The Tantalizing Ten: Lions 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 (0-0) begin their 2016 season on Sunday afternoon hosting the Lions (0-0)?
It's not an award that will be on Andrew Luck's resume anytime soon. But, Luck was the top passer in the NFL this preseason (80.1 percent). It was about a 20 percent rise from where Luck usually is at completion percentage wise, in the preseason or regular season. Will we see a higher percentage quarterback trickle into the regular season, too?
The Colts' starting cornerbacks on Sunday are likely going to be two free agent acquisitions they made this offseason. Patrick Robinson on one side and newcomer Antonio Cromartie on the other. With Vontae Davis still dealing with the medial strain, the Colts need for Cromartie to play at his 2014 Pro Bowl level.
You know Detroit is going to chuck it on Sunday and that will test the range of T.J. Green. Playing alongside Mike Adams, Green gives the Colts a rangy, sideline-to-sideline, safety that is coveted in today's NFL. Green and Adams have worked together all throughout camp and the preseason. The Colts could be starting three rookies on Sunday, if inside linebacker Antonio Morrison joins Green and Ryan Kelly in the lineup.
A former top-five pick, Ezekiel Ansah showed that ability last year with 14.5 sacks. Around Ansah, the Lions are now healthy in the defensive front. That group is one of the strengths of the team and will test a banged up Colts offensive line.
It appears a knee scope from a month ago won't keep the durable Langford out of the lineup on Sunday. Langford has NEVER missed an NFL game in eight seasons (128 games played). The Colts will lean on Langford Sunday (even if he's on a pitch count) with Henry Anderson not going to play.
The Colts know four of their starters on the offensive line this weekend. The unknown is probably at left guard with Jack Mewhort and Joe Haeg still working back from preseason injuries. Harrison is the guy to slide over to left guard, a spot he's seen some action at in the NFL. Harrison's first start in college was at left guard, before moving over to center for three seasons.
In the second half of last season, Stafford had a plus 17 touchdown-to-interception ratio in the final eight games. On Sunday, Stafford's blindside will be protected by first-round pick Taylor Decker. This was a name many Mock Drafts had pegged for the Colts in the first round of this past year's draft. It was the Lions who took Taylor Decker at No. 16 overall though and he will be opposite Robert Mathis on Sunday.
It's NFL season No. 12 for one of the game's most durable running backs in recent memory. Gore is still the lead man in Indianapolis with three newcomers now backing him up. If the Colts offense wants to be near the top of the NFL in 2016, they will need to be more balanced with Gore the focal point of that goal.
Sunday will be Robert Mathis' first regular season opener since the 2013 season. Back then, he had an NFL-best 19.5 sacks. Mathis did not play in the preseason, but believes he is full go. The Colts should have a favorable matchup in Mathis, the all-time sack leader, opposite rookie left tackle Taylor Decker on Sunday afternoon.
If you haven't heard of Riddick, you will on Sunday. There might not be a more dynamic third-down running back in all of football. Last season, Riddick led all NFC running backs with 80 catches. Riddick is much more than just a safety valve when it comes to third downs.
