COLTS POSE CHALLENGE
CARDINALS PASS OFFENSE VS. COLTS PASS DEFENSE
Arizona needs to get this unit cooking out of the gate to regain some confidence and re-establish some of its identity. What would really be a help is if they can put together a 15-play, nine-minute drive like the Lions did to them to open up last week’s game in Detroit. Kyler Murray said his ankle injury is well behind him now, so look for him to return to his MVP-level play on the national stage in primetime. The Colts rank 18th against the pass (234.1 yards per game), but teams are only completing 64.5-percent of their passes against them. The Colts are tied with the Cowboys for the most forced turnovers (31) in the league, and that’s something where Murray and the Cardinals need to be mindful. Indianapolis has plenty of playmakers on defense, especially defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, linebacker Darius Leonard and cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
Edge: Cardinals
CARDINALS RUN OFFENSE VS. COLTS RUN DEFENSE
Arizona got away from the run game vs. Detroit, primarily because the Lions had built a 17-0 lead at halftime. The Cardinals need to do whatever is necessary to get their rushing attack going against the Colts, however, because if Jonathan Taylor is going off in Indy’s run game, time of possession will be essential. Chase Edmonds looked fresh and fast in his return last week after sitting out four games with a high ankle sprain. James Conner, though, is dealing with a heel issue that could limit his participation. The offensive line needs to play its best to get this unit going and Murray may have to use his legs more than he wants. A huge key here will be the availability of Cardinals center Rodney Hudson, who has been on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Edge: Cardinals
COLTS PASS OFFENSE VS. CARDINALS PASS DEFENSE
Carson Wentz completed 212 consecutive passes without an interception in games from Week 2 through 8, which was good enough for the longest such streak in team history. He’s also had a streak of six straight games with multiple touchdown passes this season. The Colts, though, are 22nd in passing yards per game (204.4). Their offensive line is stellar, however, and Arizona will have its issues when trying to crank up the pass rush. This is a game where the Cardinals may need to rely more on their secondary to bat away balls, intercept passes and tip balls as well as tipping balls at the line of scrimmage. Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (68 receptions, 889 yards, 5 touchdowns) will need to be shadowed tightly. This isn’t the most feared passing offense in the league by far, but if the Cardinals aren’t
careful, it’s good enough to burn them.
Edge: Colts
COLTS RUN OFFENSE VS. CARDINALS RUN DEFENSE
This is the single-most important area of the game for either team and ultimately figures to determine who wins and who loses. Taylor, who leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,518) and rushing touchdowns (17), is a game-changer who can wreck Arizona with another monster game. When he rushes for 100 or more yards this season, the Cardinals are 8-0. The Cardinals’ rush defense has had its share of problems throughout the season, ranking 17th at 112.8 running yards per game. Expect Arizona to stack the box as often as possible, using sheer numbers to bring congestion and traffic to try and corral Taylor. The problem is, he still finds way to squeeze into the second level and then use his breakaway speed to do damage. Putting eight men up front also allows Wentz to get his share of one-on-one matchups in the passing game.
Edge: Colts
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Colts have blocked two punts that
they’ve returned for touchdowns, both by E.J. Speed, who becomes the first player since at least 1994 to accomplish the feat in the same season. He joins Ed Reed (Ravens, 2002-03) and Blake Countess (Rams, 2017-18) as the only players over that span with multiple punt block return scores. Arizona punter Andy Lee was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday and his availability will be something to keep an eye on leading up to the game.
Edge: Colts
TIPICO SPORTSBOOK ODDS: The Cardinals are 1½-point favorites. The over/ under is 49.5. Money line: Cardinals -117, Colts -103
OVERALL
This is turning into a game the Cardinals cannot afford to lose. They’ve already lost two in a row for the first time this season. A win and Arizona is in the playoffs. This isn’t going to be easy, however. The Colts are a solid team that plays physical, disciplined football and will do everything in their power to try and run the ball down the Cardinals’ throats. If they do — and I think they will — Indianapolis is going to win.
Pick: Colts 23, Cardinals 20