The Tantalizing Ten: Broncos 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 (0-1) hit the road for the first time this season in traveling to Denver (1-0)?
In his last three games, Von Miller has six sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Surprisingly, the Colts have done a tremendous job in neutralizing Miller. The Super Bowl 50 MVP has yet to record a sack in three games against the Colts. He's made it clear this week that getting Luck on the ground has his full attention this weekend.
Coming off one of the finest performances of his career, Andrew Luck now sees the most menacing defense in the NFL. Luck was distributing the ball all over the field in Week One. Can he have that same success against a defense that battered Cam Newton last Thursday?
Where would the Colts be without Mike Adams the last three years? That's a bit scary to think about especially right now. Adams is the traffic cop right now and the last day of school has been let out. The veteran safety is getting guys lined up around him who haven't even been Colts for a month, some not even a week.
When we analyze the slow starts for the Colts, the inability to win early downs, therefore not setting up third-and-manageable situations, has hindered the offense. The run game didn't help things early in Week One. Frank Gore had just 17 rushing yards in six carries in the first half (Gore then had 8 carries for 42 yards in the second half). The Colts need to get Gore going early to keep the chains moving.
For the most part on Sunday, it's going to be DeMarcus Ware opposite left tackle Anthony Castonzo, and Von Miller across from right tackle Joe Reitz. Why have the Colts won three of their last four against Denver? Well, Reitz and Castonzo have held their ground. Remember, Reitz was the starting right tackle in the 2014 Divisional Playoff win out in Denver, when Luck wasn't sacked in 43 pass attempts.
The feature back in Denver is clearly C.J. Anderson. Against the Panthers, Anderson had 92 rushing yards and 47 receiving yards, with touchdowns in the run and pass game. As the Broncos bring Siemian along, Anderson has to be a major focal point for the offense.
That signing of Antonio Cromartie back during the preseason looks even more significant at each passing day. With Patrick Robinson dealing with a concussion and Vontae Davis still rehabbing, Cromartie is clearly this team's top outside cornerback. In Week One, the cornerback play held up with Matthew Stafford doing most of his damage on underneath routes.
The aggressive Denver cornerbacks have had fits in covering the speedy T.Y. Hilton. If the offensive line can give Andrew Luck time again in Week Two, the wide receivers should have chances to make plays. We did see the Colts hit on four pass plays of at least 32 yards in last Sunday's season opener.
Matthew Stafford had way too much time to operate in Week One versus the Colts. Now in Week Two, the Colts will see a mobile quarterback in Trevor Siemian. With the secondary still banged up, Mathis and the pass rush has to carry their load for the defense.
We saw Denver's new quarterback attempt just one ball over 20 yards in his starting debut last week. The Colts would love to force the inexperienced starter to take shots down the field. Kind of an odd stat on Siemian from Week One: he was prefect throwing to his left against the Panthers (10-of-10 for 118 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT).
