The Tantalizing Ten: Bengals 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 welcome the Bengals on Sunday afternoon?
As if opposing defensive coordinators needed one more thing to worry about preparing for the Colts offense, Hilton added to that list last week. It was yet another career outing for the third-year receiver. The Colts offense is loaded with playmakers but no one has the instant, blink of an eye, ability like Hilton.
For the first time since the Colts home opener, Jones has practiced this week. If Jones can get back in the lineup this week that would be huge (literally and figuratively) considering the elusive Giovani Bernard across the ball. The defensive line depth, particularly Ricky Jean Francois, has definitely grown in Jones' absence.
Facing two of the more formidable fronts in football the last two weeks, Harrison certainly held his own from a physical standpoint. A few growing pains for any rookie lineman is to be expected but Harrison has emerged from a trio of centers in trying to stabilize the interior of the Colts offensive line. Geno Atkins, one of the game's best interior linemen, awaits this weekend.
With the Bengals missing so many pass catchers this weekend, one would think Bernard is going to get a heavy dose out of the backfield. Last Sunday, the Panthers held Bernard to 48 yards on 17 carries but he broke one for 89 yards to signify the type of back he is capable of being. Cincinnati isn't afraid to work Bernard similar to how Houston uses Arian Foster.
Luck continues to orchestrate one of the finest offenses in the NFL and his four games of at least 370 passing yards is a major reason for that. As the first half MVP debate begins to reach the midway point, Luck has found himself on virtually every list. Against the Bengals, Luck will see an opportune secondary filled with former first-round picks.
Werner's game-clinching strip/sack on Thursday night cemented the Colts current four-game stretch of 16 sacks. The task takes a step up in competition on Sunday with Andy Dalton being sacked just twice in the last 151 pass attempts.
Last Thursday marked the first time Freeman, the Colts leading tackler the last two years, has played a full game in 2014. His presence is critical in the middle of the Colts defense. Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham had six catches for 68 yards last week so expect Freeman to get that cover a few times against Cincinnati.
Considering the weapons Dalton has missed in 2014, the fourth-year quarterback has performed quite well for the 3-1-1 Bengals. Bernard is the focal point on Sunday but you know if the Bengals are going to earn a victory in Indianapolis, Dalton will have to make some plays late. In 2014, Dalton is the best fourth-quarter passer in the NFL.
With Bengals All-Pro receiver A.J. Green out on Sunday, Davis might not seem to be as important as once thought. However, Bengals receiver Mohamed Sanu did his best Green impression last week with 10 catches for 120 yards. In the last three weeks, Sanu has been targeted 31 times so there's no doubt Davis and Greg Toler will get some work on Sunday.
Fair catches and Jones shouldn't be in the same sentence. Jones hasn't called for a fair catch in 82 straight punts (last year the NFL average had 58.1 percent of punts being fair caught). Pat McAfee and Jones (two former West Virginia Mountaineers) had a nice back and forth on Twitter this week with the Colts punter hoping for some non-returns on Sunday. Last week against Carolina, Jones had a 97-yard kick return.
