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Colts’ Defense Should and Must Overwhelm Brock Osweiler

By Kyle Nishida

Dec 5, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA;Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano reacts during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA;Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano reacts during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts face a “must win” situation against the Houston Texans Sunday. One key to their success involves their defense overwhelming Texans’ quarterback Brock Osweiler.

Everyone knows what went down in the first matchup between these two teams. The Colts held a 23-9 lead with 7:04 left in the game and managed to choke the game away. The Texans ended up winning 26-23 in overtime.

That meltdown was the low point of the season for the Colts. They were 2-4 and at the bottom of the AFC South. However, Indianapolis has somehow climbed its way out of that abyss, and the team can redeem itself Sunday.

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On the flip side, the Texans have gone in the opposite direction since the win. They are 2-4 since that Week 6 win and currently on a three-game losing streak. Their recent slid is due to the poor play of Brock Osweiler, who is not that great to start with anyway.

Osweiler is last in passing yards per attempt (5.77), 29th in passing yards per game (209), and 28th in completion percentage (59.8) among 32 statistically eligible quarterbacks.

Even though the Colts’ defense is not great, they should present some problems for Osweiler, right? Well, that is not really a guarantee. Take a look at this year’s list of bottom-half QBs that have given Indianapolis trouble:

  • Week 4: Blake Bortles – 207 passing yards, 36 rushing yards & 3 total TDs (2 passing)
  • Week 5: Brian Hoyer – Completed 33 of 43 passes, 397 passing yards, two passing TDs
  • Week 6: Brock Osweiler – 269 passing yards and two passing TDs (Was 14-of-17 for 180 yards and 2 TDs in 4th Qtr/OT)
  • Week 8: Nick Foles – Completed 16 of 23 passes, 223 passing yards and two passing TDs (replaced Alex Smith in second quarter of game)

This list is not a great endorsement towards the Colts’ defense. For whatever reason, statistically bad opposing quarterbacks have solid days against their defense.

It could be Indianapolis relaxes too much when they play bad quarterbacks or bad quarterbacks are motivated to play against the Colts’ susceptible defense. Either way, Indianapolis needs to stop this trend.

The Colts will already have their hands full trying to stop running back Lamar Miller. The last thing they need is a statistically poor quarterback like Osweiler torching them again.

Indianapolis needs to make him look like the sub-par quarterback he has played like all season. The good news is their defense is trending in that direction.

The defense just shut down the 3-9 New York Jets. Neither Ryan Fitzpatrick nor Bryce Petty had terrific performances against the Colts, which is what should have happened.

Defensive backs Clayton Geathers and Vontae Davis need to set the tone early with a turnover or big pass deflection. A big play early should boost the morale of the team while reducing the confidence of the Texans.

Next: Colts Must Stop RB Lamar Miller in Order to Win Sunday

Sunday is a huge game for Indianapolis. Hopefully, the Colts’ defense does what it should do: make Osweiler play like a mediocre quarterback.

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