Indianapolis Colts have chance to provide unique matchup for Bills
The Indianapolis Colts enter the AFC playoffs as the first No. 7 seed in the new postseason format. Can they pull a big upset against the Buffalo Bills?
No team is hotter entering the playoffs than the Buffalo Bills. The No. 2 seed in the AFC has won six straight and if not for a Hail Mary (Murray) in Arizona, the win streak would be 10.
The chore for the Indianapolis Colts, then, is to somehow go to Orchard Park, NY and beat them in their own building. Not easy, but possible.
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Indianapolis enters with an 11-5 record, and has the Bills to thank for their postseason ticket. Buffalo beat the Miami Dolphins, 56-26, in a meaningless game for Buffalo in Week 17. Without that victory, the Colts would have missed the playoffs.
Now, they try to beat Josh Allen and an offense rolling at the right time. Yes, Stefon Diggs leads the NFL in both receptions and receiving yardage, while Allen has amassed 4,544 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in the air.
How can it be done? Starts with coaching and a reliance on running the ball.
Defensively, Indianapolis coordinator Matt Eberflus is one of the league’s best. The Colts rely heavily on a Cover 2 zone scheme, keeping teams in front of them and forcing long, sustained drives.
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Indy ranks T-10 in yards per play against (5.4) and despite blitzing at the 31st-lowest rate, has a pressure percentage of 22.2 percent, ranking 14th. The unit is 10th in sacks with 40. Â The Colts are also excellent against the run, ranking second in yards per carry allowed (3.7).
Offensively, the Colts must sustain a ground game. In his last six games, rookie running back Jonathan Taylor has 741 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. The Bills, known for their offense, rank T-22nd in allowing 4.6 yards per carry. This is the way for Indianapolis to both chew up yardage and control the clock.
In the air, quarterback Philip Rivers has options. While nobody on the Colts amassed more than T.Y. Hilton’s 751 receiving yards, they have an incredible nine guys with at least 250 yards. Buffalo will have to guard a legion of tight ends, receivers and backs who could all be the primary target on any play.
While the Bills are a seven-point favorite for a reason, don’t overlook the Colts. They have the offensive balance, defense and coaching staff to pull a stunner on Saturday.
