After an 8-9 season in 2024, the Colts raced to an 8-2 start this year. What, aside from a new quarterback, led to that improvement (or was it just the quarterback)? And after three straight losses, what do the Colts need to do to get back on track?
Stankevitz: The QB played the biggest role – Jones came in and grabbed hold of not just this offense, but this franchise. He and Steichen meshed instantly. And then the season began turning the wrong way after the Colts beat the Falcons in Berlin, when sometime during that game, Jones sustained a fibula injury. He never made excuses about it, even as coaches and teammates marveled at how he was somehow playing through some pretty significant pain. The Achilles’ tear was an awful end to what was a special season for Jones.
Other than him, a few things. The rise of fourth-year wideout Alec Pierce into being a complete receiver, beyond just a deep threat, opened up a ton for this offense. So did the addition of rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who’s been spectacular as a pass-catcher and physical as a run blocker. The Colts’ offensive line has, for the most part, been healthy – though they’ll be without stalwart right tackle Braden Smith this weekend.
How does this team get back on track? They have to stay ahead of the chains and be efficient on first down, especially now with Jones out. But even before, this was an offense that would struggle in third-and-seven+ straight dropback situations. Getting running back Jonathan Taylor going again is a must this weekend and down the stretch. And then defensively, with DeForest Buckner still on IR, cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. joining him and Sauce Gardner out, an undermanned Colts defense is going to have to figure out some solutions – and fast.
Jonathan Taylor has come back to earth a bit in the past three games after an all-world performance in Week 10 (286 all purpose yards, three TDs), is that just the result of catching a few strong defenses, or are teams changing up how they defend Steward given all his success this season. And given the situation at quarterback, how important is it to get Taylor going again?
Stankevitz: Whether it’s Rivers or Leonard, the Colts have to get back to the explosiveness with which they ran the ball early in the season. The secret to the Colts’ run game is they weren’t ruthlessly efficient on the ground, but they were remarkably explosive, with Taylor’s ability to score from anywhere on the field massive in the first half of 2025. Free-running linebackers have been a problem for the Colts recently, and stopping those guys from getting into the backfield is going to be important.
Aside from the obvious big names, what player or players could you see being an X-factor for the Colts in this game?
Stankevitz: I’ll go with safety Cam Bynum here. There’s no such thing as keeping a lid on JSN, but if you’re going to keep the proverbial pot from boiling over, having Bynum prevent downfield explosives feels big here. Plus, if the Colts are going to win, they’ll have to win the turnover battle – maybe by a decent margin – and Bynum’s ball-hawking skills could be a reason why they do, if they do.
What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out on Sunday?
Stankevitz: The Colts can’t let Leonard Williams wreck the game from the interior, whether that’s through pressure in the pocket or by running some run stunts to free up linebackers to fly downhill toward Taylor. How center Tanor Bortolini and right guard Matt Goncalves handle Williams will be something I’ll be watching. And then the looming question: Who’s going to cover JSN on the outside? The Colts likely will roll with Mekhi Blackmon and Jaylon Jones out there. Those guys have played plenty of snaps this season, but they’ll have to be up the task against, in my opinion, the best offensive player in the NFL.
