5 Keys to a Colts Victory Over Bengals

The Indianapolis Colts have a tougher matchup than most expected ahead with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-5) and Cincinnati Bengals (6-6) are both flying underneath the radar as playoff-possible squads. Currently, the Colts sit at the sixth seed in the AFC, which puts them squarely in the playoffs, per ESPN.

Just outside of the picture is the 10th-seed Bengals, who recently lost superstar quarterback Joe Burrow to a wrist injury for the year. Who stepped in was unknown backup Jake Browning, who has shown promise in his two starts as the field general, even having an impressive 350-plus passing yard win against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.

With playoff implications in full bloom for this contest, let’s dive into the five most important keys for the Colts to notch a fifth-straight victory.

#1. Go Back to Alec Pierce

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The easy goal would have been to pepper Michael Pittman Jr. with more targets, but after watching what Alec Pierce did to the Tennessee Titans secondary, it’s important to keep his streak hot by including him more in the game plan.

The Bengals are simply bad against the pass this year, placing a forgettable 27th in yards allowed per game (254.3) and tied for last in yards per pass attempt (8.1). This can allow Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew to target deep again, which pulls the defense downfield for Pittman to get open easily underneath.

Even one big shot from Minshew to Pierce is enough to break the defensive game plan a bit. This allows more opportunities for the ground game and short passing scheme. After his best game of the year against the Titans (3 catches, 100 yards, 1 touchdown), look for head coach Shane Steichen to give his vertical threat another chance to shine, especially with Bengal cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt out with an injury (ankle).

#2. Pressure Jake Browning

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Browning’s story so far has been a great one, going 1-1 as a starter, with the loss being a gritty 16-10 affair with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, even with his recent monster performance, Browning is no Burrow, and the Colts are a more capable defensive front than the Jaguars.

Given that the Bengals are tied for 25th in sacks allowed (33), and the Colts are second in the league in total sacks (42), this matchup greatly favors a surging Indy front.

Throw in the return of defensive tackle Grover Stewart, who provides pass rush and run defense, and it could be a long day for Browning if the Bengals can’t contain DeForest Buckner (5.5), Dayo Odeyingbo (6.5), Kwity Paye (7.5), and Samson Ebukam (8.0), each of whom has 5.0 or more sacks through 12 games.

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#3. Get Zack Moss’ Rhythm Back

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Despite having defensive end Trey Hendrickson and tackle DJ Reader, the Bengals struggle as badly against the run as they do the pass.

Currently, Lou Anarumo’s troops sit 28th in the league in yards allowed per contest (133.9). After a down game against the Titans for Colts running back Zack Moss, look for this to be a great opportunity to return to early season form.

Moss may not be Jonathan Taylor, but there’s a good chance that the Bengals will be met with 20-25 Moss attempts out of the backfield. Can the Colts break the Bengals' struggling run defense on a short week? It’s detrimental to the offenses’ success for them to do so.

#4.) Contain Ja’Marr Chase

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Bengals superstar pass-catcher Ja’Marr Chase made it known that it doesn’t matter who is under center, he is the threat on Cincy to stop over anyone else.

Chase dazzled in the upset victory against the Jaguars, catching 11-of-12 targets for 149 yards and a touchdown.

Even if Colts rookie cornerback JuJu Brents does return, this secondary will have its hands full with Chase, who can make any cornerback in the league look bad. He showed that he doesn’t miss a beat with Browning, so look for Kenny Moore II, Darrell Baker Jr., and Jaylon Jones to see a lot of Chase targets in this one.

#5. Blake Freeland vs. Trey Hendrickson

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Back to Hendrickson, who is playing incredible football as the leader of the Bengals defense this year.

Currently, Hendrickson is tied for the sixth-most sacks in the NFL (11.5). Pair this with rookie tackle Blake Freeland and it will likely be a big mismatch for Hendrickson to exploit.

Freeland, who was a fourth-round pick out of BYU, has held down a lot of starting snaps at right and left tackle in place of injured starters left tackle Bernhard Raimann and right Braden Smith, the latter of whom is out for this game and Freeland will start for at right tackle.

This means that Zac Taylor will undoubtedly throw his best defensive player at the rookie tackle. Currently, Freeland tops the Colts’ offensive line in pressures allowed (30) and has a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade of 40.3, which isn’t reassuring. However, he’s strong in the run game, sitting at a solid 65.2, which can help propel Moss and ease the pass rush.

It’s a weak point on the Colts’ offensive line. Not to say Freeland isn’t doing what he can this year, starting against the league’s best in Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett, and wasn’t expected to do so this much.

But, with another big challenge ahead, all eyes will be on the rookie as he starts another important game for the Colts. Freeland has to be at his best if the Colts want to keep this unforeseen playoff push alive and will look to make it happen against a talent like Hendrickson on Sunday.

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