kenny Moore. But the Colts must be prepared to face a target that’ll have a greater workload this weekend. In case you missed it, the Broncos traded away wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and Sutton averages almost eight targets per game.
RB Phillip Lindsay vs. Colts’ front seven
There are various ways for the Broncos’ offense to approach this Sunday’s game against the Colts. The Broncos could surprise everyone by deciding to be a pass-heavy team or they could do something more predictable, such as run the ball in hopes of controlling the clock and silencing Colts fans. But when knowing who they have at running back, I think the latter is their best option.
Phillip Lindsay has become such a viable and effective running back since his entry into the NFL one year ago. Besides rushing for over 1,000 yards as a rookie, the Colorado product is not only on pace to surpass that total, but he’s emerging as a contributor to the Broncos’ passing game. Through seven games this season, Lindsay has caught at least four passes four times.
So with that said, expect Lindsay to be very busy on Sunday. The Broncos will rely on their shifty yet bruising running back to make the Colts’ front seven work harder than they have before, in hopes of keeping it close and striking when it matters most in the fourth quarter.
