This week, the Indianapolis Colts are set to clash with the New Orleans Saints in a highly anticipated NFL matchup. As both teams gear up for Sunday’s game, we turned to Chris Shepherd, an expert from Stampede Blue, to get an inside perspective on the Colts. This in-depth preview, brought to you by streetsounds.net, dives into key aspects of the Colts, including the electrifying Anthony Richardson, the running back situation, and their receiving corps, offering fans a comprehensive analysis before the game.
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Anthony Richardson: The Future is Bright in Indianapolis
Question: Anthony Richardson’s season may be over due to injury, but his impact in the initial games was undeniable. What aspects of his play excited you most about the Colts’ future, and where do you see room for growth as he heads into his second year?
Chris Shepherd: Coming into the draft, I was a strong believer in Richardson’s potential, perhaps more so than many others. He wasn’t the raw project some portrayed him to be. His college film at Florida showcased a lot of desirable traits for a young quarterback. However, there were definitely areas needing refinement. Even with my high expectations, I was surprised by how quickly he progressed. His footwork has improved significantly, leading to much better accuracy on short passes compared to his 2022 season. And his deep ball accuracy is truly impressive. Think about that incredible 40-yard jump pass he threw against the Rams while under pressure from Aaron Donald – it was perfectly on target. He’s also demonstrated a good understanding of defenses, working through his progressions and making smart decisions with the ball.
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The areas for improvement are more about fine-tuning than major overhauls. Overall accuracy, for instance, is still tied to footwork consistency. While he’s made huge strides since 2022, continued polishing will come with time and repetition. Mentally, he’s shown he’s not overwhelmed by the NFL game, but game experience will further sharpen his decision-making. He already works through his reads effectively, sometimes reaching his third or fourth option. With a bit more patience, he’ll learn to identify even later developing routes downfield. These are the nuances that game time teaches young players.
What truly excites me about Anthony Richardson was evident in the Rams game. Down 23-0, he led the team on three consecutive scoring drives – 75 yards in 4 plays, 62 yards in 6 plays, and 83 yards in 13 plays to tie the game. In the final minutes, despite being just 21 years old and in his 16th combined college and pro start, I genuinely expected him to drive downfield and win. That’s not hope; that’s expectation. The moment wasn’t too big for him. He belonged there. While the drive stalled in overtime, his command was undeniable. He possesses that intangible “it” factor. If he can stay healthy, his potential is limitless – we might be looking at a truly unique player.
Jonathan Taylor and the Colts Backfield Dynamics
Question: Jonathan Taylor has been gradually returning to form. Is this the week we see him fully take over the backfield, or will Zach Moss continue to have a significant role?
Chris Shepherd: It’s likely a “yes and no” situation. This week could mark Taylor’s return to lead back status in terms of touches. However, I don’t anticipate Zach Moss’s role diminishing entirely. Moss is a quality running back, too good to be sidelined completely. If the Colts’ offense is clicking, I expect Moss to receive around 8-10 touches per game, especially with Gardner Minshew at quarterback – a run-heavy approach makes sense. If the Colts struggle or fall behind early, Moss’s usage might decrease.
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Pittman and Downs vs. Saints Secondary
Question: Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs are off to impressive starts, both exceeding 400 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Facing a strong Saints secondary, including Marshon Lattimore, Alontae Taylor, and Paulson Adebo, can they maintain their success?
Chris Shepherd: Yes, I believe they can. A lot hinges on offensive scheme. Last week against the Browns, who heavily rely on Cover 1 and Cover 3 defenses and boasted a top-5 defense statistically, Colts offensive coordinator Shane Steichen crafted a masterful game plan. He schemed receivers open and got the ball to Indy’s playmakers. The Colts amassed 456 total yards, with Gardner Minshew throwing for 305 yards – a feat considering the Browns hadn’t allowed over 296 total yards in any prior game. Lattimore is arguably the best cornerback the Colts will face this season, but the Saints primarily use Cover 1 and Cover 3, with some Cover 2 and Quarters mixed in. I’m confident Steichen will continue to utilize man-beating concepts, and as long as “Good-Minshew” is playing, Pittman and Downs should remain productive.
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Colts Defense: A “Get Right” Game Against Saints?
Question: The Colts defense has conceded 37 and 39 points in the past two games, while the Saints offense has struggled to score. Is this a chance for the Colts defense to rebound, or will their struggles persist?
Chris Shepherd: While the Saints offense may not be explosive, they could still score points. Gardner Minshew’s 8 turnovers in the last two games have directly led to 34 points for opponents, often with short fields. Against the Jaguars, four Jacksonville drives started in field goal range due to turnovers.
It’s crucial to understand that the final scores are somewhat misleading if you haven’t watched the games. The Colts defense has generally performed well, aside from some avoidable penalties. So, while anything is possible, I wouldn’t bet on the Saints racking up huge yardage this week, even if Minshew’s turnovers provide scoring opportunities.
Game Prediction: Colts vs. Saints
Question: The Colts are slight 1.5-point favorites against the Saints. What’s your score prediction, and do you believe the Colts will cover the spread?
Chris Shepherd: Predicting this Colts team remains unpredictable, especially with the quarterback situation. However, they are the only NFL team to score 20+ points in every game this season. If forced to bet, I’d lean towards that trend continuing (though it might mean a lot of field goals!). There are many “ifs” surrounding this game, but that’s inherent in this question.
If Minshew hadn’t committed those turnovers in the past two games, the Colts would likely be at least 1-1 in that stretch, potentially even blowing out a historically strong Browns defense. Therefore, if Minshew can protect the ball and resist throwing to the opposing team, then yes, the Colts could cover.
However, I’m not entirely confident in Minshew’s turnover woes disappearing completely. But, I anticipate he’ll perform better than he has been recently (which is a low bar). My prediction is a 27-24 Colts victory, with Minshew only turning the ball over twice.
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