Free Daily Lock Pick: NFL: Minnesota vs. Philadelphia – September 14th – (100% Confidence Release)
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Two 0-1 teams will do battle in Texas on Sunday afternoon as the Indianapolis Colts travel to Houston to take on the Texans. This should be an interesting matchup of two teams with new head coaches and rookie quarterbacks leading the charge in this AFC South Divisional battle. The opening kick is slated for 1:00 PM EST on Sunday.
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The Indianapolis Colts played admirably in week one and nearly pulled off an upset win against AFC South favorite Jacksonville before falling 31-12. The Colts have a new head coach, a new quarterback, and a new offensive scheme so things will take time. Rookie quarterback did a lot of good things, including one rushing and one passing touchdown, and some not-so-good things, a fourth-quarter interception with five minutes to play. Overall though, his coach was pleased with his efforts.
“I thought he played solid,” coach Shane Steichen said. “I'll take fault for that interception right there. Second-and-10 and it was a Cover 2 deal and we didn't have a great route called. [I have] to be better there. But I thought he managed the game well. He did some really good things. I'm really encouraged with his progress and what he did.”
Richardson's final stats were solid. He was 24-of-37 f or 223 yards and a touchdown while also rushing 10 times for 40 yards and an additional score. Richardson did this without any semblance of support from the Colts' running game. The team's top two backs, Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss, were both out with injury and third string back Deon Jackson fumbled twice in the game. Overall, the Colts' running backs rushed 16 times for 25 yards. Richardson was able to find top wideout Michael Pittman Jr. eight times for 97 yards on the afternoon. Indianapolis was just 2-of-12 on third down conversions in the game.
Defensively, the Colts were able to force two turnovers, one on a fumble and the other an interception by Samson Ebukam. Linebacker Zaire Franklin led the way with a game-high 17 tackles for the Colts' defense. The Colts allowed 342 yards of total offense to the Jags but did hold their potent attack to just 3-of-12 on third down conversions. All-in-all, it was a solid effort by a defense forced t o deal with three turnovers from its offense.
The Colts are certainly in full rebuild mode after a 4-12-1 season a year ago and committing to Richardson as the full-time quarterback. In 2022, the team was ranked just 27th in the NFL in total offense including 23rd on the ground and through the air. The uncertain future of Taylor will weigh heavily on this year's potential output on the ground although the addition of Richardson will certainly help. Steichen will certainly employ many aspects of the gameplan he used as the Eagles offensive coordinator last season with Jaylen Hurts as his quarterback given Richardson's similar skill sets.
Defensively, the Colts were a respectable 15th in total defense last season. They were 20th against the run and a solid 11th against the pass. The team's secondary has undergone some changes, most noticably the loss of Stephon Gilmore at cornerback. They still possess solid linebackers and a decent front four led by DeForest Buckner, who had a sack on Sunday.
Injury Report: Evan Hull – RB – IR (Knee), Zack Moss – RB – Questionable, Drew Ogletree – TE – Questionable (Concussion), JuJu Brents – CB – Questionable (Personal), Jonathan Taylor – RB – Out (ankle).
Free Daily Lock Pick: NFL: Minnesota vs. Philadelphia – September 14th – (100% Confidence Release) Click to see the pick now