'Fast, Violent' Colts Defense Provides Tough Challenge for Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have the 11th-most giveaways this season and are set to face an Indianapolis Colts defense that specializes in creating turnovers.

The Atlanta Falcons enter Week 16 of the season at risk of falling short of their preseason goal of making the playoffs. Currently sitting at 6-8, the Falcons are in third place in the NFC South and are a game back from the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

This makes Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts all the more important, as the Falcons have virtually no room for error. With their backs up against the wall and an offense that has struggled last two showings, the Falcons are making yet another change at quarterback, giving the veteran Taylor Heinicke his second chance as the starter. 

However, even with the change, things won't get any easier as the Falcons prepare to take on a Colts defense that ranks third in the league for takeaways.

“I love the way that Coach [Gus] Bradley, just in the different places that we’ve had a chance to play against him, you love the way that he gets his guys to play at a fast, violent level, ..." Falcons offensive coordinator Dave Ragone said. "They do a great job of playing with vision in the backend. That’s why the turnovers are occurring. They do a great job of attacking the football in the ball-carrier's hands."

Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) celebrates after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback PJ Walker (10) during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium.  / Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

Facing a defense among the league's elite at creating turnovers could spell trouble for a Falcons offense that has struggled to take care of the football.

However, the turnover struggles could be part of why the Falcons trust Heinicke. The 30-year-old has just one interception in three games this season, as opposed to Ridder, who has 10 interceptions and five fumbles in 13 appearances. The most recent of Ridder's turnovers proved costly for the Falcons, as his 10th interception came late in the fourth quarter versus the Carolina Panthers. 

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With the Falcons up 7-6 and looking to extend their lead as they were already inside the Panthers 20-yard line, Carolina safety Xavier Woods picked off an ill-advised throw from Ridder. That throw was the final play for the Falcons' offense, as the Panthers' offense chewed the remaining seven minutes before kicking their game-winning field goal.

The Falcons will look to put that embarrassing loss behind them as they host the Colts inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.