1.) It's funny, but since james Sanders has been on the bench, fast running backs and wide receivers have been giving us less trouble. I'm not saying everything was his fault, but we have significantly improved since McGowan has been on the field more. If our safeties work on their tackling technique, we can reduce their opportunities for yards after the catch.
2.) One of the most interesting match ups this week is going to be whoever on our D lines up against Dallas Clark. He sometimes lines up out wide. Sometimes he's in the slot. Somtimes he lines up conventionally. How we handle him in those various situations will be improtant to our success.
3.) I think Bodden will most likely be lined up against Reggie Wayne. If we have Meriweather shade towards Wayne's side, he can be contained. When faced with violent aggression, Colts receivers have tendencies to drop balls. I know last year Wayne caught a touchdown pass in the end zone and Meriweather blasted him. I don't think he'll be to eager to pay that kind of price for a touchdown this time.
4.) We don't know if Koppen will be out. The good news is that he doesn't have to rush back. The Colts aren't a team that blitzes alot up the middle. Also, their DT's aren't that big. Connolly should be able to do ok. If he is a better run blocker than Koppen, all the better. We'll see. The big test on offense will be Volmer vs Freeney. This is it folks. If Volmer can use his size and speed to contain Freeney's effectiveness, we can have a very good night.
5.) This one is related to four. If Brady gets enough time, he can have a big day. The Colts secondary is decemated. Last year, the Colts had a rookie corner up against Moss. Cassel took almost no deep shots at Moss. This year, I don't think we repeat that mistake. Brady seem to be making serious strides towards becoming his old self. Bob Sanders is out and so is Marlin Jackson. On the linebacker level, Tyjuan Hagler is also out. We have some good matchups.
6.) If Ben Watson continues to step up, we can't let this guy go. He's made key catches this season. I think he still remembers his very, very, very very, poor performance against the Colts last year. His lack of aggressiveness cost us an interception. I don't think he lets something like that happen again. With weaknesses in the Colts secondary, Gary Brackett will be forced to stay at home in coverage. if we throw Baker and Watson at him, things can get very tricky for him.
7.) Who the hell are they going to put on Welker. If they put a linebacker on him for the jam, we win. If they put some young inexperienced corner on him, we win. If they put a safety on him, then either Moss, Aiken, Tate, or Watson wins.
8.) Maroney is putting it together. Teams have shown that they can run on the Colts. Most teams don't run the ball because they have fallen behind. If we can maintain ballance, we can wear them down with the run, and destroy them with the pass. I don't know about you guys, but I want blood. They have had some big wins against us in the past. I want a blow out. The Colts have had a soft schedule so far. The olnly good teams they faced were the Cards and the Fins. Guess what? We beat the Fins by 10! They beat them by less than a touchdown!
10.) McGowan, Guyton, Thomas, and Meriweather have the speed to handle Clark, Addai, and Brown in various situations. We have options. We can confuse them.
11.) The bad: We have one good pass rusher.
12.) The bad: Our best pass rusher has about 3 sacks.
13.) The bad: We're not that great against the run either.
14.) The bad: Mathis will be up against Kaczur.
