Indianapolis Colts vs New York Giants Pre-Game Primer

Aug 16, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) rolls out to pass against the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts (5-3) have the ability to bounce back from an embarrassing road loss from the Steelers against the New York Giants (3-4) on Monday night. While Indianapolis is the obvious favorite to win the game, the Colts have shown to not play fantastic defense on the road, evidenced in Pittsburgh last Sunday. If the Colts want to win this one, the defense is going to have to find an identity and snuff out the Giants.

New York is coming off a bye week after a string of two losses. While the extended amount of rest is great for the team, two consecutive dropped games against the Cowboys and Eagles don’t bide well for a team that has been strictly mediocre this season. Their star receiver is done for the year, the run defense has been bad and the team is struggling to find themselves as the season continues

Game information:

Monday, November 3, 8:30 p.m. EST
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Television: ESPN

Here are the things you should be watching for in Monday’s game:

• Run the rock: New York’s 23rd ranked run defense is a perfect specimen for Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw to dissect. After sitting out last week’s game (though active), Richardson should be lively and ready to tear up New York’s defense in his majorly improved season. Along with Richardson, Ahmad Bradshaw will look to carry the major load of the offensive carries to tear up the week edges to New York’s defensive line. Jason Pierre-Paul will be a force to reckon with in the run game but lineman Anthony Castonzo should be able to keep him locked up for much of the night. Look for the Colts to run early and often effectively to open up the play action game for Andrew Luck.
• Davis vs Beckham Jr.: This is my favorite matchup of the night. Vontae Davis is back on the field after missing a few quarters of action against the Steelers with a knee injury. Assuming he’s at full-strength, Davis can essentially eliminate the opposing offense’s best guy. On the other side of the ball, rookie wideout Odell Beckham Jr. has impressed the New York Giants in just a few games of activity. He’s young and raw but is an incredibly physical specimen. He’ll provide a playmaker against a defense that should hold up against New York very well. Davis should beat Beckham Jr. in every aspect, but I’ve been very impressed with the rookie. He could make a few plays on the veteran on Monday.
• Find a lead and keep it: Indy may be a better team than New York, but that is no reason to sit around and hope they don’t score. This is a fired up New York Giants team who wants to grab a win against the home crowd. Last week, the Colts went into a hostile environment and got killed. It’s pivotal that Coach Pagano and the players realize what happened and not let it happen again this week.
• Stop Pierre-Paul: Possibly this week’s best matchups, the pairing of Jason Pierre-Paul and Anthony Castonzo should be a fun one to watch. JPP is the Giants’ sole pass rushing weapon, but he’s really good. If Castonzo can keep Pierre-Paul out of the backfield and run plays and neutralize him in the passing game, this should make for a much cleaner matchup than last week. Luck needs to stay upright in this game if he wants to make plays; take out Pierre-Paul and Luck won’t have to run around every play.

Injury Updates:

Indianapolis Colts:  Probable: RB Trent Richardson (hamstring), WR Reggie Wayne (elbow), CB Vontae Davis (knee) | Out: DT Arthur Jones (ankle), LB Erik Walden (hip), LB Josh McNary (Ankle)

New York Giants: Probable: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), P Steve Weatherford (ankle) | Questionable: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (back, hamstring) | Out: RB Rashad Jennings (knee), DT Cullen Jenkins (calf)