The Indianapolis Colts are coming off an encouraging performance and win in Week 11 over the Jets. However, building upon that becomes a lot more difficult with the Detroit Lions awaiting the Colts in Week 12.
The Lions will enter this game at 9-1 on the season and have been a juggernaut more often than not. They boast the NFL’s top-scoring offense and also have one of the game’s top scoring defenses as well.
To help us preview this uncommon opponent, Jeff Risdon, the managing editor of Lions Wire, was kind enough to answer five of our questions to help provide some insight into this red-hot Detroit team.
The Lions are dominating, but is there an under-the-radar aspect of this team that doesn’t get as much attention?
Risdon: The man coverage by the outside cornerbacks, Carlton Davis and Terrion Arnold, is very strong. They will give up some penalties, but they’re both outstanding man-coverage CBs who are also pretty strong against the run. They also communicate and coordinate with safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch very well, and that’s the best safety tandem in the NFL–something that I don’t think gets enough run outside Detroit.
If there’s an area where opponents have found some sort of success against this team, what is it?
Risdon: There really hasn’t been anything consistent that’s worked against Detroit. Tampa Bay beat the Lions by controlling game script and making OC Ben Johnson get impatient. He’s not done that since. Teams that can throw from outside the pocket can be problematic, but again–the safeties do a great job of making that very risky.
Who is an under the radar player on offense and defense for Colts fans to know?
Risdon: On offense, center Frank Ragnow probably should be known by everyone by now. He’s the best all-around center in the league. There might be 1-2 better run blockers, there might be 1-2 better pass blockers, but he’s the complete package.
Defensively, fans should definitely know Kerby Joseph and Alim McNeill by now. They’re both very easy Pro Bowlers and All-Pro candidates this year. One guy who doesn’t get enough credit is Josh Paschal. He starts at EDGE and has played well when healthy, able to get pressure in multiple gaps and very disruptive against runs outside the B-gap.
How has the Lions’ pass rush fared since losing Hutchinson?
Risdon: It’s been significantly lowered. The Lions also lost Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes, who were the other starting pass rushers to begin the season. Alim McNeill is still a major load at DT, and Za’Darius Smith brought a lot in his first game last week. There has been an uptick in blitzing, though losing LB Alex Anzalone–the best blitzing LB–hurts there.
Who wins and why?
Risdon: The Lions have too many paths to victory. Dan Campbell has done a masterful job of making sure the Lions force the opponent to play to Detroit’s level, not vice versa. Having said that, I do expect the Colts to hit some big plays on offense.
Lions 31, Colts 23
