Colts at Seahawks - What to look for
Finally someone found a way to beat the Colts. After the Chargers’ victory at the RCA Dome last weekend it looks easy in retrospect:
Quarterback Peyton Manning’s no-huddle offense has been dominant all season, but use plenty of shifting fronts, with players threatening to blitz then dropping back in coverage, and the plan is far harder to execute.
Opponents have tended to focus on the Colts’ crack receiving corps rather than on putting pressure on the offensive line. This means that defenses are stretched out and vulnerable to the running of Edgerrin James. Throw linebackers at the line and they can either deal with Manning (the four sacks inflicted by the Chargers count as a quarter of all those conceded by Indy all season) or stop James getting into the open field.
The Colts’ defensive backfield appears under-sized and can be out-muscled by larger receivers, like Chargers tight end Antonio Gates. The defensive front is near impossible to stop but it can be redirected. Defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis play at 100mph but can blow themselves out if pushed outside.
Can Seattle inflict similar damage? They have similar speed on defense to San Diego and lead the league in sacks with 45 and they rank seventh in the league in rushing yards allowed. Unfortunately they have an injury-hit defensive backfield, which could allow Manning to run wild if he is given sufficient protection.
However, in Joe Jurevicius and Bobby Engram they have experienced possession receivers who could again highlight the biggest weakness in the Colts side and QB Matt Hasselbeck is one of the toughest in the league, able to duck and dive to beat tacklers and gets passes off under pressure. Oh, and we haven’t yet mentioned running back Shaun Alexander, who could run over some of Indy’s fast-but-small linebackers.
The 12th man, and Seattle’s extra motivation to win make it a second miserable weekend for Indianapolis as the Seahawks take it 35-24.
(Season so far 5-4)
NFLBriefing.com
Quarterback Peyton Manning’s no-huddle offense has been dominant all season, but use plenty of shifting fronts, with players threatening to blitz then dropping back in coverage, and the plan is far harder to execute.
Opponents have tended to focus on the Colts’ crack receiving corps rather than on putting pressure on the offensive line. This means that defenses are stretched out and vulnerable to the running of Edgerrin James. Throw linebackers at the line and they can either deal with Manning (the four sacks inflicted by the Chargers count as a quarter of all those conceded by Indy all season) or stop James getting into the open field.
The Colts’ defensive backfield appears under-sized and can be out-muscled by larger receivers, like Chargers tight end Antonio Gates. The defensive front is near impossible to stop but it can be redirected. Defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis play at 100mph but can blow themselves out if pushed outside.
Can Seattle inflict similar damage? They have similar speed on defense to San Diego and lead the league in sacks with 45 and they rank seventh in the league in rushing yards allowed. Unfortunately they have an injury-hit defensive backfield, which could allow Manning to run wild if he is given sufficient protection.
However, in Joe Jurevicius and Bobby Engram they have experienced possession receivers who could again highlight the biggest weakness in the Colts side and QB Matt Hasselbeck is one of the toughest in the league, able to duck and dive to beat tacklers and gets passes off under pressure. Oh, and we haven’t yet mentioned running back Shaun Alexander, who could run over some of Indy’s fast-but-small linebackers.
The 12th man, and Seattle’s extra motivation to win make it a second miserable weekend for Indianapolis as the Seahawks take it 35-24.
(Season so far 5-4)
NFLBriefing.com
posted by MG at
11:02 AM
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