Colts Coordinator’s Corner: Preparing for the Patriots
The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) have what is being viewed as their most important matchup in hosting the New England Patriots (9-4) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 15.
With the game being on Saturday at 8:20 p.m. ET, offensive coordinator Marcus Brady and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus met with the media on Monday.
Here are some of the big takeaways from their pressers entering Week 15:
Keeping the run game going
There is little doubt that the Patriots will do everything they can to stop the incredible train that is Jonathan Taylor. Even with the Patriots likely selling out to do so, Brady talked about getting creative with their run designs.
“I mean you still got to try and find ways to run the ball even with a stacked box, which we’re working on. Our guys up front are able to make holes, create holes. Then, you have to try to open it up as well. Whether that’s with the play-action, some naked, some movements – to be able to hurt them when they are stacking the box. So, it’s kind of having a balance of both.”
It’s not also just with the ground game, either. It involves getting both backs going in the passing game.
“Then, you want to try and get him involved in the (pass) game because if we’re not able to run it well, which hasn’t happened too often – when we’re not able to run it well, you still want to be able to keep him involved in the game because eventually, as the game goes along, we can start wearing teams down and then get back to the run game if they’re stopping it early.”
A multiple offense
Eberflus and the Colts defense will have to prepare for an offense that is willing to change given the scenario. In Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills, they threw the ball just three times because of high winds. They are also willing to throw the ball more like they did against the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
“Yeah, I mean you look at the Buffalo game. Obviously they had 50-mile-per-hour winds coming off of Lake Erie. So, I don’t know if you can look at that game and say, hey yeah, that is what they’re going to do week in and week out. You look at the whole body of work, which is, it’s a very efficient offense run and pass.”
The Patriots offense, led by Josh McDaniels, will use whatever matchups they can. That means all of the running backs and tight ends will be involved in some way.
“They’ve done a nice job of utilizing their skill at the running back level as well as the receiver level. The tight ends that they have, they’ve done a good job with that. Then obviously with the quarterback and the efficiency of the quarterback. So, I think you look at the whole body of work and they’ve done a nice job and I think you have to break it down for what it is and then kind of go from there.”
Keeping tabs on Judon
The one player that the Colts must have eyes on every play will be edge rusher Matt Judon, who is enjoying a career season during his first with the Patriots. Brady acknowledged Judon’s versatility and the fact that they will have to game plan around him.
“Yeah, I mean it’s a good balance with what they got, with what they do. They do a good job with their edge rushers period as far as there’s some plays where they’re not rushing because they’re standing at the line of scrimmage batting passes down. Sometimes they’re knocking tight ends away to disrupt them in the passing game and the timing.”
The Colts have some experience against Judon during his days with the Ravens, but the Patriots have made it so that the veteran is playing a very versatile and unpredictable role.
“Then, obviously there’s times where he’s getting after the quarterback. So, a very good player. Obviously, we played against him in Baltimore the last two years, or the last year. He’s doing a great job. He knows how to beat his man one-on-one. We’re going to have to have an answer for him. We’re going to know where he is on the field at all times.”
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