The Indianapolis Colts haven’t traveled abroad to play in the NFL’s International Series in more than seven years.
Gus Bradley, the defensive coordinator for the Colts, led Jacksonville at the time from the other sideline. The Jaguars defeated the Colts 30-27 at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2016, earning their first victory of the season.
While New England (2-7) is ranked 31st with an appalling 15.0 points per game and has only once this season surpassed 20 points, Indianapolis has scored 20 points in every game. Bradley acknowledged that every NFL team can score a lot of points and said that tackling was the main area to concentrate on this week during the coordinator zoom meeting on Tuesday.
“Let’s get back to being fundamentally who we are and get back to doing the things that we do,” Bradley said, “and last week we went back.” “I believe we went back more to Shane’s (Steichen) big words, which were execution, communication, and being on the details.”
Indianapolis (4-5) was able to produce a devastating pass rush against Carolina despite a reluctance to blitz, totaling four sacks as five players alternated in the front line surrounded rookie quarterback Bryce Young. DeForest Buckner, a defensive tackle for the Colts, has the sixth-highest pass rush grade (84.2) among defensive linemen, and his five sacks rank sixth in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
That’s what we’re aiming for. “When we first arrived, I mentioned that we needed to figure out a way to create rush,” Bradley remarked. We’re looking for eight or nine guys deep, if that’s possible. Nate (Ollie) does a fantastic job filling in. I felt Zay (Isaiah Land) did a good job rushing, and you saw him get in there at the end and get eight or nine reps so we can look at him under pressure.
“The ongoing quest is to identify eight reliable players who can produce a rush from a four-man look. While many guys are receiving numerous opportunities, we are just making an effort.
For 50 seconds we thought there was monsters on the world. pic.twitter.com/mEHfa2RrFb
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 7, 2023
Kenny Moore II led all cornerbacks in Week 9 with a 93.9 PFF coverage grade after returning two interceptions for touchdowns, while allowing just one first down reception. Moore has allowed the lowest passer rating (13.2) in single man coverage this season and his 0.79 yards allowed per snap is the third-fewest among qualifying cornerbacks.
The house calls with the hometown call.
📺 #INDvsNE | 11/12 on NFLN pic.twitter.com/JDyILZ2Dpa
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 6, 2023
The Colts had the third-easiest schedule going into this season, according to Sharp Football Analysis. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are the only two of the eight teams still playing in Indianapolis’ regular season schedule that have a winning record going into Week 10. In order to go into BYE week with a winning streak, a 20-point threshold is essential. The game is set to begin in Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.
