The Tantalizing Ten: Bears Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts (1-3) have a home contest with the Bears (1-3) on Sunday afternoon?
In London, the Colts allowed a career-high six sacks against Andrew Luck. The Colts were starting three rookies on their offensive line but even Anthony Castonzo had his struggles on Luck's blindside. Like the Colts need from other vets, they have to get improved play from Castonzo.
On run-downs and in the base defense, look for Antonio Morrison to fill the early void of Sio Moore. Morrison, a fourth-round pick out of Florida, has played sparingly already in 2016. Besides Morrison, Josh McNary will see plenty of reps, in more obvious passing situations.
A very familiar face will be on the visiting sideline this weekend. Jerrell Freeman's 41 tackles are the third most in the NFL this season. The Colts know full well how motivated Freeman will be on Sunday. There's no denying just how important Freeman was to this defense from 2012-15.
Phillip Dorsett leads the NFL in yards per catch (23.9). But Dorsett has only caught nine passes this season. With Donte Moncrief sidelined for at least another week, the Colts have to find more ways to get the ball in the hands of their biggest game breaker.
Back in 2012, Andrew Luck's NFL debut came against the Chicago Bears. This week he will see a defensive coordinator (Vic Fangio) that he played with at Stanford. Luck will also see an inside linebacker (Jerrell Freeman) that knows No. 12 pretty well. Can Luck get back to what we saw against San Diego, when he was able to incorporate other skill guys without Donte Moncrief?
The journeyman quarterback has thrown for 300 yards in back-to-back weeks. Brian Hoyer has filled in quite nicely for the injured Jay Cutler (thumb). The Colts have seen Hoyer first hand. Last year in Houston, Hoyer relieved Ryan Mallett and threw for 312 yards in a Thursday night matchup versus the Colts.
The first quarter of the season has been a bunch of "almosts" for Robert Mathis. Erik Walden is pacing the pass rush with 4.0 sacks (third most in the NFL). The Colts have to start getting more pressure from Mathis though. Getting Mathis revved up would force opposing offenses to decide how they need to handle their blocking schemes with Walden having a strong start to 2016.
With 20 rushing yards on Sunday, Frank Gore will pass Jim Brown for 9th on the NFL's all-time rushing list. Think about that for a second. Gore is about to pass arguably the greatest running back this game has ever seen. In the past two weeks, Gore has 23 carries for 126 yards. It's the second halves that have led to the abandoning of the run, due to time and score.
It's taken five weeks, but the Colts will finally have their expected starting cornerback duo on the field. Patrick Robinson will be opposite Vontae Davis on Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium. With Antonio Cromartie gone, Davis and Robinson are your starters outside, and the return of Darius Butler should fill in at the slot position.
More injuries have hit the skill players of the Bears. Chicago is already down their starting running back and now their No. 2 wideout in Kevin White. Jeffery, and his 6-4 frame, is still the top target. Besides Jeffery, elusive wide receiver Eddie Royal (seven catches for 111 yards last week) has been a favorite target of Brian Hoyer.
