Colts Are Facing a Must-Win in Carolina on Monday Night
By Dave McKee
An injured Andrew Luck, dismal starts and self-inflicted wounds have beleaguered a Colts offense and the team as a whole. Not long ago, they were considered a favorite to win the AFC. Now, at 3-4, they travel to undefeated Carolina on Monday Night Football.
The Colts (3-4) face a must-win scenario on Monday Night Football against an undefeated (7-0) Carolina Panthers. Can Andrew Luck right the ship in hostile territory or does the entire team roll-over and play dead under all negativity surrounding them?
WHO: Indianapolis Colts (3-4) v. Carolina Panthers (7-0)
WHEN: Tonight, 8:30 pm ET / 7:30 pm CT
WHERE: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, IN)
TV: ESPN
RADIO: 1070 the Fan
The Matchup
As of Sunday, reports came out via Jay Glazer that Andrew Luck has played with fractured ribs since week 3. For those of you -myself included – who were wondering why he claimed his shoulder was fine but his throws still looked flawed and a little high, well there you go. Luck has been compensating with a hitch in his delivery to prevent the strain on those ribs.
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Carolina’s defense is playing on a high-level and their secondary led by cornerback Josh Norman is in the midst of a breakout season. With saturating rain and a dangerous secondary, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton- who is likely coaching for his job at this point – has to rely on Frank Gore to balance the attack and keep the Panther’s secondary honest on defense.
Carolina Panthers
The Colts need to steal a victory from Carolina, where most of their chatter has surrounded Luck not declaring early for the 2011 NFL draft because (they believe) he didn’t want to play for the Panthers. The Colts face a difficult task in trying to contain the 2011 #1 Pick Cam Newton. The designed runs and read-option attack of Newton and running back Jonathan Stewart could be a difficult assignment for the Colts struggling front-seven.
The weather will play another significant factor in this game as it is still raining in Carolina after a weekend of heavy rains. The Colts have struggled to hold onto the football in good weather, and will have to do even more to protect the football in a hostile stadium and drenched field. Instead of a shootout this could easily turn into a ground-and-pound game which favors the Carolina Panthers.
What’s at Stake?
The Colts are facing a potential meltdown should they lose tonight. If they do they will fall to 3-5 and become tied with the Houston Texans for the division lead. Chuck Pagano will not be back in 2016, but this game could add more names to the list including Pep Hamilton and general manager, Ryan Grigson. Jim Irsay is angry and heads will roll if the Colts continue to falter.
It is Grigson who now has the spotlight cast upon him. Not just for the $40+ million he spent on aging veterans of them, only positive signing so far was Frank Gore. Now, with the NFL investigating the injury reports, Grigson has cast the attention back on himself but this time it’s not the attention he wants. Let’s face it Colts fans, Grigson took it upon himself to kickoff Deflategate and now the football gods’ cumulative wrath is upon us.
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Nothing has gone right offensively this season. Even when things appear to be going the right directions, mistakes and self-inflicted wounds (i.e. holding penalties) have derailed any momentum to build upon.
Now it’s up to every man in that visitor’s locker room, to take it upon himself to go out and fight.The Colts receivers must win their matchups. The Colts secondary, with Mike Adams back – must blanket their opponents.
Most importantly, for the Colts, those guys in the trenches – both offensively and defensively – must go out with the intent to manhandle every opponent that stands in their way.
This is no longer about coaching; it’s about pride in one’s self. Let’s see how much pride is left in the tank tonight. As Sylvester Stallone said in Rocky Balboa, “It is not how hard you can hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” With the national spotlight upon them, the Colts are truly in a pivotal must-win matchup on Monday Night Football. For the Colts, it’s time to move forward.
Next: Purdue: Boilers Victorious in first home B1G win under Hazell
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