Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts: Can QB Gardner Minshew Bounce Back Against Elite Cleveland Browns Defense?
Episode Date: October 19, 2023Indianapolis Colts QB Gardner Minshew is coming off a rough outing vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6. Unfortunately for him, he gets an even tougher matchup with the Cleveland Browns in Week 7. C...an the veteran right the ship in Indy this weekend?Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms:🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOColts?sid=YouTube📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQLocked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNFLFollow Jake and Zach's written work on HorseshoeHuddle.com, and give them a follow on Twitter @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, @LockedOnColts, and @ColtsOnFN!This crossover Thursday episode is brought to you by PrizePicks. The easiest and most exciting way to play Daily Fantasy Sports. Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnfl and use code all lowercase lockedononfl for a first deposit match up to $100Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!DoorDashGet 50% off up to $10 value when you spend $15 or more on your FIRST order, when you download the DoorDash app and enter code LOCKED23. Subject to change. Terms apply.BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON today to get 10% off your first month.birddogsGo to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNFL or enter promo code LOCKEDONNFL for a water bottle with any order. You won’t want to take your birddogs off we promise you.Jase MedicalGet $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.PrizePicksGo to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnfl and use code lockedonnfl for a first deposit match up to $100!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed.eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL. Terms and conditions apply.FanDuelMake Every Moment More. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS – GUARANTEED. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcript
Discussion (0)
The Gardner-Minchu-led Indianapolis Colts offense is bound to struggle against a red-hot Cleveland Browns defense.
Let's get to it.
You are Locked On Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast.
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part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day.
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$100. I am Zach
Hicks, your guy's resident film nerd here over
at Locked On Colts, working
with horseshoehuddle.com. I'm joined
today by my buddy Jeff Lloyd over
on Locked on Browns.
He does a fantastic job covering that team coming off just a huge, huge win this past week
with the Browns versus the 49ers.
So today we're going to talk about our thoughts on this upcoming matchup,
the biggest local story for both teams, the biggest matchup in this game,
and who we both think will come out on top.
So Jeff, I'm going to kick it over to you when it comes to the biggest local story.
I know you guys are kind of buzzing when it comes to this big, huge win
that you guys had with your backup quarterback against one of the best teams
in all of football.
So what's the biggest local story for the Browns heading into this matchup
with the Colts?
Well, first things first, Browns fans, I've missed you.
I told you guys, obviously, a move and some Wi-Fi issues.
We're temporary
relocated but we are back to business um you know so we got the postgame show in but it's just a
crazy crazy you know game obviously in the way things went down uh it was brown's fifth game
of the season third starting quarterback through five games um you get a miraculous effort from
your defense obviously you know as hard as they played they do get a little luck at the end
obviously with the uh moody field goal going to the right. Hey, anybody in the NFL is going to take
it. Nobody's giving them back, of course. But over the last couple of days, obviously, it's just been
the confidence level of this team because the crucial part of this entire five-game stretch
for the Browns was the difficulty, and then things were going to ease up. You played your first three
conference games against Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and of course, Baltimore, Tennessee, and then of course, San Francisco. The goal
obviously was to be having a winning record through six weeks, five games. Browns have
already had their bye. They've reached that point, obviously. You know, at this point,
you know, we thought we were going to start talking about some rookie quarterbacks,
certainly AFC South rookie quarterbacks. And unfortunately for you guys with Colts,
you know, Anthony Richardson, it's, you know, over quickly, you know, for the Houston Texans rounds, we'll see them down the line.
But these are starting to look like more and more winnable games.
We were had a good couple of days as far as, you know, starting to feel better about ourselves.
And then now the word comes in again and it seems it's weird with Deshaun Watson because every time somebody talks about Deshaun Watson's injury, it seems to get like another thing added to it um you know at first it was this and then it was this it was
you know it was a it was a bruise and it was a contusion and it was a rose and you know maybe
there's like a micro tear and I got to be honest I don't have the medical degree to talk to any
people you know intelligently enough about all this he did not practice today and the it's hard
to believe if he didn't do anything today, all of a sudden he's going to
be out on the field Thursday and Friday to the point where he's ready to go. But the Browns,
and this is one thing that they've always done during this Fanske and Barry regime is they've
been extremely cautious. Like not many people go through a practice week without practicing
and still play games. Is there still an outside chance he could play? Possibly, but I do think the way this team is playing right now,
and obviously a significant loss just suffered yesterday
by the Indianapolis Colts, which the Browns,
who got their running game back on track last week,
and now maybe it looks a little more favorable this week.
But for right now, we're not talking about Deshaun Watson.
We're talking about the Cleveland Browns,
and the Cleveland Browns right now, they're a team.
They're playing football like a team,
and it's been a really,
really good thing, but obviously, you know,
this defense has just been absolutely lights out and there's not enough
superlatives he can use when you're talking about what Jim Schwartz in this
group has done. Andrew Barry heavily invested in the group.
Jim Schwartz has obviously taken the reins in this group and they have been
absolutely sensational. 50, I think it's 52,
53 first downs allowed through five games,
which is just an astronomical number.
Yeah, yeah, and that's the biggest thing for me too
is talking about that Browns defense.
The biggest local story right now for the Colts really is
can Gardner Minshew get back on track against just the best defense in football?
I mean, right now the Cleveland Browns are the best defense in football.
They have the best pass rusher in football. They have a really great secondary, and they have one
of the best defensive play callers in Jim Schwartz, like you just mentioned there, Jeff. Now, we're
coming off a game with the Colts where they lost 37 to 20 in a big interdivisional rivalry with the
Jacksonville Jaguars, and I think when you look at that final score, it looks like the Colts got just
blown out, like it was not even this close of a game. And I'm not saying it was a close game by any means, but when you're watching this game,
the Colts defense played well, their offensive line for the most part was fine. Their pass
catchers were fine. The big issue was backup quarterback, Gardner Minshew just played like
his brain was, you know, turned a mush for half the game. He just didn't know what he was doing
out there for most of that game. He threw a lot of really bad picks. I mean, he threw three interceptions. It could have easily been six or
seven that really should not have, it should not have been thrown. That's the end of the day.
That's what happened in this past game. I'm not saying the Colts win this game with Anthony
Richardson, but with Anthony Richardson at quarterback, it's a close game. It's a much
closer game than what it ended up being. But that's the reality of our situation here in Indy,
just like you guys are facing there in Cleveland
with your backup quarterback situation.
But getting to this game, we're talking about the biggest story.
It's like, look, the Colts team played fairly well last week,
but can Gardner Minshew get back to playing like Gardner Minshew of his career?
I mean, Gardner Minshew in his career is a 2-1 touchdown interception guy.
He's a guy who doesn't turn the ball over much,
a guy who can manage the game and keep your offense on track.
Will he be that guy this week against a really,
really good Cleveland Browns defense?
Or will he be Gardner Minshew of last week where when in doubt,
I'm going to throw it in quadruple coverage off my back foot and let
defenses just feast on me here.
Because if that quarterback comes out against the Cleveland Browns,
the Colts might not score a point this week because the Cleveland Browns defense,
for as good as the Jacksonville Jaguars defense is,
the Cleveland Browns defense is another step up from that.
It's, you know, and this is the thing that was tough, though,
and we went through it, obviously, when DTR started his first game.
And, you know, you can talk about all the superlatives
from pulling off that great victory on Sunday.
P.J. Walker had a couple of big throws.
But, you know, P.J couple of big throws, but you know,
PJ Walker also looked every, you know,
every drip of what is a number two quarterback,
possibly a number three quarterback in the NFL.
And it's tough for any team. And, you know,
and it drives me nuts when fans and people try to critique a team when the
team is out there playing with either a second string quarterback,
a third string quarterback. It's like, this ain't the plan, man. You know,
I can't believe, well, they didn't call the game plan, right?
And, you know, we went through it, you know, people wanted to get on Kevin Stefanski after
the Ravens game.
Well, I can't believe the game plan they called for DTR.
They do it 1030 Sunday morning.
What are you supposed to go do?
You're going to supposed to gather all your coaches, all your players, breakouts.
You know what?
We need to watch the film.
No, man.
That's the position you're in at that point.
And why didn't you run the ball more?
Well, Baltimore Ravens stopped the run.
Why did you throw so much?
I mean, you know, granted the NFL now has 17 games.
So NFL teams understand, hey, it's probably not going to be our day.
And it shouldn't matter at the end because we still got 16 more of these.
You know what I'm saying?
You know, you get one basically, you one basically rubber coming off your rim kind of game
where it just doesn't work out for you.
Obviously, case in point, there are no undefeated teams in the NFL
to this point.
It is a league that has a lot of balance.
And as cliche as it seems to say, yes, almost anybody can beat anybody
on any given day.
But for Colts, obviously, hope brighter, hope brighter days are ahead for, you know,
with Anthony Richardson next season, you know, for the Browns, you know, they would like to get
Deshaun Watson here because as much as critique as Deshaun Watson is taking, Deshaun Watson,
the last time he played a game for the Cleveland Browns was the best game he played for the
Cleveland Browns. Yeah. Yep. Now coming up, guys, we're going to talk about the biggest matchups in
this upcoming game. Can the Colts actually contain the just one-man wrecking ball that is Myles Garrett?
We're going to talk about that here in just a second.
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All right, guys, so we're jumping into the biggest matchups for this upcoming game.
And I'm going to start off with Indy here real quick, Jeff, and then I'll'll kick it over to you but you kind of alluded to it in our first our first topic that
we're talking about the Colts had a just a major major loss this week losing Grover Stewart for
the next six weeks due to a suspension for performance enhancing drugs Grover Stewart
one of the best overall nose tackles in all of football just a fantastic fantastic player
and to lose him against a team that finally found their groove and all the football just a fantastic fantastic player and to lose him against a team
that finally found their groove again running the football I know they don't have Nick Chubb but
last week they finally were able to run the ball really well and they have one of the best run
designs in the league a really good run blocking offensive line so to lose Grover Stewart for this
matchup I think that is such a big matchup because you guys saw last year, Taven Bryan was
with you guys. Do you think Taven Bryan can defend the run against the Cleveland Browns offensive
line? Because personally, I'm not too optimistic about that, but I want to hear your thoughts on
Taven Bryan potentially being the guy stepping up after everything you saw from him last year.
Well, first things first, let's not disrespect Taven Bryant. He was second on the Cleveland Browns last year in sacks.
So that tells you how poor the Cleveland Browns.
He's not a bad player.
He's not a bad player.
He's not a good run defender.
Yeah, he's not a good run defender.
He's a rotation.
Nickel and dime, he's fine.
You cannot, and the Browns saw this firsthand last year.
Hey, but look, none of us are the Jacksonville Jaguars
who spent a first-round pick on him, so let's enjoy that part of it as well um but the defense itself um you know it's the thing is is
when you had a player like miles garrett ilk and then and the way it worked out you went out you
obviously signed abonai on caronquo um then they went through the draft process um and they drafted
isaiah mcguire they had alex right and And Alex Wright was such an interesting eval two years ago.
Everybody saw him at UAB.
Kind of loved everything about him.
He was a guy that played inside.
He was a guy that played outside.
And we all thought he was a great athlete.
We never really got to see any athletic testing.
So we basically had to say we think he's a great athlete,
but we have no proof to prove that he's a great athlete.
He's really, really improved this year.
But you get through the draft process.
So not only did you add one starting defensive end you called your buddy questy up
in minnesota and said well hey if it's not going to work out you know we can find a you know spot
there for smith you know so you acquired two starting defensive ends you already had miles
garrett and you went out and acquired two starting defensive ends so miles is basically allowed to do
whatever he wants now and this was miles in
his early part of the career you know greg williams was really good with this like well why you know
and even greg williams people laughed you know i don't care if he learns any other moves why
because his first move is that good i don't care if he has a b or option or c but now the getting
back to lining him up all over the place you still go back to week one obviously whatever he was doing
you know dribbling in taking a guy one-on-one miles just having fun now because he truly just gets to rely on his
athleticism but you're creating one-on-ones for sidaria smith agbaniya onkaranko dalvin tomlinson
uh shelby harris um you know and alex right so many of these other guys and these guys
win more often than they lose so even miles who had a really really strong drive to close it out
he didn't really have a statistical output sunday against the san francisco 49ers and the browns still pretty much
dominated them from the defensive side of the ball you match that with the secondary that plays
coverage very well and even when jim schwartz got here they asked what's your plan and he's like
well you know until i see i have to do something else other than man we'll talk about it because
that's how much faith he had in these guys jok is finally at the he's playing this is – he's playing – this is all what we thought J.O.K. was going to be.
But he was always going to be a linebacker that was going to be really, really good if he wasn't getting touched.
And last year, every linebacker on the Cleveland Browns was getting touched.
And to the tune of 200-plus yards a game in the running game.
And everybody thought, oh, it's the players.
It wasn't the players.
It was the system, man.
Your linebackers are getting touched seven, eight yards down the field.
That's not on them.
But it's all just really coming together.
And I think what makes this really special and really possible for a nice run here for over the next, you know, probably a couple of weeks, month, is that they have this confidence level now.
They know.
I mean, the Niner game was the difference.
It really, really was because it was like, you know, everybody, you know, and, you know, what, Brock 30 as the guys that locked on 49ers like to call him,
because he starts his 30 points.
It really showed and it really proved to them that, hey, we are this good,
and we deserve to be mentioned as the number one defense in the league.
And for me, the former wide receiver, I'd rather talk offense,
but as good as this has been, it's just incredible to watch
because they are a really
really good unit yeah yeah and i think you know we can obviously say this about every nfl game
going into a game well maybe not everyone because there seems like dolphins but i think in particular
with this game because it's two backup quarterbacks it's two offenses that you know they haven't been
great this year they've had good moments but for the most part these two offenses that we're
talking about have not been fantastic but it's mostly been the defense is kind of carrying the
load especially with your guys you know case there in Cleveland I think what ultimately wins this
game is whichever team wins the trench battle it like if if the Colts come out and their offensive
line is able to I don't want to say blank the Cleveland Browns because I don't know if you can
do that with who they have a pass rusher, but at least contain the Cleveland Browns pass rush
and they're able to run the ball fairly effectively,
then the Colts offense will probably do enough to win this game.
But on the inverse side, if the Colts defensive line can't stop the run
and if Miles Garrett does Miles Garrett things,
then obviously the Cleveland Browns have a good chance
of having a pretty big victory here.
But I think this is one of those games where when you factor in
the two backup quarterbacks potentially starting in this game,
it really comes down to trench play. like whoever wins in the trenches in this game
is going to win this game because i expect this to kind of be like a sloppy lower scoring game
with these backup quarterbacks out there yeah and you know the browns um last week obviously uh the
streak ended for joel batonio um michael dunn stepped in played well for him michael dunn
obviously finished the game but he was was so injured finishing the game.
He actually went on an IR.
Good news is Joel Batonio was back on the practice field today for the Cleveland Browns.
So, you know, Michael Dunn, thank you for the effort.
But obviously, Joel Batonio, if he's ready to go, he's good to go.
And it's even kind of funny because Joel Batonio doesn't normally take a practice field on Wednesday anyway.
So the fact that he was out there on a Wednesday seems to be a positive sign
as far as him possibly being ready to go here.
And I do agree with you.
And that was the key for the Browns.
They didn't run great last week.
And Jerome Ford in the first half, there was some –
it was like, you got to go north and south, kid.
You know what I'm saying?
You ain't going east and west here in the NFL.
And obviously that message was sent to Jerome Ford in the second half,
and all of a sudden those two- and three- yard runs were becoming four, five, and six. The eight yard run
was becoming a nine, 10, 11 yard run. And, you know, to get play like he did, I think it was
eight, 17 carries, 84 yards against San Francisco 49ers. That's a confidence booster, man. You're
not going to see many defenses like the San Francisco 49ers. And I got to say it because
I never say this. Jedrick Wills actually played well. And I got to say it because I never say this.
Jedrick Wills actually played well.
And I never say this about Jedrick Wills because normally I can't talk about
Jedrick Wills because, you know, I mean, you know,
the old adage of your mom says if you don't have anything nice to say,
don't say anything.
But Jedrick Wills had his best game, you know,
in quite some time for the Browns.
DeJuan Jones has been fantastic.
Nick Bosa just, you know, Nick Bosa was tired.
He was done with DeJuan Jones by the end of the day because he he was just getting beat on by a six foot nine, 350 pound man.
And I don't blame Nick Bosa, certainly. But yeah, this is huge because, you know, I can't say,
oh, well, PJ Walker's going to go out there and throw for 275 and three touchdowns. I have no
faith in that. But I do have faith that the Browns offensive line is going to give him the time to
hopefully make plays. And the Browns, this is one thing we were all starting to think about as far as
improvement on this team.
The offensive line hadn't played up to the standards that we have been
used to here the last couple of years.
And last week they put out a good showing here.
And if they can get that going,
that's going to be key for them down the stretch.
And it'll be even a key more when Deshaun Watson comes back,
because when he does get back, you know,
obviously there's going to be some rust because of the time missed and
there's going to be, you know, probably, you know, a back, you know, obviously there's going to be some rust because of the time missed and there's going to be, you know, probably, you know,
a re-engaging process with Deshaun as he gets back into this because now that,
you know, you got skill guys that have now seen three different quarterbacks
this early in the season, you kind of got to get back in a sync with Deshaun.
So if you can lead with the offensive line and, you know,
this was never supposed to be the plan this year because it was supposed to be
Deshaun's team, it was supposed to be Deshaun's arm that was supposed to do
everything. But, you know, sometimes, you know, the plan gets broken and you have no choice and
that's kind of where the Browns are at. But if this defense does what it does, the offense has
just got to find a way to go out there and put up, you know, 20, 21 points week in, week out,
and they should win a heck of a lot more than they should lose. Yep. Definitely completely
agree there. Now coming up guys, we're going to talk about our final predictions for this game.
Do we think the Colts have a chance against the Cleveland Browns? We're going to talk about that here in
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Alright, Jeff, so I'm going to kick it back over to you to kick off this final segment here. S E medical.com. All right,
Jeff.
So I'm going to kick it back over to you to kick off this final segment
here.
What do the Browns need to do?
Like what,
what needs to go right for this Browns team?
If they want to win this game in Indy against the Colts.
Well,
you know,
I'm not using the word trap game,
but the thing is,
is,
you know,
is the celebration over guys?
You know,
I mean,
look,
beating the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday was fantastic,
but as great as that game was,
the possibility of losing this game would do 10 times more damage than that.
When did you,
you know,
you were not expected to win the game,
but you did,
but when you were expected to win a game,
but you don't,
and you know,
that'll bring back all the negativity.
It'll bring back everybody who wants to start pointing the finger.
There are some favorable matchups in the AFC North this week
that do favor the possibility of the Browns possibly being tied
or being solo in first place this week.
Because the Ravens could end up 4-3.
The Steelers could end up three and three.
The Browns have an opportunity to be four and two at the end of this weekend.
They could possibly be alone in first place right now as the Cincinnati Bengals remain idle.
So this is, and this has been something for years now with this team.
As they, you know, you have tried to teeter towards, you know, being a good team.
You got to rip them off in a row.
And, you know, when you have a win like you did last week
and you're going to come in here and you know I guess we can't really call Gardner Minshew the
backup quarterback anymore because he's now the starting quarterback obviously from here on out
um you know you are going to see a couple of decent running backs and Zach Moss and obviously
each week Jonathan Taylor's getting more and more amped up more and more involved in the
you know the Colts offense here um so So you have to be ready for that.
Granted, the Browns have been fantastic against the run this year.
Very, very physical and things I always love, just the simplicity of it.
You know, players on the edge, forcing the play inside.
It goes back to any level of football.
But for years, I saw so many guys take a toss, take a handoff,
and just freely make their way outside, get to the numbers,
and be able
to light up this defense and it's things that just don't happen here anymore and it's probably all
because as much as they love Jim Schwartz I think they're also scared to death of Jim Schwartz
um as far as you know hey we there's enough and the thing is is there's a legit threat because
that the defense roster is deep so if you make a goof there's plenty of guys they don't have a
problem throwing out there on the field and let somebody else go make the plays, you know? So there is that fear of,
you know, Hey, I'm not guaranteed anything. You know, this team plays five defensive ends. This
team has four defensive tackles. This team has five linebackers all can play. But so the key
is to basically just go out there and be who you are. Um, if most likely it's going to be PJ Walker,
um, you know, we're not, we don't need you to throw for 300 yards. Um, you know, some timely
big plays here and there, like they had to Mari Cooper last week is fine.er um you know we're not we don't need you to throw for 300 yards um you know some timely big plays here and there like they had to mari cooper last week is fine um you know
there were two big plays last week uh screen plays to david nojoku that went for big yardage obviously
both were negated by penalties one was about a 35 yard touchdown the other one was about a 17 yard
screen later in the game um just execute what is there to be had and the one thing that pj walker
almost almost took everything
away from the Browns last week is it's okay to run, or it's okay to throw the ball to your mom
in the 17th row. You know, you don't have to throw every pass. And there were a couple of balls PJ
Walker through last week that certainly had you cringing. But just go out there and now you're a
confident team, play like a confident team. Yep. Yep. And I think the biggest thing with the Colts
here is, you know, the Browns want to play that way that you just said, they want to play like a confident team. Yep. Yep. And I think the biggest thing with the Colts here is, you know, the Browns want to play that way that you just said,
they want to play like your confident team for the Colts,
make it ugly,
make it the ugliest game that has ever happened.
We did last week.
Exactly.
Make it as ugly as that Ravens win at the Colts had early in the season
where they had Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback.
They went to Baltimore and they beat Baltimore by making it this disgusting,
ugly game.
Don't turn the ball over ugly game. Don't turn the
ball over on offense. Don't give them short fields. Don't give them easy touchdowns because
last week it's the Jacksonville Jaguars. That's exactly what the Colts did. They kept giving the
Jaguars short fields. They kept giving them easy opportunities to get points. And as a result,
the Jaguars offense had what? 250 yards of offense, but 37 points. That's not because
your defense was getting beats because your offense was beating themselves. Now do that to the Cleveland Browns. If you want to beat the Cleveland
Browns who are coming on the road to your stadium, make it ugly. Don't turn the ball over. Make sure
a majority of your offensive plays are at least going for positive yards. Don't beat yourself with
big sacks or beat yourself with really bad turnovers. And then on defense, just keep them
out of the end zone. If you're making PJ Walker have to go up and down the field on you on 15 play drives,
he can't do that. He's just not that kind. He's a backup quarterback. If you keep taking away the
deep ball, make him have to eat everything short and then make it tougher in the red zone for him.
He's not that type of quarterback. Who's going to be precise and just kill you for a ton of
points in the red zone. So don't give them anything easy.
Don't give them wide-open league plays or wide-open screen plays
or anything like that.
Make every yard difficult.
Make everything ugly in this game.
And make it so this ends up being a game of attrition, a game of field goals,
a game of not turning the ball over because that's your chance
of beating the Cleveland Browns.
You're not going to put up 50 points on them.
You're not going to put up 40.
You're not going to put up 30.
You might not even put up 20 on the Cleveland Browns. You're not going to put up 50 points on them. You're not going to put up 40. You're not going to put up 30. You might not even put up 20 on the Cleveland Browns, but if
you can hold them down to wherever you're going to end up with your offense in this game, then you
have a chance at winning this one. So really for the Indianapolis Colts, it's look, you're the
underdog in this game. You're playing against a team that is red hot coming off their biggest win
of the season. Make it ugly. Make it a game that their fans are disappointed in afterwards saying like, oh my gosh, we committed this many penalties. We turned the ball over this many times.
We couldn't get off the field here. Make it one of those games for the Cleveland Browns.
If you want to have the chance to win and Jeff, I'm going to kick it back to you here. What's
your final score prediction now that we've kind of talked out this big matchup between the Colts
and Browns? Um, if this game goes the way it should for the Cleveland Browns,
you're probably talking, I would say something like 23-13,
somewhere in that range.
And as far as ugly, so that would be three field goals for the Browns.
That would obviously be maybe two field goals for the Indianapolis Colts.
Like 23-13 feels about right.
I know there's a lot of Browns fans that think there's a 30-burger coming here,
but like you were just saying,
I have a hard time believing this team can drop 30
on anybody right now with P.J. Walker being the quarterback.
It's obviously
just not really the way their offense is
basically designed to do here.
23-13, I think.
Could it be a little bit closer?
Could it be a little bit
heftier?
It would all depend, of course, on Minshew.
It could all depend possibly on P.J. Walker,
who makes the least amount of mistakes.
So that's certainly something to think about there.
But for me, I think at Browns, as long as they play like they're capable of,
they should be able to shut down the Colts offense.
And I don't think P.J. Walker is going to play as reckless this week as he did last week and granted you know the Colts
defense isn't necessarily a separate 6-0 49ers defense either yeah yeah I think this is going
to be an ugly one like I mentioned but I do think the Browns come out on top just because
again when you have a defense like that it covers up so many mistakes it covers up so much so even
if the the Browns offense turns the ball over a little bit more than the Colts offense does,
when you have a defense that is so aggressive and so attacking like that one,
it is just tough to move the ball on them.
I think I'm going to go with 16 to 12.
Just an ugly, ugly score.
A lot of field goals in this one.
It's going to be a ton of field goals.
The Colts probably knock through four 55-plus-yard field goals
because that's what we do with Gardner Minshew at quarterback. Matt Gay just keeps kicking all these 50-yard field goals. The Colts probably knock through four 55-plus-yard field goals because that's what we do with Gardner Minshew at quarterback.
Matt Gay just keeps kicking all these 50-yard field goals.
Becomes Reggie Miller.
Yeah, he does.
He does, yeah.
But I'm going to go 16-12 Cleveland in this one.
I do think Indy just really exchanges blows with them for the majority of the game.
But ultimately, again, the Browns just have a little bit more talent,
especially on defense right now.
But I do think it's going to be an ugly one.
So you guys let us know in the comment section below.
One sec.
And just one thing.
If anything were to happen, Minshew gets pulled, Minshew gets hurt.
Who's next in line?
Oh, it's Sam Ellinger, man.
It's Sam Ellinger.
Not Sling and Sammy.
Sling and Sammy.
Little Texas, baby.
Yep, exactly.
Sling and Sammy might lose the victory if it comes down to it.
But every day or again, let us know in the comment section.
Who do you think wins this game? Do you think the Colts could win an ugly one? Or is this going to be all every day or again, let us know in the comments section. Who do you think wins this game?
Do you think the Colts could win an ugly one or is this going to be all browns?
You guys let us know in the comments section there.
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