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INDIANAPOLIS โ A reeling Colts team has lost four straight, is coming off of the worst collapse in NFL history and was officially, mathematically eliminated from the NFL playoffs on Thursday night.
But Indianapolis interim coach Jeff Saturday is still making personnel moves, still trying to find a way to get the Colts back in the win column in the final game of the NFLโs Christmas week, taking on the Chargers at 8:15 p.m. on ESPNโs Monday Night Football.
Los Angeles (8-6) has been headed in the opposite direction of Indianapolis. The Chargers have won three of their last four behind young starting quarterback Justin Herbert, vaulting into playoff position in the hotly-contested AFC.
Indianapolis (4-9-1) has to stem the tide without its best offensive weapon, with a new starting quarterback and with a defense that has started to buckle under the strain of trying to carry the Coltsโ awful offense this season.
And despite all of the changes, there are still developments to watch.
1. Nick Foles is the third quarterback to get a shot at the Coltsโ starting job this season, and Indianapolis is hoping the veteranโs willingness to throw the ball downfield brings a vertical threat back to the offense. Former starting quarterback Matt Ryan was averaging just 6.4 air yards per intended throw, the second-lowest mark in the NFL, trailing only Arizona backup Colt McCoy. Because of that approach, Indianapolis has faced a string of defenses playing their safeties close to the line of scrimmage, and Saturday stressed that the Colts must start taking advantage.
2. When Foles pulled off one of the best backup stints of all time in Philadelphia, his success happened, in part, because of former Colts coach Frank Reichโs decision as the offensive coordinator to rework the offense to fit what Foles does best. According to Saturday, Indianapolis does not plan to make the same sort of changes to the offense this time around. On top of that, Foles hadnโt taken a snap with the starters until he was elevated into the role this week, and he has spent the entire regular season running the scout-team offense in practices, rather than playing in the Colts offense.
3. A banged-up Chargers defense has pedestrian numbers overall, but Los Angeles might have hit its stride in the past couple of weeks. Los Angeles has given up just 15.5 points and 251.5 yards per game in its last two appearances, taking down both the high-powered Miami offense and a slumping Tennessee offense. No matter whoโs at quarterback, Indianapolis has been one of the leagueโs worst offenses this season.
4. Los Angeles is better against the pass than the run. The Chargers rank 11th in the NFL in passing yards allowed (208.9 per game) and 20th in yards per attempt (6.76), but theyโve given up fewer than 200 passing yards in six of their last nine games, holding opponents to fewer than 6.6 yards per attempt in all of those games. Folesโ task, then is to overcome that defense and elevate a Colts passing offense that ranks 29th in the NFL in yards per attempt (5.85).
5. Veteran defensive end Khalil Mack leads Los Angeles with seven sacks in Joey Bosaโs absence, but the real threat against a Colts offensive line that has struggled to protect is the blitzing defenders the Chargers can bring. Strong safety Derwin James returned to practice this week, and if heโs playing Monday night, James has four sacks this season. Off-the-ball linebackers Drue Tranquill (4 sacks) and Kyle Van Noy (2) also bring the pressure.
6. The loss of Jonathan Taylor hurts badly this week. Los Angeles ranks 31st in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (5.35) and 28th in rushing (145.6 yards per game), making the Chargers an excellent target for the run-first, run-often offense Saturday and play-caller Parks Frazier have been using. With Taylor out, Indianapolis will rotate young backs Zack Moss and Deon Jackson, and even though Saturday wasnโt willing to name a starter, Frazier hinted at their potential usage earlier this week by saying heโd been impressed with Mossโ downhill ability. Jackson, on the other hand, has proven he can handle a receiving role.
ADVERTISING
7. Rookies Alec Pierce and Jelani Woods, the Coltsโ top two picks in Aprilโs draft, have been the teamโs best big-play weapons outside, but their impact has been hampered in recent weeks for different reasons. While Ryanโs reluctance to throw the ball downfield has hurt Pierce even though heโs on the field a lot, Woods hasnโt gotten a ton of chances in terms of playing time. If Indianapolis wants to get the ball downfield, the rookies offer the best opportunity.
8. Receiving tight end Kylen Granson did not practice Thursday because of an ankle injury. If he canโt go, Woods might get the snaps he needs; Granson wasnโt available against Pittsburgh, and Woods went off to the tune of eight catches and 98 yards in 41 snaps.
9. Herbert, one of the NFLโs brightest young stars at quarterback, has taken some criticism this season for a Chargers offense that has been middle of the road, ranking 12th in the NFL in yards (357.9 per game) and 14th in points (22.3), but the reality is Herbert is as dangerous as heโs ever been despite averaging an ugly 6.7 yards per attempt. Playing behind an injury-riddled offensive line, Herbert ranks second in the NFL with 4,019 yards this season, has thrown 21 touchdowns to just nine interceptions and is completing 67% of his passes. If heโs got time โ and sometimes even if he doesnโt โ Herbert can pick a defense apart.
10. The Chargers havenโt gotten much out of their running game. Running back Austin Ekeler leads the team with 95 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns in the passing game, but he has just 692 yards on the ground, averaging 4.2 yards per carry for the NFLโs 31st-ranked rushing offense. As good as the Colts run defense has been this season behind Grover Stewart, DeForest Buckner and Zaire Franklin, the obvious strategy for Los Angeles is to put the game in Herbertโs hands.
ADVERTISING
11. Herbert finally has a full complement of weapons at wide receiver, and the Chargersโ depth could test a Colts cornerback group that wonโt have Kenny Moore II. Veteran Keenan Allen (42 catches, 486 yards), big-play machine Mike Williams (48 catches, 693 yards) and breakout star Josh Palmer (66 catches, 714 yards) are a formidable trio.
12. Tight end Gerald Everett has been productive for Los Angeles, too. Everettโs 52 catches rank third on the team, and heโll be a challenge for safety Rodney McLeod and linebacker Bobby Okereke on third downs.
13. A Colts defensive line coming off of a seven-sack performance against Minnesota should have chances against a shaky Chargers offensive line that still doesnโt have Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater. Keep an eye on second-year pass rushers Dayo Odeyingbo, who had two sacks in a breakout game against Minnesota, and Kwity Paye, who has six sacks this year.
14. Undrafted Indianapolis kick returner Dallis Flowers has been electric, averaging an NFL-best 34.1 yards per return in the role so far, but the Chargers have excellent coverage units. Los Angeles ranks first in the NFL in covering punts (3.4 yards per return) and fourth against kickoffs (19.4).
15. By the same token, Chargers punt returner DeAndre Carter has been one of the leagueโs best, averaging 12.0 yards per return, and veteran Matt Haack has been inconsistent for the Colts this season. Indianapolis almost gave up a 51-yard punt return to the Vikings last week.
16. The Colts are starting games a little faster under Saturday. But theyโve been awful at finishing them, and itโs not just because Indianapolis has been out-scored 55-0 by the Cowboys and Vikings the past two weeks. Indianapolis has been outscored 83-9 in the fourth quarter since Saturday took over, and Los Angeles should feel comfortable in the second half, no matter the score.โ
Now, if you excuse me, I have some Charger memories to suppress.
Letโs win one for Mack.
And despite all of the changes, there are still developments to watch.
16. The Colts are starting games a little faster under Saturday. But theyโve been awful at finishing them, and itโs not just because Indianapolis has been out-scored 55-0 by the Cowboys and Vikings the past two weeks. Indianapolis has been outscored 83-9 in the fourth quarter since Saturday took over, and Los Angeles should feel comfortable in the second half, no matter the score.โ
This is good to know.
They might as well not have the 3rd quarter and move onto quarter #4 after the half.
My ability to watch the game tonight is in jeopardy due to Southwest Airlines, who canceled from MT back home to CA this morning. I'm forced to stay another day in Bozeman, and now I have dinner obligations tonight.
the Chargers have excellent coverage units. Los Angeles ranks first in the NFL in covering punts (3.4 yards per return) and fourth against kickoffs (19.4).
Wow. That's ... amazing. I didn't realize they were that good. There are almost no kickoff returns because Dicker (especially) and Hopkins kick it out of the end zone (which is fine with me), so that stat doesn't mean much, but the punt return shutdown is startlingly good.
My ability to watch the game tonight is in jeopardy due to Southwest Airlines, who canceled from MT back home to CA this morning. I'm forced to stay another day in Bozeman, and now I have dinner obligations tonight.
Ok Staley, this is where the rubber meets the road. The team has to come in, ready to play, especially with the high stakes of clinching a PO spot.
Got a beatable, but still dangerous and embarrassed colts squad that i think will come out hard.
i honestly think this will test the mettle of the coaching staff and team to be focused. Might need to weather the early storm and then grind out that win they should get.
Bolt up baby.
Agree. I want Staley to dial up the offense..... game plan should be to score over 40 points..... get rid of this boring run, dump off, and punt offense that just burns up clock and rarely scores TD's...
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