No Luck for Colts in matchup against Seahawks
Indianapolis quarterback sidelined by shoulder injury for Sunday’s game in Seattle
SEATTLE — When the schedule makers provided an opportunity to display the two quarterback stars from the 2012 draft, it seemed obvious to put Indianapolis visiting Seattle in prime time.
Too bad Andrew Luck’s right shoulder didn’t co-operate. Luck will again be a spectator on Sunday night when the Seahawks host the Colts in a matchup of 1-2 teams that have underperformed through the first month of the season.
While Luck is inching closer to returning from off-season shoulder surgery, he is not far enough along to make his return against the Seahawks and their quarterback, who was selected 74 picks after Luck was taken No. 1 overall in 2012.
That means Jacoby Brissett will make his third straight start for the Colts.
And Brissett has himself a fan in Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson.
“I think he’s going to be a great player for sure,” Wilson said.
Even though they’ve never played together, Wilson got to know Brissett through summer camps while Brissett was in college at North Carolina State. Wilson would hold one of his camps at North Carolina State while Brissett was playing for the Wolfpack.
“He was able to coach in them as well and he’s such a great worker,” Wilson said. “That’s the first thing I would say about him. Second, he really connects with the guys around him and does a good job of helping those guys really learn the game.”
Brissett might need to be nearly perfect for the Colts to pull out a victory in Seattle. If nothing else, Brissett has become insurance for when Luck finally returns to the field. He threw for 259 yards and had three total touchdowns — two running — in last week’s victory over the Browns.
“Ever since he walked in here he has been a quick study,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “He is picking up things fast, coaches have done a great job with him. Good leader. He has been able to move our football team, so hopefully we can do more of the same.”
Here’s what else to watch as the Seahawks and Colts meet in Seattle for the first time in 12 years:
STARTING FAST: Ugly would be one way to describe how Seattle’s offence has started games this season. Slow would be another.
The Seahawks have 16 first-half points through three games. They have 14 first-half punts through three games. Punter Jon Ryan is seeing far more of the field early in games than the Seahawks would like.
Last week against Tennessee, the Seahawks punted on six straight possessions to open the game, gaining just two first downs.
“I think our DNA as a team, the makeup of our team, we have a lot of guys who are very comfortable when their back is against the wall. When they’re in adverse situations, and when they have to come from behind,” said Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin. “I think that’s why we’ve shown the propensity to do well in those situations, and I think that might have something to do with why we start slow.”
MOVING ON UP: Colts running back Frank Gore keeps climbing the NFL’s career charts. He enters this week needing 50 yards rushing to pass Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (13,529 yards) for No. 7 in NFL history. With nine carries, he will pass Hall of Famer Marcus Allen (3,022 attempts) for No. 8 all-time. With 15 carries, he’ll pass Edgerrin James (3,028) for No. 7. He needs one rushing touchdown to tie Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett (77) for No. 21 and two scores to tie Ricky Watters (78) for No. 20.
Gore’s next 100-yard rushing game will tie O.J. Simpson for 16th most in NFL history at 42. Gore has five 100-yard games, but just one rushing touchdown in 19 matchups with the Seahawks. Gore could do all of it in his 100th consecutive start, the longest active streak of any running back in the league.
BIG PLAYS: Seattle’s vaunted defence has shown itself vulnerable to big plays early this season. Seattle has allowed three offensive touchdowns of 30 or more yards in three games, including two last week to Tennessee.
The Seahawks believe the issues are minor fixes, but it’s unlike their defence to be allowing long TDs. Seattle allowed two offensive TDs of 30 or more yards the entire 2014 season.
RUNNING SOLUTION: Looks as if Seattle has found its running back in rookie Chris Carson, a seventh-rounder who has 37 carries; no other Seahawks RB has more than eight. But a franchise that prides itself on a powerhouse running game has not scored a TD on the ground.
Steelers (2-1) at Ravens (2-1)
As early as it might be in the NFL schedule, several division games could be considered relatively critical in Week 4.
That includes the best rivalry in the league, the Steelers against the Ravens.
“This game is crazy,” Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger said. “It’s a special game. I’m still here and (linebacker Terrell) Suggs is still over there. We’ve got a lot of respect for each other in this rivalry.
“I think we’ve got enough guys here that have played this physical AFC North game. Both there and here, playoff game or whatever it is. I don’t think it will take long if the young guys don’t know now what it’s going to be about.”
Among other things, it’s for first place in the division. Maybe that doesn’t sound significant at this point of the season, but with both teams 2-1, and Cincinnati and Cleveland both winless, the victor at Baltimore takes quick control in the AFC North.
Since the start of 2008, 12 times this game has been decided by three points or fewer.
Suggs, Big Ben’s buddy — well, not exactly — echoes the quarterback’s sentiments.
“You have to get an extra lift in the weight room,” says Suggs, who has more sacks on Roethlisberger (16 1/2) than anyone. “This is, I would say, the biggest rivalry in the NFL. It is definitely the most physical rivalry in the NFL, and it is because of the two teams’ style of play. You don’t cross paths without some things in common. We respect them, but we also know what it is.”
Oakland (2-1) at Denver (2-1)
Another terrific rivalry. With the Chiefs off to such a brilliant start, and both of these teams coming off stinkers, the loser here could be doing lots of chasing in the AFC West.
The juiciest matchup is the Raiders’ dynamic offence against a Denver D that is at a Rocky Mountain high at home.
Denver’s No. 4 overall defence ranks first against the run after shutting down Melvin Gordon, Ezekiel Elliott, and LeSean McCoy. Good luck, Beast Mode.
Detroit (2-1) at Minnesota (2-1)
Detroit’s opportunistic defence, which leads the NFL with a plus-6 turnover margin, has seven interceptions. Minnesota has not thrown any.
Perhaps the spotlight should be on the kickers. Matt Prater made field goals of 55 and 57 yards for the Lions last week, becoming second only to Sebastian Janikowski in NFL history with 10 career 55-plus makes; Janikowski has 13. Kai Forbath has made all 21 field goals attempted since joining the Vikings for the final seven games of last season.
Over that 10-game span, Forbath’s tied with Prater and Jacksonville’s Jason Myers for the most makes.
Tennessee (2-1) at Houston (1-2)
One reason Houston has controlled the AFC South in recent seasons is winning five of the past six with Tennessee. Its defence must slow down the ground-eating tandem of DeMarco Murray, who had a 75-yard TD last week, and Derrick Henry.
Surprisingly, J.J. Watt has no sacks thus far. But he’s gotten to the QB in eight straight matchups with Tennessee.
Carolina (2-1) at New England (2-1)
No one feels sympathy for the Patriots, but Tom Brady well knows the previous time they faced the Panthers — a controversial non-call on star linebacker Luke Kuechly preserved a Carolina victory.
“Might have got away with one there,” Kuechly admitted this week. “I’m not even gonna act like I didn’t. I might have got away with one.”
Told of Kuechly’s comments, Brady said: “Oh, man. Let’s replay that one then, too. That was a tough game.”
Washington (2-1) at Kansas City (3-0)
The Redskins’ only win in nine meetings was 34 years ago. Washington has been outscored 191-69 in six games since.
Although both defences have looked strong recently, this could be an offensive showcase. Each team has a dynamic back: the Redskins’ Chris Thompson (13.0 yards per touch) and Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt (9.6) are tops at the position. KC leads the NFL in rushing.
But Washington didn’t allow Oakland to convert a third down last week in 11 tries.
Buffalo (2-1) at Atlanta (3-0)
Although they are 3-0, the defending NFC champs have had two way-too-tight escapes on the road to go with a romp past Green Bay at home. If Matt Ryan repeats his three-interception performance at Detroit, the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium might not be so comfortable for Atlanta.
Buffalo’s defence has been staunch under new coach Sean McDermott, allowing two touchdowns to match a franchise low through three games. The Bills need more from LeSean McCoy than he managed in the win over Denver, but he has scored four times in his past three meetings with the Falcons.
L.A. Rams (2-1) at Dallas (2-1)
Surprisingly, a marquee matchup because the Rams have found an offence. QB Jared Goff, the top overall draft choice in 2016, is showing maturity and accuracy. He had a career-best 145.8 passer rating against the 49ers with 292 yards and three TDs. He’s fourth in the NFL with a 118.2 rating, and the Rams come off a lengthy break following their win against San Francisco.
Dallas, on the other hand, played at Arizona last Monday night. Its defence has developed a pass rush led by DeMarcus Lawrence, who tops the NFL with 6 1/2 sacks, including three against the Cardinals.
New Orleans (1-2) vs. Miami (1-1) at London
The Dolphins slept through their meeting in the Meadowlands with the Jets, and now they head to Wembley, where they lost the very first regular-season NFL match staged there. It’s already been a difficult season for them, from losing their starting quarterback to Hurricane Irma to a seemingly endless string of road trips.
For New Orleans, last week was an awakening at Carolina, with its defence stymieing Cam Newton and getting three interceptions.
One player to watch: Miami RB Jay Ajayi, who is from London.
San Francisco (0-3) at Arizona (1-2)
Keep an eye on Cardinals star receiver Larry Fitzgerald. He has 16 TD catches against San Francisco.