After a few strong performances from the defense, it all came unraveled last week vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Over the past six weeks, the Colts defense was allowing 17 points per game, but without their best cornerback in Kenny Moore, the defense struggled to get stops and allowed a season-high 542 total yards and gave up 38 points.
This week’s challenge doesn’t get any easier for the Colts as they head to New Orleans to face the Saints on Monday Night football. The Saints have one of the best offenses the Colts will see this season, averaging 26.5 points per game, good for fifth in the NFL.
Let’s look at some keys for the Colts defense against this elite offense in the New Orleans Saints:
1. Find a way to get to Brees
The Saints are one of the best teams in the NFL at protecting their quarterback Drew Brees. New Orleans is 3rd in the NFL in both sacks given up (21) and QB hits allowed (49) but in one of their losses this season they allowed six sacks to the Atlanta Falcons, and three were too defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
According to the Saints’ injury report from Thursday, tackle Terron Armstead and guard Andrus Peat did not practice due to various injuries. New Orleans’ offensive line will be banged up going into Monday Night so look for guys like Justin Houston and Denico Autry to try to get to Brees early and often.
2. Find a way to limit Michael Thomas
He is arguably the best receiver in the NFL, Michael Thomas is on a record-setting pace this season. Going into Week 15, Thomas has 121 catches, 1,424 yards, and seven touchdowns. If Thomas averages seven receptions over the next three games he will pass Marvin Harrison’s record for most receptions in a season (143).
With a lot of the Indianapolis secondary banged up going into this game, Matt Eberflus might have to shy away from his morals and look to run a double team, blanket coverage on Thomas. The Colts have been torched by big receivers this season, Deandre Hopkins, Mike Evans, Julio Jones, and Keenan Allen, and Thomas might be the next to join that list.
3. Create turnovers
The Saints are the best team in the NFL is not turning the ball over. A lot of that is due to the scheme where it’s a lot of quick passes, but it also boils down to the quarterback, Brees is very good at knowing watch coverage the defense is in and finding the open target.
Indianapolis will need to find a way to keep up offensively, and if the defense can help out like they have the last few weeks and create a turnover or two and put the offense in a good spot to get points, that could go a long way in the Colts trying to upset the Saints on Monday night.
