Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - LOCKED ON COLTS 10/18/19: Positional breakdown of Colts vs. Texans

Episode Date: October 19, 2019

On today's episode, Jake Arthur of Colts.com is back for his usual deep dive day on the podcast. This week, it's a positional breakdown of Colts vs. Texans, answering all the lingering questions of this matchup you might have.First up, how do the Colts stop Deshaun Watson? Then, how should the Colts attack a wounded Texans defense? It's going to be a chess match at Lucas Oil Stadium, one that will come down to the final possession most likely.Going across the field running through all the important positions, who holds the edge and where? Also, how huge is Darius Leonard's return to the Colts' defense? Hint: It's gigantic.Finally, we close with Jake's prediction plus his three biggest keys to a Colts win on Sunday. This is a must-listen episode if you want to know all about this week's game from all angles! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, everybody. Welcome back into Locked on Colts, probably Locked on Podcast Network. Today's always my host, Evan Sutter. Enjoy our weekly guest, JakeArthuratColts.com. How you doing, Jake? I'm awesome, man. Glad to be back this week. Yeah, appreciate you coming on as always. It's always fun talking Colts with you,

and I think our listeners always enjoy your in-depth breakdowns that you do each Thursday and Friday for us on the podcast. And this week, we're going to do no different here. We're going to cover the position by position Colts versus Texans here. Because we didn't talk last week, Jake, I just want to get your thoughts on the Chiefs' win last week because the Colts obviously had their bye week, went into the bye on an extreme high there after that win in Kansas City.

What was your overall impression of that game? Because I was talking to our guests throughout last week, and I think all of us are shocked just by the way the Colts executed their game plan pretty flawlessly. Yeah, I mean, you got to say it. It was very surprising. Like, not so much that the Colts won, because I did say there was a recipe there for them to win.

It just kind of depended on if they came home with all the groceries or not. But the fact that they held Kansas City to 13 points when that offense, when they're clicking, that's a buzzsaw. That's an offense that could score 50 points in a game if they wanted to. They completely shut down their run in that game. If you take away Patrick, if you just look at running back carries, then Damian Williams and we'll include Anthony Sherman since he's a fullback, 10 carries by running backs for 25 yards.

That's outstanding. And, I mean, 17 of their 36 yards were from the home. So the Colts completely shut down the run, which we hadn't quite seen yet. But overall, I kind of thought this performance was something we thought we might see this year as kind of a best case scenario. I think the Colts have gotten off to a little slow of a start, maybe from what people were expecting, you know, the natural progression of things. You know, they've had quite a bit of injuries, and of course they've had a shakeup on their offense.

But, I mean, that defense last year, if you assumed it was going to get better this year, then it was going to stop the run. And I was impressed by the fact that they played so much man defense, and that's one thing that really led to them – it really led to them smothering Kansas City's offense for the most part. But it also kind of helped bring back the pass rush. The pass rush was really lacking in the past couple games leading up to that. And then they got to Mahomes four times in that game.

And I know from the Chiefs side, you know, there's a lot to talk about. You know, they had some injuries and whatnot, but so did the Colts. I mean, they're facing the reigning league MVP at quarterback without their two starting safeties, and the cornerbacks were all banged up. I mean, Shaquille Taylor was in the game by like the first quarter, I think. So just as many injuries as Kansas City was dealing with, the same could be said for the Colts. So it was, in my opinion, it was level playing field. But no, it's very, very, it was surprising how the Colts won. I thought a 19 to

13 game wasn't quite what I saw in the cards. I thought if they were going to win, it was probably going to be a little more of a shootout. Yeah, I totally agree with you there on the shootout part because overall I was expecting like a 34-24 type of game. The Chiefs probably were going to win, but the 19-13 outcome definitely shocked me. And I want to get your thoughts as well because you've had a chance to speak to the guys here this week

at the Colts Complex. And what kind of mood is the team in now after going into the bye week on such a high like that, being at the time the best team in the NFL, the reigning MVP, and doing it – not like a dominant batch, so to say, but in a game where the Colts really control the tempo? Well, I think it was pretty perfect for the bye week to come when it did, honestly, kind of riding on the heels of one of their biggest wins in quite some time uh it didn't you know you'd love to have that kind

of momentum there going week into week uh but at the same time it also allowed them to probably get grounded again you know you're not still riding that high and, and thinking, you know, completely, you know, optimistic about things because you have to be realistic about certain things as well. So I think it gave everyone that I think the bye week gave everyone an opportunity to kind of get back down to earth and focus on the task at hand for this week because as big as Kansas City was a couple weeks ago, I think this game Sunday is just as big, if not a little bigger, to be honest with you. I think this game holds more playoff implications than the Kansas City game did because this is for the division.

I mean, not literally for the division by this point, but you kind of look at it being a two-horse race, so to speak, at this point between the Colts and the Texans. So it's kind of for the division. And as we saw last year with the Colts, could have wildcard implications as well. So there's a lot riding on this game already. Yeah, this is definitely, I think at this point, the game of the year for both sides, the Texans and the Colts. It's a possibility by the end of the day on Sunday, if the Ravens lose to the Seahawks,

the Colts or Texans could be the number two seed behind the Patriots in that playoff picture, which is pretty shocking. If you were talking about this two months ago and what's happened to the Colts with their quarterback situation, also missing their linebacker for half the time so far. Let me ask you that, Jake. With the Colts at three and two, of course, they have a chance to be four and two on Sunday. With the way they are right now, if I told you that, Jake. With the Colts at 3-2, of course, they have a chance to be 4-2 on Sunday.

With the way they are right now, if I told you that Andrew Luck back, let's say in late July, that Andrew Luck wouldn't play a single snap for the Colts this year and Darius Norton would be missing at least three games due to concussion the first five games, what would you say with them being 3-2 at this point? I think that would be absolutely acceptable, to be honest with you. Even if they would have been at full strength, I think three and two would have been a realistic view.

Because, I mean, if you look at it, the Chargers have kind of had some struggles. But going into the season, you kind of have to think they were one of the AFC's top powers. The Chiefs, that speaks for themselves. I mean, they kicked the Colts out of the playoffs last year. You got the Raiders. They're probably a little better than we thought they were as, you know, as NFL fans just a few weeks ago.

And then the Titans, you probably expected to come out on top of that one. I think three and two is a really good mark, honestly. Kind of putting realistic eyes on it, you probably would have thought they would have been 4-1 or 3-2 at this point, even if they were at full strength. Just because of, you know, the schedule's not been an easy one and it doesn't get a ton better as the season progresses. So I think that's pretty fair. And I think at the same time,

it gives us a look at what the Colts are. And I do think we see some improvement in some areas from early in the season. So I'll take it. Now let's dive into the preview. Now, Jake, I know our listeners love when you do positional breakdowns here. I wanted to start off with the quarterback position and your opinion of Deshaunun Watson now as he enters into, I believe, his third season now. And it seems like this is the kind of year where Deshaun Watson, everything's finally happening for him. Everything's breaking his way.

And he's definitely an elite quarterback now. He's in the MVP race. What's been your impression of Deshaun Watson? What are the Colts going to do to stop him? Yeah, I'm a big Deshaun Watson guy. I think he's absolutely one of the best. And I think he's officially arrived as one of those upper echelon guys, like you've said. I don't view him as just a guy who can buy time and make plays with his feet, because I think

he has a really good arm and can make a lot of talented throws. I think he's a complete quarterback. For him, I think his ability to run is just icing on the cake. I don't think that's what makes him special. So I think he is an outstanding quarterback. I don't think there's a ton you can really do to stop him because he kind of has that it. He has that

special ability to make something out of nothing. But I think we've seen from the Colts two victories against them last year. You got to rattle his cage. You just got to, you have to get to him. They sacked him 15 times, I think, in the three games last year. And although they haven't allowed a couple sacks in the last couple weeks, they are down their right tackle right now. Right tackle, right guard, Titus Howard. But no, he's been banged up this week, hasn't quite practiced yet. He is a rookie, but at the same time, you know, he's a talented player. I think the Colts could still get to him. I think just what we've seen from them against Houston in the recent past and getting to Patrick Mahomes four times two weeks ago, I think the Colts still have the ingredients there to go

ahead and get after Watson and maybe make him rush some decisions and force some interceptions. And if they get to him a couple times for sacks, maybe one of those is a strip sack. So I think that's what you got to do is just kind of force him into mistakes or kill opportunities to make plays. I know that can be said for everyone, but especially for a guy like him, who has that special ability to just make plays out of nowhere. I think you just kind of have to have to stick to the pressure on that one. The folks at Roman, a men's health company, are changing the game with Roman swipes. The secret to longer lasting sex.

Get $10 off your first order of swipes and free two day shipping. I get Roman dot com slash locked on NFL. sex. Get $10 off your first order of swipes and free two-day shipping at GetRoman.com slash LockedOnNFL. Again, that's promo code LockedOnNFL, L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N-N-F-L. I think it's fair to say that Sean Watson kind of falls in the category of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, these types of guys who I feel like it's better for you to keep them in the pocket than outside the pocket. Is that right? Yeah, you're probably right because, I mean, he's got a lot of chemistry with guys like Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins.

And if plays are breaking down and he can stay upright and get outside the pocket, you know, that's not beneficial for defensive backs. That means, you know, guys like Hopkins and Fuller can get open and get downfield. And that's what smart receivers do. When plays break down, when their quarterback has to get flushed out, they change what they're doing to get open for him. And that's the kind of receivers he has. And, you know, Will Fuller has elite speed.

He's one of the best deep ball receivers in the league deandre hopkins might just be the best receiver in the league at everything um so i mean you i think you're exactly right there it's it's better to keep him in the pocket now as far as watson goes jay got an mvp race so far i think it's fair to say he's in that with russell wilson where would who would you have right now as your MVP leader? Man, well, I mean, as you and I were just talking about, as things are about to get started, it looks like Mahomes, you know, is pretty banged up, and you hope for the best for him.

But certainly if he's out for any extended time and the Texans continue to have some success, then I think that boosts Deshaun Watson up there quite a bit. It's, it's hard. It's hard to say. I think I'd have to give it to, I think I would probably give it to Watson if I had to pick. I just think he does so much. That's not anything against Russell Wilson because I think he's outstanding as well. I think he's also an elite level quarterback and does a lot more than he's given credit for. He also has that special ability to make plays. He's one of those guys where if the ball's in his hands

in the last couple minutes, you're pretty confident he's going to do something with it. I think both those guys are excellent in crunch time, and I think that's something that makes an MVP, to be honest with you. Not just making the routine plays in the first few quarters. Both these guys are dangerous as the clock is ticking down. So it's kind of just a pick your poison, but I guess just from how close, up close and personal, we've seen Watson around here, I'd probably go with him.

That's definitely fair to say. I think it just goes to show that the Colts are going to be facing a top-tier quarterback on Sunday, maybe even the MVP leader at this point. It's going to be a very tough task for this defense. But let's look at the other side of the equation real quick with the Colts quarterback, Jacoby Brissett do you feel like with the Texans secondary we're getting to them in a second as well but their injuries that they have right now Bradley Roby is going to be out probably also another injury in the secondary

give it this this is the kind of week where like Atlanta like we saw with them it might be the week where Jacoby airs out a little bit yeah and I wrote that a little bit in my fantasy preview. This looks like another week where maybe the passing game opens up a little bit. I think any opportunity the Colts get to establish the run, and if they really start hammering it home, I think that's going to be kind of the script that the game follows. But the ingredients are there. I keep mentioning that. That's on my mind tonight, but no, the ingredients are there for this to be a high passing game. Again,

if you looked at it last year, Andrew Luck threw the ball all over the yard in those first two games. The third game against the Texans was more running, but Andrew had, I think he had over 400 in the first game and like 399 in the second game. So he basically had 400 in both games and threw for four touchdowns in at least one of those. So the Colts in very recent history have absolutely painted the air

against Houston. So, I mean, Jacoby's capable of doing it. We just saw it. So, especially with T.Y. being, you know, another week healthier from the quad, hopefully that opens things downfield a little bit more. This game being against Houston and just that, whatever that magical touch is he has against the Texans and Jonathan Joseph, you got to take that into account as well.

So, this could be Jacoby's next 300-yard passing game. I certainly wouldn't doubt it. Yeah, that would certainly be fun if he does get a 300-yard game because it means it'd be a lot of points, I assume, on the board for this Colts team. Because I feel like this running attack, Jake, we'll go to that for a second, because the run-the-damn-ball movement for the Colts

has really taken on a life of its own over the past few weeks and the Chiefs game was no no exception because they kind of dominated that game up front the the offensive line Marlon Mack this feels like a new identity to this team and I actually kind of love it yeah absolutely and the the really good part about that is it's it's not really matchup dependent either. They've done this against some really good front sevens. And you look at Houston, they always seem to have that really good front seven. And something I've written a couple times this week is on paper, Houston's run defense is pretty good. I mean, they rank eighth right now, only 88 yards per game, but teams are also only running against them the fourth fewest time. So that factors in. They're near the bottom of

the league. They rank 23rd in run plays of 20 plus yards allowed. They've given up five of those. And I believe the Colts have five of their own on offense. So the Colts are near the top in that category on offense while the Texans are near the bottom. And they're also – the Texans are near the bottom in third-down conversions and fourth-down conversions. And, I mean, the Colts, third and short, fourth and short, they're not going to be afraid to pound the ball down a defense's throat. So while Houston looks like a really good run defense, and by most accounts they are,

I do think it's very possible for the Colts to establish the run game and will again and impose their will like they did against Houston back in the playoffs. I feel this is something to touch on for a second here, Jake, because it was asked of Frank Reich this week about just Marlon Mack's touches so far. He's on pace for over 320 carries, which would be by far a career high for him. Most I believe is like 215 at USF one year when he was in school, in college down there. It feels like what Frank Reich responded to that question,

he said that just based off momentum and Marlon Mack, he feels can really carry the load for this team, which I'm not complaining about at all, because you've seen so far through five games, he could definitely carry that load. But what does it say about Marlon Mack and this team that he's on pace for 300 plus carries and he feels like he's doing just fine. He's not slowing down. He might be getting better. It's got to put a smile on Colts fans' faces, honestly. I I mean he was used pretty sparingly as a rookie and he was really really raw as a rookie as well because USF's system was not anything close to an NFL system and so how much ground he's covered just in these few years to where he could handle 20, 25 carries on any given night.

And he seems to set some new single game career high just about every week, it seems like. Against the Chiefs, it was 20 on carries. That was new career high. His rushing total was tied for his fourth highest. And, you know, he keeps breaking that. It literally seems like every week as he keeps getting these 100-yard games, but then they blow up to 125 yards, 140, 160, you know. He's really come a long way.

And, I mean, as far as his usage goes, I don't know that they're going to scale it down in games. I think they'll just let whatever happens, happens. But they're really cognizant of how they run guys in practice. So if they start thinking he's getting a lot of carries, maybe more than they expected, I would more so expect them to scale him back a little bit in practice. And running backs, I think that's perfectly

fine but you know at the same time they also have Jordan Wilkins who they love and you know he can pound it between the tackles if they do feel they need to give Mac a breather and you know at some point I would think they're really excited about getting Jonathan Williams out there there it the the opportunity just really hasn't arisen for it yet but I would think they are really excited about getting Jonathan Williams out there. The opportunity just really hasn't arisen for it yet, but I would think they are really excited about getting him out there at some point maybe because they really like him as well. He kind of fits in with Wilkins a little bit, really solid between the tackles, can catch the ball really well, and is a pretty decent pass protector.

If I had to guess, I don't think they'll purposely scale him back in games. I think they'd probably do it in practice. But, you know, they have the guys behind them to do the job if they feel it necessary. Flipping over to Houston now, Jake, and their rushing attack led by Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson. I honestly did not know they were a top- five rushing attack. I looked it up earlier today. The Colts are also top five. That's kind of sneaky good, this Texans rushing attack is. If the Texans can run well on Sunday,

it's going to open up a lot for Deshaun Watson. That's going to worry the Colts defense a little bit. Yeah, I think the biggest part of their run game that worries me to be honest is is watson just because uh really athletic fast quarterbacks like him if they get that edge you know it's not uncommon for a quarterback to pick up you know eight nine ten yards just about every time they carry the ball outside uh but for a running back, Carlos Hyde is a decent running back. But he's never been one that really strikes fear in you. I think he's very serviceable and he gets the job done. I mean, as we saw last week, he had over 100 yards

and it was his highest total since I think late in the 2017 season so he's still got it and this seems kind of like a career resurgence in Houston so it's good for them that did they didn't really miss much of a beat after Lamar Miller went down but of all those guys in the backfield it's definitely Watson's feet that worry me the most just because again athletic quarterbacks out in space they can pick up so many yards and do it really routinely uh duke johnson you know again more more of a pass catcher uh he is averaging if i read correctly i think he's averaging a pretty good yards per carry average like five or six or so uh so he he's always been talented i'm not surprised he's always been talented. I'm not surprised he's having some success there, but he's just kind of seldom used as far as a runner goes.

Now going into the playmakers here, Jake, for Houston, I feel like this is another underrated aspect of the Texans. I know everyone knows about DeAndre Hopkins here, but you have Will Fuller, you have Kenny Stills, you have Darren Fels done a really good job at tight end for them. This feels like a unit that there's a lot of options for Deshaun Watson to work with. Yeah, and their biggest issue in recent years with Watson's weapons has just been injuries. You know, Fuller has had a hard time staying healthy. The tight ends have had a hard time staying healthy. But with most of

their guys routinely in decent shape right now, I think he's got a really well-balanced attack around him. Darren Fels is a quality tight end. He can block and he can kind of move the chains. Jordan Akins has shown to be kind of a playmaking tight end. He can stretch a field a little bit and can do something with the ball in his hands after the catch. Kiki Cutie, as we saw last year, really effective slot guy. He's very dangerous. He's another guy that's got to stay healthy, though.

But Fuller, we kind of talked about just absolutely devastating deep threat. Um, if, if he gets behind you, you're probably toast. And then, um, Deandre Hopkins, just so he can do it all. He's in my opinion, he's got the strongest hands in the league. You almost never see him drop anything, uh, can run really good routes. He can stretch, stretch the field as well. His body control is outstanding. There's really nothing he can't do. And then, like we kind of talked about with the running backs, they're capable of catching the ball as well. You got a guy like Duke Johnson, who could be just as well of a slot receiver as he could running back, and that brings a different dimension as well. So I think for the first time, Watson has a relatively healthy

and well-rounded group of weapons around him. Do you ever find yourself wishing that you could make some extra cash with your NFL knowledge? At my book, they want to make your dream come true this season. Between football season and the MLB playoffs and the start of the NBA and NHL season, it's time to get off the side and get into action. If you're the kind of guy who likes to bet a lot, See you next time. No one gives you more than they do. If you really want to support your team this season, don't just sell no signs and get in the action with MyBookie. And if you join right now, MyBookie will double your first deposit.

Use promo code LOCKEDON, L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N, to activate the offer. That's promo code LOCKEDON and visit MyBookie.ag today. You play, you win, and you get paid. Before we go on to the defense here, we're going to close here and a couple of questions talking about your three keys to the game, Jake. But I feel like one Colts player I want to talk with you about for a second is Zach Paschal because I feel like each week he's becoming more and more of just like an underrated piece of the Colts offense and someone that I'm really just enjoying watching because not only is he gonna go

and give you a couple routes per game that you can get him open but his run blocking which is bread and butter it just it's so vital to this team right now as far as with all the injuries go, especially a wide receiver. Oh, absolutely. And it's been mentioned a couple times lately how his game as a receiver and route runner and pass catcher has kind of developed. And it kind of has to – it kind of puts defenses on their heels, to be honest, because a little bit like last year, whenever Pascal was out there, defenses knew it was going to be a run play. But now that's not necessarily

the case because they know he's able to make plays as a pass catcher. So that's been a really refreshing dynamic. He's the guy you can just never get rid of you know there's always sexier names on the roster but he always winds up being around and in the end and he he's he's a guy that any team would be glad to have you know you have to have those type of guys he's kind of like the jacked oil of receivers I kind of see it that way so really underappreciated guy nationally, but you know, there, there's nothing underappreciated about him in that organization. They love him. He does everything they ask. Now, before we go on, I just wanted to ask as well about Paris Campbell,

because I know a lot of listeners have been asking me about what's up with Paris Campbell when he's going to be back. Have you heard anything from coach Reich or anywhere else about Paris Campbell and his stats for the next couple of weeks? No, it was kind of noncommittal when it was mentioned leading up to the Chiefs game. You know, he had an operation, they said, and they didn't have much of a timetable. They just kind of said, you know, once he's, you know, once he's passed the procedure and they can kind of reevaluate things, then they might have a little more of a timetable.

But as we've seen, he's yet to practice. So that's probably going to be something that continues to be asked in the coming days. I'm sure we'll get an update there soon because it's something a lot of people want to know about. Oh, absolutely. Because now with Funchess and Campbell out there relying an awful lot on T.Y. Hilton as well as Zach Paschal we mentioned earlier in the tight end. But before we go on here, Jake, as well, we're going to dive into the defense here and how big of an entrance now, re-entrance, so to say, into the defense is Darius Leonard because he missed the last three games of

concussion. And now with him going against Deshaun Watson, we talked about before on film, you saw a couple plays last year where Deshaun Watson usually makes a run to get a first down, but Darius Leonard is one of those freak linebackers who with his speed and his length can close off a lot of angles. Yeah, so one big thing I kind of consider with this is the fact that when you're playing a quarterback like Deshaun Watson you know it's you got to bring everything you've got to the table and Darius Leonard has

played against him three times he's played well against him he's done a lot of different things you know he's covered DeAndre Hopkins in the slot multiple times. He has played a lot of pass coverage. He's sacked Watson a couple times. He's obviously had to play the run. I think he's spied him as well. Having Darius Leonard back, who has a lot of experience against Watson, that's just going to be huge in general. Just because whoever it was going to be otherwise in general uh just because who whoever it was going

to be otherwise you know bobby okariki ej speed those guys are rookies they haven't played deshaun watson yet but uh darius leonard has about as much experience against him as anyone in the league um so he's going to know his tendencies uh darius has he does a lot of film study he does a lot of preparation for individual quarterbacks so he'll be ready for this one I think one underrated loss to his defense that we saw in the Chiefs game near the end there and I think it's a pretty huge loss

for this team unless Ben Bonick is able to step up here and that's Kamoko Ture who is really turning into a breakout candidate for all edge rushers this year I think he ranked second before he got hurt in PFF and their rush grades. I think Tore's loss is pretty big, Jake. What say you? Yeah, it's very unfortunate because he's, you know,

it probably doesn't matter who you ask out here in the Colts media. I think we all would tell you that he's looked – he looked good last year, but he's looked even better this year a lot more consistent he doesn't really he didn't really have those long stretches where he disappeared he's a very consistent pass rusher I don't know that anyone on the roster has his blend of his blend of speed and bend and just kind of his ability to kind of bend the corners and get out of reach of tackles to get to the quarterback. And, you know, even on the play, he got hurt. I think he was making a big play there. Getting into the mix just got a little tangled up, I guess. But no, that one's going to hurt. He was arguably their best pure pass rusher.

So, you know, now they will need guys like Ben Banigou to step up. Justin Houston, obviously, don't even have to ask there. He's always going to bring his A game. But Jabal Sheard being back already, that definitely helps as well. He's, you know, probably of of a blend of run stopper and pass rusher rather than just the kind of pass rushing speed demon that that Trey was but they do have some guys there still who can get after the quarterback but no doubt that that one is going to hurt it's going to take away at least a couple pressures game and then we can

close on here before we go on to the Texans for a second, Jake. And I think a lot of fans, like myself, are very excited about Corey Wilson, what he's shown the past couple weeks. And I think he's a player now who, quite honestly, I think he deserves a starting spot now with the way he's played the past couple weeks. And he's really shown a lot of Colts fans that he's a stud safety. Yeah, he's someone that, how do you take him off the field? They're going to have to figure out a plan how to divvy up snaps at this point.

I mean, if Clayton is back this week, if, then, I mean, Kari will still be out there, I'm sure. But once Malik is back and once Gathers is back, with all three of those guys healthy, how do you divvy that up you know uh so we'll we'll see how that goes i definitely think he's someone you have to you have to find a role for um three safeties is not something that was uncommon for them anyways we saw that a ton last year uh but the thing is they also like like George Odom as well. So kind of really have to figure things out. And you know, maybe that's something they evaluated over the bye week. You know,

you got four safeties you really like, unfortunately, two of them are hurt at the moment. Maybe not more than four, but still, the top couple are hurt at the moment, but it's better to have this problem where you have too many good players. But I absolutely think there will continue to be a role once everyone's healthy. Going to the one big question on Houston's defense, where you dive in your three keys, Jake, I feel like with the secondary injuries that are happening right now from Houston, this feels like a game where the front seven is going to be huge,

especially the offensive line for the Colts, because outside of J.J. Watt and Whitney Merciless, I feel like there's really not much right now on the Texas defense. Yeah. There's rookie Charles Amana who's kind of coming on lately. Don't like to see it against your team, but he was one of my guys I really, really liked during the draft. So he's kind of coming on lately.

He got a sack against my homes last week. So I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a little more playing time coming up. He would certainly deserve it. But, yeah, that front seven, there's not a lot going on there as far as pass rush goes. We know their linebackers are good run defenders, so that might be tough. But no, there's not a ton more going on there. As far as the Colts go against Watson with the secondary injuries, I think you're right. You got to have both the

interior and exterior pass rush. You really want to see a guy like Danico Autry step up and have another big game against Houston like he has in the past. And with Ture going down, if you can have at least just one other guy from the outside step up and kind of give you both an interior and outside pass rush, I think that would be a huge bonus. Because like we've talked about, if you don't get pressure on Watson, then you're going to have a long day. Now going to your final keys to the game,

Jake, appreciate your time as always. I'm going to go, that's going to be a tightly contested game. Of course, thanks for one of the games of the week this week for NFL week seven, I'm going to go 2320 Colts. I believe they're going to follow a similar script to Kansas city.

Keep Deshaun Watson on the field as much as possible. I think the offensive lines can control this game with Marlon Mack running the ball. What do you think your prediction is and also your three keys for the listeners out there? I'll go 24-20 Colts. I see them coming out on top of this one. Some of the keys to the game. I think I'd like to see them go ahead and establish that run because with the exception of the Chargers game, which you could probably say they should have won,

they really don't lose those games where they dominate up front like that. And there was a lot of talk of just breaking Houston's will up front in that wildcard playoff game last year. So I'd love to see them establish the run again. The other one, of course, we've talked about it a lot, getting pressure on Watson. Again, the Colts sacked him 15 times in three games last year. You know, you get after him, you stand a lot better chance of winning it's just obviously that simple and then on the other side um you know don't don't let uh i mean deandre hopkins is gonna get his but you know stay disciplined let's see if they play some more man defense i i don't know how much that

depends on the injuries they've got right now uh but at the same time, don't, don't let him dominate, you know, he's going to always get his, but don't let him have one of those 13 catch 200 yard games. You know what I mean? Just, just kind of keep everything under control. I think we saw last or not last week, but against Kansas city, that's certainly possible. If they could do to Kansas city, what they did, then they should have a pretty – not easy time, but they should be capable of kind of holding any offense in check. This is certainly going to be a fun game on Sunday, Jake.

I'm going to be there for – in the Luke Solis day, I'm watching the game myself. I know you'll be there covering the game. So you can follow Jake on Twitter at Jake Arthur NFL, reading that digest his content as well over on cold stock, whenever you can appreciate the time, Jake. Yeah,

absolutely. Hope to see you Sunday.