It won’t be easy, but it can be done.
The Indianapolis Colts are not favored in their matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Most people wouldn’t expect them to be. The Bills come in at 7-2, and the Colts are coming off a very sloppy and uninspiring loss against the Vikings. All is not lost on the season for the Colts, but things are starting to enter the danger zone, especially if they fail to win on Sunday. Just because it will be tough, it doesn’t mean it is impossible. There are a few things the Colts will need to do to ensure they have a fighter’s chance.
Establish the running game
The Colts need Jonathan Taylor and the rushing attack get back on track. Taylor struggled to find any room to run last week, and it greatly hampered the team’s ability to get any consistent rhythm. Taylor can be a rockstar, and the Colts need him to show out against the Bills who are susceptible to giving up some decent yards on the ground. Taylor got his big contract. It is time to show he was worth the money and can help carry the load for the offense. The lack of Anthony Richardson and the threat he provides on the ground is gone, but Taylor will have to find a way.
Contain Josh Allen
If the Colts can find a way to keep Josh Allen off his “A” game, they will be in good position. That is easier said than done, however. Allen has over 2,000 yards passing and seventeen touchdowns. Throw in three rushing touchdowns, and he is a serious threat to burn you multiple ways. He isn’t perfect, though. He has had some clunkers this season in which he failed to break 56% completions or 180 yards. Just like any quarterback, disrupting his rhythm goes a long way. The Colts got a little more creative on the defensive side against Minnestota, and it paid dividends early on. If they can put that together for a whole game instead of just a half, it would be extremely effective.
Get Flacco going
Joe Flacco looked lost out there last week. While the first drive may have ended on a fumble, it was one of the more promising ones of the night. Flacco struggled to get the ball down the field and ended the night with three sacks, an interception, and only 179-passing yards. That won’t get the job done. The only thing that kept the Colts in the game against the Vikings were missed field goals and a first half defensive score. Otherwise, that one would have been much worse. With Michael Pittman Jr. out, things won’t get any easier, but Flacco has to protect the ball and find a way to push it down the field. The Bills are going to get their points. Flacco and the offense need to find a way to keep pace.
The Colts return home. That is their advantage. After that, the Bills hold a lot of the cards. If the Colts want to have any shot at a postseason berth, this game is looking close to a must win. This has been a difficult stretch, but the Colts need to find a way to pick up a win. Stacking losses in the middle of the year doesn’t bode well for later when the margin of error disappears. Do the three things above and the Colts will find themselves in a very winnable situation.
