Despite losing four out of their last five games, the Indianapolis Colts remain optimistic about their playoff chances as they return to the road for a Sunday matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers While both teams are only one win apart in the standings, their play has gone in different directions.
As the Colts lost all of their momentum from the first half of this season, the NFC South competitor has only gotten better in recent weeks. Following a string of tough, last-minute losses in October, the Buccaneers have won three out of their last four games and are attempting to grab the NFC’s final Wild Card spot.
Here are three, key matchups to watch in the Colts’ Week 14 bout:
WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin vs. Colts’ secondary
If there’s any duo of wide receivers who are the best together, it’s quite easily Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The dynamic duo has carried the Buccaneers’ offense this entire season at the tune of 1,100 receiving yards apiece, 140 combined catches and 16 total touchdowns.
Besides their great numbers, Evans and Godwin scare opposing secondaries because of their evolving skill-sets and legitimate size. Although Evans is bigger at 6-foot-5 and 231 pounds, Godwin is still fairly big himself (6-foot-1 and 209 pounds), thus allowing them to box out and outjump their defensive counterparts.
Entering Sunday’s game, the Colts already had an unproven secondary dealing with some injuries and they will be missing their most valuable slot corner/blitzer Kenny Moore II due to injuries. It’s going to be interesting to discover who, when, and how they’ll defend Evans/Godwin, as their current depth chart includes Pierre Desir, Marvell Tell, and Quincy Wilson—if made available to play.
QB Jacoby Brissett vs. Bucs’ pass rush
Even though the Buccaneers are in the same neighborhood as the Colts in terms of sack production (33-32), their front seven is better by just a little bit. Pass rusher Shaquil Barrett is the league leader in sacks with 14.5 and between their trenches is a formidable duo of defensive tackles in Ndamukong Suh and Vita Vea, who anchor their second-best rushing defense.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett will probably encounter those guys quite a bit on Sunday, and it will determine whether or not he is successful. After having a hot start to this season, the Colts QB1 has slowed down because of a nagging knee injury, his own targets being injured, and at times, spotty play-calling.
For JB7 to return to being the quarterback, that actually led the league in passing touchdowns at one point, he has to quickly find his rhythm, make the right reads, and complete those big throws downfield. If there are any saving graces for Brissett, it’s the Buccaneers’ secondary allowing the second-most passing yards per game (281 YPG) and third-most passing touchdowns (27).
RB Marlon Mack vs. Bucs’ second-ranked rushing defense
When it comes to any matchup between a good rushing offense and a good rushing defense, every single play counts, whether it’s in the moment or later on. Despite missing the last two games, Colts running back Marlon Mack is still in the top 10 for rushing yards and is 138 yards away from crossing the 1,000-yard mark.
While many of us believe Mack will ultimately accomplish this feat, the Bucs won’t be trying to help him on Sunday. By only allowing 76 rushing yards per game, the NFC South competitor is by far the second-best rushing defense across the league, as they’re one of two teams to surrender less than 80 rushing yards per game.
With Suh and Vea being their defensive tackles while having a linebacker corps that is incredibly athletic, the Colts’ rushing attack faces its greatest challenge to date this season. But it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t run the ball, even if they’re being stopped.
At some point, the Colts would have to believe Mack, Jonathan Williams, or Jordan Wilkins will tire out the Bucs’ front seven and eventually spring free for a big run.
