Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts WITHOUT Charvarius Ward, Maybe Laiatu Latu vs. Denver Broncos

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Indianapolis Colts will be without Charverius Ward this weekend, and they might be without Laotou as well. Let's get to it. You are Locked on Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Thank you all for tuning in and making us your first listen of the day. this your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the locked on podcast network, your team every single day. This episode is brought you by Mazda. Like our players, we sweat

Starting point is 00:00:39 every single detail because when you make every move count, pulling off the unexpected is only the beginning. Stay tuned later for highlights in this week's moving the game forward, Mazda, move and be moved. My name is Zach Hickshaw, resident film nerd of horseshoe huddle.com. And my partner, Jake Arthur, is our credentialed boots on the ground for round table sports. Guys, we're going to give you our typical pregame show for this Friday, talking about the offense, talking about the defense, and then diving into our final score predictions heading into this upcoming week. If you're keeping track at home for score predictions, I am 0 and 1 on the season. Jake is 1 and 0.

Starting point is 00:01:15 We'll see if we can continue that trend going forward. But Jay, let's talk about the offense. The offense right now is fairly healthy going into this game. Only player on the injury report is running back Tyler Goodson. He's questionable with that elbow injury. And honestly, he's more of a special teamer than an offensive player right now. So this offense, who scored on 100% of their drives last week, is coming into this game healthy against one of the best defenses in football.

Starting point is 00:01:42 What are your thoughts going into this game? Yeah, I mean, especially with Goodson, I think they maybe found their backup guy with Giddens anyways. I think he showed them quite a bit to be happy about. But now I think this matchup really all across the board, because the vibes were high in pretty much every area of the team last week. What is legit and what was just kind of riding a high and it was a flash in the pan last week against the Dolphins? But we've talked a little bit about Daniel Jones this week

Starting point is 00:02:11 and how should we adjust expectations versus what we just saw, which was essentially like a Pro Bowl, all pro level performance against the Dolphins. And I'm settled there with you where I think the operation of thing, will look mostly similar week to week, but statistically, I don't think it'll be that gaudy. Like he had, what, like a nine and a half YPA without testing it deep that much?

Starting point is 00:02:38 But what that goes to show you is he's throwing it within rhythm and with good timing and anticipation and getting the ball to guys with room to run and create yards after the catch. So I still think a staple of this offense this whole year, I think, will be Shane scheming up quick looks for Daniel just to get the ball. of his hands right away.

Starting point is 00:02:57 It's just really up to Daniel to, you know, read the right things and get rid of the ball accurately and keep spreading that ball around. So I think he'll continue to do that. I think there's a couple big differences in this matchup for me, though, for this week compared to last year. So last year, I felt like the Colts leaned on Anthony Richardson's athleticism quite a bit and, like, spacing things out and keeping Denver's defense guessing as to what was going to happen from the backfield with Richardson and Taylor. It's obviously Daniel Jones now,

Starting point is 00:03:31 but I do think a big difference is Jones to Tyler Warren. I mean, it's going to become very en vogue to say look up for Tyler Warren this week, but I think Denver's defense was a little vulnerable over the middle of the field last year. I don't see many reasons to think that's changed this year. And so the Colts now have a guy with Warren that can absolutely exploit the middle of the field, short intermediate and deep. So where the Colts don't have that athletic edge necessarily this year that they did last year, because I mean, Anthony had that like 25-yard touchdown run around the right side. Like there will be a difference in that department. I do think a big X factor in this is Jones ability to find Warren in those soft spots in Denver's

Starting point is 00:04:17 defense. So I'm kind of banking on that one. And Josh Downs got to have a breakout as well. He's not just going to go with three targets most week. So I would keep a big eye out for those guys. Yeah, I completely agree with you. I don't think it's going to be as perimeter centric in the passing game this week like we saw last week, getting the ball to Michael Pittman Jr., getting it to A.D. Mitchell,

Starting point is 00:04:36 getting that one shot to Alec Pierce. I don't think we're going to see much of that carry forward this week because the Broncos strength on their defense is their outside coverage with Riley Moss, with Pat Sertan Jr., with Hofanga over the top. This is a really good defense at taking away those

Starting point is 00:04:53 top receiver threats. So I think if you're going to throw the ball, the yards per attempt is going to drop a little bit. You're going to want to target guys like Warren and Downs, stay ahead of the sticks like they did last week, but probably we don't see as many explosive passing plays as we saw last week because this Broncos pass rush is really good. And also the outside cornerback play is outstanding as well. But I think the key for me this week, Jake, aside from attacking the middle of the

Starting point is 00:05:16 field like you mentioned with Downs and Warren is running the football. This week, running the football is going to be big. They ran the ball really well against the Broncos, especially early in that game last year. And then everything kind of changed once that fumble happened at the goal line. But I think they had a really good run scheme kind of drawn up in that. And that's why Taylor was able to have so much success early in that game. One thing that really stands out is when the Colts got behind the sticks a little bit last year, second and 10, second and 12, third and nine, they drew up run plays because they knew the Broncos

Starting point is 00:05:48 wanted to bail out of looks. and they were able to get favorable run boxes on those situations. Now, ideally, we don't want to get into third and nine this year with Daniel Jones and this Colts offense, but if they do, the Colts did have a plan of attack for that last year, and I'm curious to see if that comes back in this game. But the other thing you mentioned that I think could be interesting is do we see them get a couple of quarterback runs into this game? We didn't see any design QB runs outside of the QB sneaks.

Starting point is 00:06:15 In week one, we know Daniel Jones is capable of running those read options, running those RPRs and getting on the move. So do the Colts try to get a little bit of that in here to keep that running game open, keep the box available for Jonathan Taylor to make what he can do best in the middle? I think those will be key to this game. But yeah, I do think it's going to be a very different game plan than what we saw in week one where the Colts were using a lot of double moves. We're doing max protection and just saying, look, we think our outside receivers are

Starting point is 00:06:45 much better than these Dolphins corners. So we're just going to get, we're going to have seven, eight, man protections and we're going to throw deep balls to Alec Pierce and throw the deeper ones to Pitman Jr. Isolate AD Mitchell. You're not really going to be able to do that this week against a really good Broncos defense. So it's going to be more, you know, underneath stuff and more heavy on the run game. And I think that's how your path to success works this week. Yeah, I also think a big difference is last week, the secondary was wide open. You know, Daniel was going to have the green light to test everyone and everywhere on the field in Miami secondary.

Starting point is 00:07:21 I think they're going to play it a little cautious with Patrick Sertan. They're very aware he's out there. And a guy like Daniel Jones, who is going to play it smart and tick what the defense gives him, he knows what Patrick Sartan offers. So I think it's going to kind of wall off a portion of the field for the Colts to test, which I'm okay with. They don't, the Colts don't have like a Jamar Chase to match up with Sertan. And so if they use your tan, like primarily on Michael Pitman Jr.

Starting point is 00:07:49 or someone, I can live with that. The Colts have many other options in the passing game. But I think at the end of the day, like you mentioned, I would try and run the ball. And if it's not working early on, still stick with it and try and establish it at some point. Because Taylor did have over 100 yards last year in this matchup. I mean, no one's going to remember the fact that he had a really good game outside of that play. But there were several times where that run scheme they were using really created some holes for him. And we saw a lot of wide open spaces against Miami as well.

Starting point is 00:08:20 I mean, this offensive line is something you're going to have to keep hammering away at throughout the year and establish them and make sure that they are the unit that you think they are. Because I mentioned this the other day, like, if the Colts offensive line proves to be legit, then that raises the floor of the offense so much higher throughout the year. So, I mean, you're going to have to have an offense that's pretty run-based still. I love what we saw from Daniel Jones but you kind of need the whole compliment of the offense still. Yeah, and one more thing to mention too is this matchup between the Colts O line

Starting point is 00:08:54 and the Broncos D line, Nick Benito, one of the better players in football off the edge. Zach Allen, a fantastic interior rusher that can kind of rush inside and out. But one thing to keep in mind with like Benito, for instance, is he's very explosive and he knows how to time up those snap counts. So the Colts are going to have to rely a lot

Starting point is 00:09:10 on those dummy counts, on those fake counts and stuff like that to try to get. him off sides or at least slow up his timing because last week j c latham and whoever the left isn't it like that guy they signed him dan more yeah dan more uh there with the titans but those guys are really really struggling last week against bonito and benito was one of the most impactful players in football last week uh so i think you're going to want to mix in those dummy counts have a couple chips on the outside and really help whoever he's lined up against but there are ways to slow up his pass rush and at least give your tackles a bit of a chance.

Starting point is 00:09:45 So again, we saw it last week with the Colts. A lot of those dummy counts, a lot of those motions, a lot of head fakes and stuff like that. I think we're going to have to get into those this week to make sure that he's not getting a full head of speed off the edge. And you're giving Braden Smith and Berenhart, Ryman, that chance to win. Yeah, six sacks for Denver last week against the Titans. Now, I would say the Colts obviously have the edge in protection, but we can't just hang our hat on the fact that we think they're really good.

Starting point is 00:10:12 are they've got to prove it against maybe already the biggest test they'll receive all year in week two. But guys, we're going to talk about the defensive side of the ball here in a moment and just an awesome coaching chess match and what that should be in Louie in a room over versus Sean Payton. It's almost the weekend. Maybe it already is for you. So it's time to look back and crown this week's MVP on Who Delivered, powered by DoorDash.

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Starting point is 00:11:56 action unfolds. I've been trying to make it a point to watch way more of the primetime games outside of when the Colts are playing. And so far, you know, I don't really have a dog in the fight, but Fandwell makes it a lot more entertaining to keep up with those games. That makes every game more exciting whether you're watching your team or just keeping an eye on your fantasy lineouts it's quick easy and the best way to add a little more energy to sundays so are you ready to play download the fandal app now by visiting fendool.com to get started that's fandle dot com to place your first five dollar bet welcome back everybody we are talking colts and broncos putting a bow on our coverage for this sunday afternoon's matchup and unfortunately for the colts if we're talking

Starting point is 00:12:38 defense. We've got to start with these injuries. So Zach Charverius Ward is out. Jalen Jones is out and Lyotu Latu is a maybe. So Ward obviously, he finished the Dolphins game but reported to the Colts Monday morning that he was having some concussion

Starting point is 00:12:54 symptoms. So he's in the protocol has not practiced yet this week. Jones suffered a hamstring injury in the game. Has not practiced either. Aggravated that same one that cost him a few weeks earlier in the summer. So he is likely an IR candidate still.

Starting point is 00:13:11 Lot too is interesting because hamstrings are hardly ever just real quick things to bounce back from, especially week of. So he suffered this injury in practice. Wednesday was limited and hasn't practiced since. So they're playing it questionable with him. It seems unlikely given that he hasn't practiced again since having it. And I mean, it's only week two. So you got to kind of play the long game here.

Starting point is 00:13:35 But still, he's questionable he might play. So with Ward and Jones out, expect to see more of Mackay Blackman, the guy that the Colts traded for from the Vikings a few weeks ago. I think they sent a sixth round pick over there. Jones had been pretty much relegated to special teams duty, but he's still out. He still factors in. So with Ward and Jones out, you're going to see more of Blackman and you're going to see more of underacted rookie Jonathan Edwards, who we've talked quite a bit about over the summer. And then if Latu is out, actually even if Latu play, I would imagine they snap out him a little bit.

Starting point is 00:14:09 So you're going to see more Samson Ebukam, who was pleasantly surprising on Sunday. Tyquan Lewis is a guy they're always going to roll out there. And then regardless, I think JT. Tuamolo is going to be active for the first time on Sunday because they're going to need him inside and out. So what are these injuries got you feeling in a matchup that has a Broncos team with a decent quarterback at Bow Nix and one of the best offensive play callers and Sean Peyton?

Starting point is 00:14:36 Yeah, I mean, it's definitely concerning when your number one corner is not going to play in a game. I don't know if the Jalen Jones injury is too big a factor here because you and I were talking before the show that I think the Colts would probably play Blackman and maybe even Edwards over him if he were healthy in this game just from where he has kind of been this off season. But yeah, losing Ward is definitely a big blow. And then losing Laotu, Latu, I mean, those are your two best cover guys if we're going off of week one. I mean, Lottu was a fantastic cover guy in that game. All jokes aside, I mean, yeah, Ward being out as big. I mean, we're going to see Blackman out there. Blackman, a player who couldn't make a roster whose biggest question was

Starting point is 00:15:14 cornerback. So it's definitely concerning. He didn't have the greatest summer. I'm cautiously optimistic, I guess, for Blackmen. I think this upcoming week, I think that his best moments in the NFL have come on the outside. The Vikings played him more in the slot this preseason. So I'm hoping that's where a lot of the concerns really jumped in,

Starting point is 00:15:35 where him just playing in the slot too much and him just not being really adept at playing that position. Hopefully we can see it be better on the outside this week. And then for a lot too, I think we're going to see a lot of Taekwon Lewis, especially on early downs in this game. Abukom will probably still be more rotational rusher. JTT to Moloa will probably be a little bit on the early downs as well. But yeah, it's going to be a tough one here for the colds.

Starting point is 00:16:01 Luckily, like this might come back to buy me this weekend, but luckily they're not going against like a powerhouse on offense. The Broncos offense is fine. It's solid. Sean Payton raises your floor a good bit. But Bo Nix has been an up and down player through two years in the NFL. Their running game, you know, it's still getting there. It's not really fully there yet.

Starting point is 00:16:22 And then you look at their wide receiver room. Cortland Sutton's a very good player, but the rest of that receiver room is kind of fine. You know, it's not this overpowering offense. So if you're going to have your top players miss during a week, this is maybe the offense that you feel like you can survive against. But it's going to be a big week for Luanna Rumo to scheme up some questionable looks for Bo Nix, get Bo Nix double clutching and overthinking things. And then I think it's a big week for DeForest Buckner as well.

Starting point is 00:16:50 We saw Jeffrey Simmons last week. I think he had seven pressures against this Broncos offense was really a disruptive and a productive and a productive player. That's where Buckner is going to be this week against the Broncos. and it's tough with those tackles on the outside with McElinchie and and bowls on the left side, but maybe on the interior you can get a little bit, especially over the center or something like that. So I think it's going to be big for Buckner to get that pressure and make his impact this week. But also it's going to come down to Louana Rumo just scheming up some tough looks for Knicks to kind of digest and really just disguise everything pre-snap.

Starting point is 00:17:26 Yeah, I think the factor that makes me feel a little better about the injuries is that Lou called such a diabolical. game for Tua in the Dolphins offense last week that I'm like, okay, even if they're a little short-handed, I think there's some things they can throw at Bo Nix that's going to, you know, play a little seat of doubt in him every now and then make make him kind of change his plan when he wasn't expecting to. And that can kind of counter even for like Liottu-Latu if he's out. Because of all the positives we have last week, I don't recall really feeling like I had a ton of really notes at all about the defensive line like i thought they were okay there was some ups and downs but i think just schematically and what they did with personnel really helped throw off the

Starting point is 00:18:12 timing of everything a lot and that could cause problems um in this one i think the matchup with patin and anerumo is very interesting because these these aren't two play callers who like have a scheme like a set scheme they very much are matchup based and go off of what you're opponents doing again both of them so there there's going to be a lot of feeling each other out i think early in the game to see what they're going to do uh because they're i i think really the lou will have to like settle into like what o nix's tendencies are but they're going to figure out what do they want to do with the run game now they have j k daubbins and they have r j harvey or c j i r j harvey you're good r j harvey yeah r j harvey you're good you're good you got um

Starting point is 00:19:00 Yeah, now the Coltson draft him, I don't care. But do they want to be a power run game with that? So I'm very interested to see how that chess match goes. They're, I think they're going to throw some very interesting things at each other. Yeah, I think the biggest thing in past coverage, though, is you want to mix and match zones as much as possible and do as much with the pre-snap rotation and post-snap rotation to confuse Bo Nix. Bo Nix, I think he's a fine young quarterback, but the thing with him is he's so confident in everything. thing he does. You rarely see him like double clutch and get back to a checkdown. He wants to rip the ball wherever that window is. So as long as you can keep him guessing, if you can keep

Starting point is 00:19:40 moving guys in those pre and post snap windows, if you can show single high pre-snap and do a late rotation into too high, or if you show Bynum is going to be over the top and then you bring him down on a blitz. Like anything like that, just to confuse him pre and post snap, I think you have a chance here. We saw with Gus Bradley last year. Gus Bradley's not really typically a guy can do that. But Gus Bradley's defense forced three interceptions in the first half against Bo Nix because he did do a little bit of that pre-snap rotation. So I think that that's really the way you want to attack Bo Nix is force him into uncomfortable situations where he thinks pre-snap, I'm going to get a cover two here, but you're rotating into a cover three with like a lock on one

Starting point is 00:20:19 side. And he's just not expecting that because then you'll see him really start to force some windows and throw some passes that are a bit questionable. So I think that's the biggest way to attack this. and then obviously just be sturdy as you can against the run. Yeah, I felt good about that watching the 2024 matchup because I was like, what was Gus doing? I was like, this is stuff that Lou does. All right. So that gave me a little confidence in thinking that schematically,

Starting point is 00:20:45 they can out smart bow necks and fool them a little bit. So guys, what do we think is going to happen in this matchup? We will give our final predictions in just a moment. This episode is brought to you by Mazda's movie. the game forward. For those who believe it's not just about playing the game, it's about redefining it. There are moments that do more than put points on the board. They move crowds, move culture, and keep moving the game forward. This week's moment that moved the game forward is basically anything that Tyler Warren did. Zach, you've obviously dug into Warren's film

Starting point is 00:21:19 quite a bit this week. So give me a standout play where Warren really exemplified this. Yeah, I think arguably his best play of last week was the one that kind of put the game on ice, was the throw to him on that third down on play action late in the game. He catches the ball, turns back up field, makes two defenders miss, and finishes it with a truck on the safety to get those 15 yards on third and six. I mean, that's what Tyler Warren brings, that extra push after the catch, and he got the Colts out of there with a pretty clean victory against the Miami Dolphins. Well, there you have it.

Starting point is 00:21:49 When you follow what moves you, the unexpected is only the beginning. And just like there's more to every highlight, there's more to a Mazda vehicle. Mazda move and be moved. welcome back every dayers we have talked colts offense versus broncos defense colts defense first broncos offense now we are here to tell you what we think is going to happen in this game so last year last year be darned i don't know how much you can really take away from that one because there's a lot that's changed uh the colts were in charge of that one for the first half and then things totally went awry I do think there are some things that Colts could do to attack them similarly.

Starting point is 00:22:31 But still at the end of the day, I really have no idea what they're going to try and do because they don't ever do what I think they should. So, Zach, how do you see this one working out? I mean, the Broncos are coming here to Lucas Oil Stadium. Do you think the Colts hold it down and they start 2 and 0 for the first time ever, it seems like, or what happens? Since the Peyton Manning days, I guess, where they were starting 2 and 0 every single season. But yeah, I think this is going to be a tough game.

Starting point is 00:22:57 I think it's going to be a defensive slug fest. And if you guys listen to the crossover I did yesterday with Sarah Bettinger, I think it's going to be like one of those games or first to 20 wins. I really think this is going to be one of those kind of just move up the field slowly, get into field goal range, and see what you can do. So I think ultimately the two biggest factors are going to be turnovers, which I think that favors the Colts a little bit better than the Broncos. Bo Nix is a bit hot and cold when it comes to turnovers.

Starting point is 00:23:23 Or Daniel Jones, I know early in his career, he was a turnover machine with well over a turnover per game in his first three seasons. The last three years, or the last four years, I guess if you include 2025 now, he's been, I think it's like 33 starts with 24 turnovers in that time span. So a little under a turnover per game, almost halfway there. So yeah, he's been a pretty good with keeping that ball under control. But then the other factor is punching the ball in for six in the red zone. Colts kind of struggled with this last week, unless they got to the one yard line,

Starting point is 00:23:54 they did struggle to get that ball in the end zone when in the red zone. So I think that's going to be key to getting victory this week. But unfortunately, guys, there's a couple of reasons why I have to pick against the Colts. One, I'm a little concerned about Mackay Blackman on the outside. And like Xavier Howard is your de facto cornerback one, your no doubt cornerback one. I still have concerns about Xavier Howard after he wasn't tested last week against the Miami Dolphins. So it feels like the whole field was kind of opened up now for this. Broncos offense to attack because you don't have Traverius War locking down one side.

Starting point is 00:24:29 That very much concerns me. I think the pass rush is not going to really be there to affect Bo Nix. I think the Colts are going to blitz a lot. And when you blitz a lot with questions at corner, it's a bit concerning on that side of the ball. Again, I don't think they're going to score like 30-something points, but I think it might be easier for them to get to that 20 than the Colts. And then the other reason I'm picking against the Colts because I was a jinx last week. I was wrong last week, guys.

Starting point is 00:24:52 and I've got to ride this, this Colts streak, and I'm trying to get the Colts and win. So even if it just makes me look bad, I need to keep picking against the Colts as long as they keep proving me wrong and winning. Like, I will gladly go 0-N-17 with my picks this year if the Colts go 17-0, you know? Like, so until they prove me right,

Starting point is 00:25:11 I'm going to make them keep proving me wrong, Jake, but keep picking against them. And then I'll readjust after that. But so far I'm 0-1. I'm trying to get to Owen 2 here in week two. hey that's fair i i feel it you know you're sacrificing your your reputation for the good of the colts that's what we all want to see uh no for me i think a quarterback who is going to keep moving the ball rhythmically and keep those drives alive because i mean the colts only

Starting point is 00:25:42 had seven drives scored on all of them but like those drives were forever long you know like a million plays on each of them taking four or five I mean, like, they were maintaining their drives to perfection, it seemed like, and didn't really get bailed out very often. Like, they had a couple moments where the refs kind of helped them along, but it overall made me feel very positive about their ability to maintain drives. I also think Jonathan Taylor is in for a big game. I really liked where I saw from the run blocking on Sunday,

Starting point is 00:26:14 and I think they can keep that up, which would be a great counter to a fierce pass rush that the Broncos have. Really don't want to see Nick Benito wrecking shop there. But a huge X factor to me the Colts now have is Tyler Warren. Again, we're going to keep beating the drum, but I can see Warren having an absolutely enormous performance in this game because I don't know that Denver has an answer for it. You know what I mean?

Starting point is 00:26:39 And then defensively, until Lou lays an egg, I am smitten with what we saw him cook up schematically against Miami last week. So if Gus Bradley can do to Bo Nix, what we already know Lou Aniromo is capable of doing, then I feel very confident. Although completely different personnel, completely different team,

Starting point is 00:27:00 I think Bo Nix had a fair amount of success against Lou with the Bengals last year. But again, different scenarios. So yeah, I like the Colts a good bit here. I do think it's going to be a close one. I don't have any reason to say that they're not going to win this one because they should have won last year. and I like this team better than I did last year.

Starting point is 00:27:20 I have the Colts winning 23 to 20. They start 2 and 0. Both wins in the AFC. They're going to sit atop the AFC South. And yeah, I like their chances here. I did have something as we were talking, though, that I want to get your thoughts on. Would you do this? So I think this can be a big matchup game.

Starting point is 00:27:40 We're talking about Denver's receivers and everything, right? So Xavier and Howard, at his age, And even in his prime, speed and athleticism was never his, like, defining trades. Would you just lock him on to Cortland Sutton and have him shadow Sutton because of the matchup? And then have your other guys with more speed go against Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin. Because those guys can fly. I don't know that I want Howard going up against guys with speed, speed, speed all day long. You know what I mean?

Starting point is 00:28:11 I would much rather leave that up to Edwards and Blackman and even Kenny Moore. You know what I mean? Would you do that? I think I would probably sit more in like a too high shell or a cover four type shell in this game rather than having him travel. I just don't trust. Like, again, you want to be diverse pre-imposed snaps. So you don't want to sit in like cover four or cover two for 90% of your snaps. But I think I would probably have it be like 70% cover two, cover four in this game.

Starting point is 00:28:39 Maybe on some early downs you drop into some, you have some cover three, cover one. So you're getting that extra safety and run fit support. But any kind of passing down, I think I'm going to be rotating mostly to more of a shell just because, again, even if Blackman's faster, I'm still a little bit nervous with him over the top as well because of the preseason he had because of how he's been for him of late. Even last week, he had a couple of catches. So, yeah, I think overall, I'd want to just take away those explosives. Make Bo Nix had to play more plays. If you make him have to go 15, 16 plays down the field, there might be a turnover in there. And I think that's the way you have to kind of play it.

Starting point is 00:29:14 I don't want to say bend don't break, but I think when you have the cornerback situation like this and you don't have Charberry's board, you do have to lean into bending a little bit more rather than going for the big play. You can still mix in blitzes. You can still mix in man coverage, but I think for the most part, you want to sit in a little bit more of a too high shell. But real quick before we get out here, one, I forgot to make my prediction on scores. I had 20 to 16 Denver, but two, Dynasty Duck said here on the comments, like, Zach, if we win or lose, it's not because you made a bad pick. Yes, it is, guys. Look, this is football. We're talking all about superstitions.

Starting point is 00:29:48 The culture just broke a super long curse. So whatever you guys did last weekend, you have to do it again this week. I don't care what you did last weekend. You have to do the exact same thing. I had the same clothes, unwashed, just ready to throw them back on. It's probably this sweatshirt knowing me, honestly. I wear the sweatshirt all the time. But I have completely unwashed sitting on my dresser.

Starting point is 00:30:08 I had the same socks and every, same underwear. I'm ready to go for this weekend. Your poor family members. Right, right. They just broke a curse, guys. We had to go back to what worked. No shaving until they lose. Like, we have to do this, guys.

Starting point is 00:30:20 It's all about getting this Colts team some wins. And football is a superstitious sport, baby. Like, we have to. It's called Riding the Wave. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah, so 2320, I say in favor of the Colts, Zach says 20 to 16 Broncos,

Starting point is 00:30:37 but half of his heart says it's because he wants to continue being jinxed. So we're all into it. we're all into it. So any final thoughts on this one? Are we just ready for this game? I'm ready for this game, but I think this is a huge test for the Colts because it didn't come out here and get, if they have, I mean, look, Miami preseason people thought they could be a middling team. They might be much worse than that. Honestly, things are not going well for them currently. The Colts forced them into a players only meeting after one week, my minute. Right, right. It's not, vibes are not good. Right. So maybe they're not a midling team, but Denver is going to be at worst, a fringe playoff team this year. They have a great defense. They have great coaching. staff. This is a team that you need to beat for those tiebreakers late in the season for

Starting point is 00:31:18 those potential playoff scenarios and just for pride. You know, getting a big win early in the season. They're coming to your home. You had them on the ropes last year, finish the game off, like get your revenge this year and get that win. So I think it's a big test for this Colts team and a chance to go two and oh in a time where like, again, teams are figuring themselves out in that first month. If you can at least guarantee at minimum of 500 record in September, I think you set yourself up pretty well for the rest of the year so yeah this is like again it's a week two game it's not like a huge game in terms of like and like do or die you have to win this but it would be great to start this season two and oh like you said jick for the first time since what

Starting point is 00:31:57 like probably 2008 2009 i'm guessing like it's been a long time and and this would be a great opportunity for the colts no i i want the train to keep rolling and jones to play well so they can turn him into some sort of Kirk Cousins, Kirchains figurehead and make him start wearing chains and get a grill in and be on the team flight shirtless. Like, we need to see, we need to see Daniel Jones unfiltered. And that only happens with more wins. I don't know if that'll ever happen with Daniel Jones. Daniel Joe's unfiltered will be like, let's go, guys.

Starting point is 00:32:29 This is fun. I had an extra soda tonight, guys. Yeah, stayed up past 9 p.m., which we will be on Sunday, guys. Speaking of, we will be giving you guys the post-game show. The Colt Squatch will be back on Sunday night to break down Colts and Broncos. 9 p.m. be there or B-square. I want to thank you guys for making Lockdown Colt your first listen today. And every day, the NFL season is finally here.

Starting point is 00:32:52 So if your next listen, get a double dose of locked on NFL podcast. Tyler, the Madman, Roland, gives you a shot of espresso to start your football day, while Tony Wiggins takes you through the barbershop for the smoothest breakdowns to end the day. Find Locked on NFL on YouTube or wherever you listen. to your podcast. And if you guys want to become a Lockdown Colts insider and chat with us directly, get that insider. So you'll follow the link in our show notes. And if you don't already, make sure you're following at Lockdown Colts at Jake Arthur, NFL, and at Zach Hicks two, all on socials. Also, subscribe to us on YouTube or wherever list of your podcast. We love

Starting point is 00:33:22 your guys, ratings, reviews, and we'll catch you guys back here Sunday after the game.

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