9/23 Indystar

[JAFF]

nsider: 10 things to watch in Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens

How is the Colts' offense different without Anthony Richardson and Ryan Kelly?

1. Having Minshew under center will change the Indianapolis offense significantly. The threat of Richardson’s legs is gone — Minshew rushed for 344 yards as a Jaguars rookie, but he hasn’t had a rush of more than nine yards since he left Jacksonville — eliminating uncertainty for the Ravens defense. With Minshew in the lineup, the Colts will likely emphasize a short, quick passing game to combat Baltimore’s blitzing front. Minshew has averaged 2.52 seconds from snap to throw with the Colts this season, getting the ball out of his hands in the sixth-fastest time in the NFL this season, and Cincinnati was able to limit the Ravens pass rush to one sack and five quarterback hits by emphasizing a rapid release.




2. Indianapolis center Ryan Kelly will also miss Sunday’s game due to a concussion, putting second-year center Wesley French into the lineup for his first start. French has played just 19 offensive snaps in his career — all of them in relief of Kelly against Houston last week — and the center position is responsible for making a lot of protection calls. Baltimore has built its defense around the talents of inside linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, and it’s probably smart to expect the Ravens to use the Smith-Queen tandem to make French’s life stressful.


3. When Richardson is on the field, opposing defenses have to be aware of his presence in the running game, leading to lighter boxes and easier holes for veteran running back Zack Moss, who had 88 yards on 18 carries last week against the Texans. Baltimore can stack the box and focus its energy on Moss, who had to play 52 out of 53 snaps offensively last week. If that’s the plan again, the Colts might use quick throws and screens to the wide receivers, using the quick passing game to substitute for the running game. The Colts added former Eagles and 49ers running back Trey Sermon to the practice squad this week; Indianapolis can still promote Sermon to the active roster to take some of the load off Moss.


4. Michael Pittman Jr. has been highly productive through the first two weeks, hauling in 16 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown, and he might be in line for another high-volume day against Baltimore’s secondary, which has been content to allow receivers to rack up catches in the intermediate game — Houston’s Nico Collins had six catches for 80 yards in the opener, and Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins had eight catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns last week. The Ravens are starting Brandon Stephens at one cornerback and veteran Ronald Darby at the other spot, but former Colt Rock Ya-Sin took over for Darby against the Bengals.

Don't count on production from the Colts' tight ends

5. The Indianapolis tight ends — Kylen Granson, Will Mallory and Mo Alie-Cox — turned in a nice day against the Texans, but Baltimore might be a tough matchup, given the presence of Smith, Queen and first-round safety Kyle Hamilton in the middle of the field. The Ravens haven’t given up much to any tight end so far in the first two games.


6. The Indianapolis front seven has been dominant against the run through the first two weeks, and Baltimore no longer has starting running back J.K. Dobbins. Indianapolis is allowing just 2.57 yards per carry on the ground, and Baltimore might be playing without left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum for the second consecutive week. If that’s the case, the Ravens might lean on their electric quarterback.

How will the Colts defend Lamar Jackson?

7. Lamar Jackson remains one of the most electric runners at the quarterback position, and the Colts likely will not be able to pin their ears back and rush the way they have the past two weeks in order to try to avoid letting Jackson, who has 92 yards on 18 carries so far, escape the pocket. By using a muddle rush, though, Indianapolis might have trouble getting to Jackson, who has been sacked four times so far but is getting the ball out of his hands in 2.6 seconds so far, the seventh-fastest time to throw in the NFL.



8. If the Colts cannot get consistent pressure on Jackson, a young Indianapolis secondary that has struggled will be tested by Baltimore rookie Zay Flowers, who has 13 catches for 140 yards through the first two weeks. Indianapolis cornerbacks Darrell Baker Jr. and Dallis Flowers struggled against Houston, and the Ravens will likely try to exploit their inexperience again.

How will Tropical Storm Ophelia affect the game?

9. The weather could affect Sunday’s game considerably. Tropical Storm Ophelia is expected to hit hardest on Saturday, but there could be remnants left over on Sunday. If it’s still raining Sunday and the field conditions make it difficult to throw, it could be an ugly game, considering the talented front sevens of both defenses.

10. Baltimore punter Jordan Stout has an incredibly strong leg, but he’s outkicked his coverage at times in the first two weeks — Cincinnati return man Charlie Jones returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown. Indianapolis punt returner Isaiah McKenzie is averaging only 6.7 yards per return, but he might have chances against the Ravens.