Greatness, or Disaster ??? The Chargers Game Could Send the Colts in Either Direction

[Colts And Orioles]

o


As happy as I am with the Colts' 5-1 start to this season, I am also weary of a potential crash, as this article asserts is a possibility.

That said, the article also asserts that the Colts are only a step away from greatness, as well ...... and that the game against the Chargers could potentially push the team's general direction one way or the other.



The Colts Are One Spark Away From Everything Clicking or Collapsing

(By Richard Rouse)

https://horseshoeheroes.com/indianap...ing-collapsing



**********************************



After six weeks of NFL football, who could've predicted the Indianapolis Colts would be leading the AFC South, have the best record in the AFC, and be tied for the best record in the NFL? Perhaps I was on to something when I wrote a preseason article on this being a rebound year for Indy.

Week 7 provides a significant road test as the 5-1 Colts take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are also a division leader and sit one game behind the Colts for the top spot in the AFC with a 4-2 record. Both teams have high expectations and are looking at this matchup as a turning point in the season.

The Los Angeles defense ranks seventh overall, allowing an average of 293.8 yards per game to opposing offenses. The Colts' offense ranks fourth in the league, averaging 376.8 yards per game. Indianapolis also leads the league in points scored (194) and points per game (32.3). Something will have to give in this game. Indianapolis has shown toughness already this season.


A Season-Defining Game Awaits in Week 7 for the Indianapolis Colts


A victory against a strong Chargers team, on the road, could be where everything clicks for Indianapolis. The Colts would then head back home to face a division rival in the Tennessee Titans, who are abysmal and whom the Colts already handled on the road 41-20 in Week 3. A season sweep of the Titans would place Indy at 7-1, nearing the midway point of the season.

Losing to the Chargers would not only drop the team to 5-2 but also make the upcoming four-game stretch appear more daunting.

After facing the Titans at home, Indianapolis would hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, head overseas to take on the Atlanta Falcons in London, and come out of the bye week to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road.

This is why the game in Los Angeles could be the spark for a successful season or the catalyst for an implosion. A statement win in Week 7 proves to the league the Colts are for real and a serious playoff contender. Tasting defeat, however, puts more pressure on the four games to follow and could spell disaster if Indianapolis doesn't remain focused.

o

[CletusPyle]

Wish we had Kenny and Ward.......

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by CletusPyle

Wish we had Kenny and Ward.......

And Downs.

The good news, it sounds like Bolts are missing their top 3 linemen and top 2 running backs. Though that group put up some big run numbers last week.

Not only do I wish we had the three guys mentioned, I wish we had someone that could get in the fucking backfield off the snap!

[Oldcolt]

This seems like a horseshit take.

[DragonTails]

Just stopping in to say eat shit Pittsburgh. And also, suck it. That is all.

[Colts And Orioles]

Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles

o


As happy as I am with the Colts' 5-1 start to this season, I am also weary of a potential crash, as this article asserts is a possibility.

That said, the article also asserts that the Colts are only a step away from greatness, as well ...... and that the game against the Chargers could potentially push the team's general direction one way or the other.



The Colts Are One Spark Away From Everything Clicking or Collapsing

(By Richard Rouse)

https://horseshoeheroes.com/indianap...ing-collapsing



**********************************



After six weeks of NFL football, who could've predicted the Indianapolis Colts would be leading the AFC South, have the best record in the AFC, and be tied for the best record in the NFL? Perhaps I was on to something when I wrote a preseason article on this being a rebound year for Indy.

Week 7 provides a significant road test as the 5-1 Colts take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are also a division leader and sit one game behind the Colts for the top spot in the AFC with a 4-2 record. Both teams have high expectations and are looking at this matchup as a turning point in the season.

The Los Angeles defense ranks seventh overall, allowing an average of 293.8 yards per game to opposing offenses. The Colts' offense ranks fourth in the league, averaging 376.8 yards per game. Indianapolis also leads the league in points scored (194) and points per game (32.3). Something will have to give in this game. Indianapolis has shown toughness already this season.


A Season-Defining Game Awaits in Week 7 for the Indianapolis Colts


A victory against a strong Chargers team, on the road, could be where everything clicks for Indianapolis. The Colts would then head back home to face a division rival in the Tennessee Titans, who are abysmal and whom the Colts already handled on the road 41-20 in Week 3. A season sweep of the Titans would place Indy at 7-1, nearing the midway point of the season.

Losing to the Chargers would not only drop the team to 5-2 but also make the upcoming four-game stretch appear more daunting.

After facing the Titans at home, Indianapolis would hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, head overseas to take on the Atlanta Falcons in London, and come out of the bye week to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road.

This is why the game in Los Angeles could be the spark for a successful season or the catalyst for an implosion. A statement win in Week 7 proves to the league the Colts are for real and a serious playoff contender. Tasting defeat, however, puts more pressure on the four games to follow and could spell disaster if Indianapolis doesn't remain focused.

o

o



INDIANAPOLIS COLTS llllllllllllll - llt38

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS lllllll - llt24

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Indianapolis Colts Steal Headlines in Strong Start

(By Clay Maxfield)

https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/...eal-headlines/



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ARGUABLY, THE biggest headline of the NFL this season has been the resurgence of the Indianapolis Colts. Step inside the team’s locker room, and the reasons for the turnaround are everywhere, from Daniel Jones’ comeback campaign with the Horseshoe to Jonathan Taylor’s MVP-caliber season to the newly infused defensive identity that has powered the Colts’ dominant 7-1 start at the top spot in the AFC South. Here’s the breakdown.


Daniel Jones' Domination


For an example of how Indy has set the tone on offense, look no further than quarterback Daniel Jones, who is in his first season with Indianapolis after spending the previous six years with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings.

Statistically, Jones has started the first half of the season alongside some of the league leaders behind center. At fourth in the NFL with the most passing yards (2,062), Jones is tied for 11th place in the league with the most touchdowns (13).

Per ESPN, Jones sits at second in the league in quarterback rating, a statistic found when incorporating all of a quarterback’s contributions to winning, but what is arguably the most important turn in his play this season has been his ability to take care of the ball.

Coming into his first season with the Colts, one of the biggest question marks was around his ball security after being something of a cautionary tale at times from the pocket. Now with just three interceptions to his name this year, the first of which didn’t come until week four, Jones’ ability looks to have been bolstered by the improved play of an offensive line that has given him the time needed to utilize what has easily been the best set of offensive weapons he’s had at his disposal throughout his entire career.

After their recent victory against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Jones reflected on what has clicked most when it comes to his play and his head coach, Shane Steichen.

“As far as it goes with Shane, the communication has been really good,” he says. “I’ve talked about it before, just throughout the week. Understanding how he wants the game to be played, how he sees it unfolding, it gives me a good idea how to handle certain situations and make decisions.”


Jonathan Taylor’s Blossoming MVP Campaign


For all the good that Jones has done for the Colts, Jonathan Taylor is the optimal 1-2 punch for an Indy team that looked one-dimensional on offense for many years.

For so long, the brunt of the offensive load has been on the shoulders of the five-year vet as the carousel of quarterbacks continued to turn for them. But now, Taylor has put up numbers reminiscent to his sophomore campaign in which he allotted 1,811 yards total along with 18 TDs.

“I think I’m able to be more efficient,” Taylor says regarding his play this season compared to other strong showcases in the past. “I know that year [2021], there were a lot of touches, but it’s now about how can I be more explosive with less touches? We’ve got a lot of players making plays, so everybody’s going to get the ball, and that makes us so lethal. What can you do? How efficient can you be when your number is called?”

Now headlining the NFL in total yards (850) and touchdowns (12), he has made an already formidable offense look nearly unstoppable.

And with each carry that Taylor has, it becomes nearly crucial downs for opposing defenses as he averages 5.9 yards per rush attempt.

Throughout the league, Taylor has solidified himself as the NFL’s scoring leader with 86 points scored, while the next 14 players are kickers with Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys as the second highest with 74.


Indy Defense Steps Up When Needed Most


Steichen may call the plays for the Indy offense, but when asked what he believes lies in the DNA of a championship team, his first response came regarding the defensive side of the ball.

Steichen notes the importance of getting takeaways on defense. “And when we do get one, going and scoring on offense with it is big,” he says, adding that “being multiple, being aggressive defensively is huge.”

And while there’s still room to grow for Indy’s defense, what they’ve shown throughout eight contests is the ability to respond when they were needed most.

To date, the Colts hold teams to the sixth-best point total per game with 19.3. Whether it’s interceptions (tied for second in the NFL) or sacks (tied for fifth, as well as a tie for third in total takeaways), their defense has been the ignition to the fiery offense.

And as cornerback Kenny Moore recently returned to the lineup and gave their secondary a much-needed boost, the trajectory only goes up from here as Jaylon Jones and Chavarius Ward are nearing the field once more as they look to come back from injuries.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly From the Indianapolis Colts at the Bye Week

(By Paul Bretl)

https://coltswire.usatoday.com/story...k/87290358007/




***********************************



The Indianapolis Colts are on their bye week, and sit at 8-2 on the season.

Without a game being played this week, let's take a look back at the Colts' start to the season with the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all.



The Good from Colts' First 10 Games


The Offense: l For the most part, every aspect of this unit is rolling through the first 10 games. The Colts will enter their bye week first in points per game and first in yards per play.

Jonathan Taylor: l While we just mentioned the offense as a whole, we have to mention Taylor specifically. Taylor has rushed for 1,139 yards, which is the most in the NFL by over 200 yards. He also leads all running backs in attempts, yards per carry average, and touchdowns.

Forced Takeaways: l There have been some up-and-down moments defensively this season, but this unit just about always seems to come away with the crucial turnover. The Colts have currently generated the fifth-most takeaways this season.

Red-Zone Offense: l This isn't a surprise given how many points the Colts' offense can put up, but this unit has been terrific in the red zone. Indianapolis ranks fifth in red zone success rate, scoring a touchdown on nearly 70% of their visits.



The Bad from Colts' First 10 Games


3rd Down Defense: l The Colts' defense has struggled to get off the field on third downs this season, allowing opponents to convert 42.7% of their attempts, which ranks 27th in the NFL. Of course, this then extends drives and could lead to points.

Turnovers Trending the Wrong Way: l For the most part, the Colts' offense was very good at taking care of the football. However, that hasn't been the case during the last two games. Indianapolis would turn it over six times against Pittsburgh and then twice against Atlanta, but it could have been four turnovers had the Colts not recovered two fumbles.



The Ugly from Colts' First 10 Games


I got nothing here. Like any team, there are areas to improve upon and clean up, but I wouldn't put anything into the ugly football category. The Colts are 8-2 and were at the top of the AFC playoff standings prior to Week 11.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles

o


As happy as I am with the Colts' 5-1 start to this season, I am also weary of a potential crash, as this article asserts is a possibility.

That said, the article also asserts that the Colts are only a step away from greatness, as well ...... and that the game against the Chargers could potentially push the team's general direction one way or the other.



The Colts Are One Spark Away From Everything Clicking or Collapsing

(By Richard Rouse)

https://horseshoeheroes.com/indianap...ing-collapsing



**********************************



After six weeks of NFL football, who could've predicted the Indianapolis Colts would be leading the AFC South, have the best record in the AFC, and be tied for the best record in the NFL? Perhaps I was on to something when I wrote a preseason article on this being a rebound year for Indy.

Week 7 provides a significant road test as the 5-1 Colts take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are also a division leader and sit one game behind the Colts for the top spot in the AFC with a 4-2 record. Both teams have high expectations and are looking at this matchup as a turning point in the season.

The Los Angeles defense ranks seventh overall, allowing an average of 293.8 yards per game to opposing offenses. The Colts' offense ranks fourth in the league, averaging 376.8 yards per game. Indianapolis also leads the league in points scored (194) and points per game (32.3). Something will have to give in this game. Indianapolis has shown toughness already this season.


A Season-Defining Game Awaits in Week 7 for the Indianapolis Colts


A victory against a strong Chargers team, on the road, could be where everything clicks for Indianapolis. The Colts would then head back home to face a division rival in the Tennessee Titans, who are abysmal and whom the Colts already handled on the road 41-20 in Week 3. A season sweep of the Titans would place Indy at 7-1, nearing the midway point of the season.

Losing to the Chargers would not only drop the team to 5-2 but also make the upcoming four-game stretch appear more daunting.

After facing the Titans at home, Indianapolis would hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, head overseas to take on the Atlanta Falcons in London, and come out of the bye week to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road.

This is why the game in Los Angeles could be the spark for a successful season or the catalyst for an implosion. A statement win in Week 7 proves to the league the Colts are for real and a serious playoff contender. Tasting defeat, however, puts more pressure on the four games to follow and could spell disaster if Indianapolis doesn't remain focused.

o

o


(6 WEEKS LATER)


The Colts have gone 3-3 since this thread was started, including losing 3-out-of their last 4 ...... so they are in a somewhat similar position that they were in when they headed into the Chargers game in southern California ...... they were 5-1 at that time, but they still had not convinced all of the critics that they were indeed more than the middling team that they have been for most of the seasons since the retirement of Andrew Luck.


Losing 3-out-of-4 games will cause many fans to panic and/or declare the season dead, but that is not necessarily the reality of the situation ...... the Colts are still 8-4 overall, and 3 of those losses went right down to the wire.

The Colts may or may not fold down the stretch, but I don't think that it's a foregone conclusion ...... especially since this team has only had one really bad game so far this season, against the Steelers. They have had 2 or 3 slightly sub-par games (including the win over the Cardinals), but only one really bad one.


Today's game against the Texans was big ........ and the Colts lost ...... subsequently, next week's game against the Jaguars is even bigger. In June of 1978, Washington Bullets head coach Dick Motta said before Game Three of the NBA Finals against the Seattle Super-Sonics that it was a big game, as the series tied at 1 game apiece. The Bullets lost that game, to go down 2 games to 1. Before Game Four, Mott said l "Game Three WAS big ...... and now, Game Four is even bigger." l The Bullets won Game Four, evened the series at 2 games apiece, and got themselves right back into the hunt for the title.

o

[Hoopsdoc]

Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles

o


(6 WEEKS LATER)


The Colts have gone 3-3 since this thread was started, including losing 3-out-of their last 4 ...... so they are in a somewhat similar position that they were in when they headed into the Chargers game in southern California ...... they were 5-1 at that time, but they still had not convinced all of the critics that they were indeed more than the middling team that they have been for most of the seasons since the retirement of Andrew Luck.


Losing 3-out-of-4 games will cause many fans to panic and/or declare the season dead, but that is not necessarily the reality of the situation ...... the Colts are still 8-4 overall, and 3 of those losses went right down to the wire.

The Colts may or may not fold down the stretch, but I don't think that it's a foregone conclusion ...... especially since this team has only had one really bad game so far this season, against the Steelers. They have had 2 or 3 slightly sub-par games (including the win over the Cardinals), but only one really bad one.


Today's game against the Texans was big ........ and the Colts lost ...... subsequently, next week's game against the Jaguars is even bigger. In June of 1978, Washington Bullets head coach Dick Motta said before Game Three of the NBA Finals against the Seattle Super-Sonics that it was a big game, as the series tied at 1 game apiece. The Bullets lost that game, to go down 2 games to 1. Before Game Four, Mott said l "Game Three WAS big ...... and now, Game Four is even bigger." l The Bullets won Game Four, evened the series at 2 games apiece, and got themselves right back into the hunt for the title.

o

This team will fold. They had to win the game today and they didn’t.

I REALLY hope I’m wrong but I’m afraid I’m not.