Welcome to Week 7 of the 2023 NFL season. The Indianapolis Colts (3-3) welcome the Cleveland Browns (3-2) to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday in an AFC showdown.
Behind the strength of their defense, the Browns have some recent stellar wins against league heavyweights, including the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6.
They’re looking to play spoiler to Indianapolis, but the Colts could walk away with a massive upset if they focus on a few items.
Here are the keys to victory for the Colts in Week 7:
Don't play hero ball
One of the things that got Carson Wentz in trouble during his time in Indianapolis was the assumed need to make big plays. During his tenure, Wentz made some “wow” throws and plenty of “what just happened?” throws. Many head-scratching throws happened because he tried to make big plays, often forcing footballs into spaces they shouldn’t be in.
In Week 6 against Jacksonville, quarterback Gardner Minshew fell into the same trap. In a game that felt like shades of the Colts playing in Jacksonville past, Minshew turned the ball over four times, including three interceptions. The debacle in Duval likely wouldn’t have happened had Minshew kept things in front of him.
If Minshew plays smart, clean football in Week 7, the Colts will greatly help themselves.
It's okay to be a game manager
Speaking of helping, Minshew has to do himself a solid by being the game manager he is. Part of what makes Minshew one of the better backups in all of football is that he can dink-and-dunk his way all the up the field quickly.
In Week 7, he has to get back to that. He’s not going to be as dynamic as Anthony Richardson, but knowing when to push the ball down the field and when to take what the defense gives you is paramount to providing the Colts the best chance to win.
All hands on deck
“All hands on deck” doesn’t mean needing everyone to pitch in so much as it means getting the running backs involved in the receiving game. It will be tough to run between the tackles on this Browns’ defense; they are allowing just under four yards per play. That is not a typo.
The best thing the Colts can do is spread this defense out and take advantage of any soft spots in the coverage. Get Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss involved in screens and put them in the slot. Minshew will need extra targets, with Kylen Granson and Alec Pierce battling injuries.
Plug the middle with help
Indy’s defense is solid against the run because of the prowess of DeForest Buckner and his partner, Grover Stewart. However, with Stewart out until Week 14, Indy will need a herculean effort from off-season acquisition Taven Bryan and anyone else who can help.
The Colts must be ready for Cleveland to attack the middle of their defensive line, potentially getting to the second level. If that happens, the team will also need to enlist the services of Zaire Franklin and the linebacker corps, who are having a good year.
Special teams cannot save the day
As remarkable as Matt Gay has been this season, Indy cannot rely on him to save the day. The Cleveland defense has been highly stingy to opposing kickers, allowing the fifth-least points per game across the league.
If Indy wants to win this week, it will have to be on the backs of the entire team. As cliche as it sounds, all three phases must work together to capitalize on opportunities: value the football, preferably score touchdowns in the red zone, limit third down conversions by getting off the field, and limit the big chunk plays where possible.
Find ways to slow down Myles Garrett
Much easier said than done. Garrett has game-wrecking abilities as a pass rusher and has been one of the most disruptive players in that regard this season. The Colts will be trotting out rookie Blake Freeland for the fourth consecutive game and second consecutive game at right tackle in place of the injured Braden Smith.
Completely containing Garrett is a pipe dream, but there are other ways to neutralize his impact. Whether it’s implementing more double teams, using backs and tight ends as chips or emphasizing the quick-passing game, the Colts can’t let Garrett be the one to beat them.
