Considering the Colts: Indy Should be Confident Against Atlanta

The Colts defeated the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday to get into the win column. It wasn’t a work of art, but everyone made plays when they needed to.

The Titans have an underrated defense that gave the Colts fits for most of the game. Marlon Mack and Jordan Wilkins did not have fantastic stat lines, but they fought for every yard they could get which resulted in Wilkins breaking off a 55-yard run that set up the game-winning touchdown. 

Jacoby Brissett did not have as good a game as he had in week one. He looked indecisive at times, but he was able to extend plays with his legs and avoid sacks. Brissett stayed poised in the fourth quarter and delivered a touchdown pass to T.Y. Hilton that proved to be a game-winner. 

Head coach Frank Reich lauded Brissett, saying “he almost seems most calm in the fourth quarter. I like the look in his eyes when the game is on the line.”

If Frank Reich likes the way his guy looks during crunch time, then so do I. The first two weeks, Brissett has led touchdown drives in the final period and hasn’t batted an eye at the situational pressure.

The defense kept Derrick Henry in check, which forced Marcus Mariota to try to make plays with his arm. Darius Leonard and the defense cleaned up a lot of missed tackles that factored into the Week 1 loss. Leonard is in concussion protocol and could potentially miss the next game, which would be a huge loss.

The Atlanta Falcons come to town for the home opener this Sunday, where the secondary will have to come ready to play against perhaps one of the best receiving corps in the game featuring Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Matt Ryan is one of those quarterbacks that can explode in one game for over 400 passing yards and multiple touchdowns. I would expect the Colts to come out in their zone defense and try to keep Jones and Ridley in front of them.

Brissett and the offense are facing another good defense that has allowed the fewest passing yards in the NFL so far. I would love to see Frank Reich get more creative in the play calling and get young receivers like Parris Campbell, who caught his first NFL touchdown against the Titans last week, more involved.

Running the ball will not be as much of an issue as passing since Atlanta is giving up about 110 yards a game. Mack is dealing with a calf/hamstring injury that has caused him to miss practice which would mean Jordan Wilkins will get a bulk of the load.

I think that if the Colts can check the Atlanta receivers and stay balanced on offense and implement some creativity to make Brissett’s decision making easier, the Colts will win their first game at home.