What's up everyone? Welcome into another episode of the Two Minute Drill podcast presented by Nerd Wallet. I'm JJ Stankobitz, joined today by my man Casey Valier, talking a little last minute updates of Week fifteen. A big game, massive massive the Colts against the Denver Broncos. Case the Colts playoff odds with a win or at sixty six percent. With a loss, they dropped to nine percent. I can't think of a game in Week fifteen that's had like these implications when there are still three more games to play after this one.

What's up everyone? Welcome into another episode of the Two Minute Drill podcast presented by Nerd Wallet. I'm JJ Stankobitz, joined today by my man Casey Valier, talking a little last minute updates of Week fifteen. A big game, massive massive the Colts against the Denver Broncos. Case the Colts playoff odds with a win or at sixty six percent. With a loss, they dropped to nine percent. I can't think of a game in Week fifteen that's had like these implications when there are still three more games to play after this one.

That's one thing that we were kind of talking about this week is it's late in the season, but it's still early when you think about what the playoff odds really are. And yeah, I mean, ultimately, the winner of this game more than likely is going to be a playoff team.

That's one thing that we were kind of talking about this week is it's late in the season, but it's still early when you think about what the playoff odds really are. And yeah, I mean, ultimately, the winner of this game more than likely is going to be a playoff team.

I mean, I know, I think that's probably fair.

I mean, I know, I think that's probably fair.

It's probably fair to say, and it's wild to think that after this game there's still three more games for both teams. So that is it is kind of a wild thing to think you're this late in the season but you're still that early in the playoff push. Yeah, I mean, it's a crazy predicament Denver.

It's probably fair to say, and it's wild to think that after this game there's still three more games for both teams. So that is it is kind of a wild thing to think you're this late in the season but you're still that early in the playoff push. Yeah, I mean, it's a crazy predicament Denver.

After they play the Colts, they got a gauntlet is they got at the Chargers on Thursday Night football, So that's four days after this game, they go to the Bengals, who I know they're five and eight, but they you know, they got a top five offense. Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, Yeah, look right, yeah, I mean they can beat anyone on any night. Their defense might be Swiss cheese, but like they're a good, dangerous football team. Then you end the season with the Kansas City Chiefs, who may or may not have something to play for in that game. The Colts, meanwhile, they face teams that have double digit losses down the stretch. I think that's why these odds swings so significantly. Taking into account, the Broncos still would have a one game lead on the Colts, right, but if the Colts win this game, all they have to do is tie the Broncos record, and with their remaining schedule home against the Titans, on the road against the Giants, home against the Jags, you feel pretty good about those odds.

After they play the Colts, they got a gauntlet is they got at the Chargers on Thursday Night football, So that's four days after this game, they go to the Bengals, who I know they're five and eight, but they you know, they got a top five offense. Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, Yeah, look right, yeah, I mean they can beat anyone on any night. Their defense might be Swiss cheese, but like they're a good, dangerous football team. Then you end the season with the Kansas City Chiefs, who may or may not have something to play for in that game. The Colts, meanwhile, they face teams that have double digit losses down the stretch. I think that's why these odds swings so significantly. Taking into account, the Broncos still would have a one game lead on the Colts, right, but if the Colts win this game, all they have to do is tie the Broncos record, and with their remaining schedule home against the Titans, on the road against the Giants, home against the Jags, you feel pretty good about those odds.

And all three of those teams have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, So that is when you look at you know, strength of schedule. The rest of the way, you definitely favor that Colt schedule. So that's why in this game is just massive, Like you can beat around the bush and say, oh well, there's still a road or a path you can find. The easiest way to do it is to get a victory on Sunday.

And all three of those teams have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, So that is when you look at you know, strength of schedule. The rest of the way, you definitely favor that Colt schedule. So that's why in this game is just massive, Like you can beat around the bush and say, oh well, there's still a road or a path you can find. The easiest way to do it is to get a victory on Sunday.

Yeah, I mean. And the other thing too is if the Texans lose to the Dolphins, they don't have an easy schedule down the stretching, I'd.

Yeah, I mean. And the other thing too is if the Texans lose to the Dolphins, they don't have an easy schedule down the stretching, I'd.

Get real questionable there in the AFC South. For sure.

Get real questionable there in the AFC South. For sure.

They go to Kansas City on December twenty first, and then they host the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas four days later, and then they end the season at Tennessee. And I know Tennessee is kind of limping to the finish, but that's a Titans team that ended the jag season last year. Absolutely, so you know that that is a you would much rather get those divisional opponents at home, like the Colts have right on the road, because as we've seen, you go on the road in Week eighteen against a team you think you should beat that's in your division, sometimes it doesn't go your way.

They go to Kansas City on December twenty first, and then they host the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas four days later, and then they end the season at Tennessee. And I know Tennessee is kind of limping to the finish, but that's a Titans team that ended the jag season last year. Absolutely, so you know that that is a you would much rather get those divisional opponents at home, like the Colts have right on the road, because as we've seen, you go on the road in Week eighteen against a team you think you should beat that's in your division, sometimes it doesn't go your way.

It's kind of crazy when you look at the way the schedule has worked out, because early on we talked about Man all of these road you had that gauntlet where it was you were on the road for essentially the entire month of October and it was all your road divisional games. And now you kind of look at the end of the season, it's like, kind of nice to have that late by, even though we were all talking about Man such a late bye, late bye some home games to close. Not a bad way to kind of wrap things up, for sure.

It's kind of crazy when you look at the way the schedule has worked out, because early on we talked about Man all of these road you had that gauntlet where it was you were on the road for essentially the entire month of October and it was all your road divisional games. And now you kind of look at the end of the season, it's like, kind of nice to have that late by, even though we were all talking about Man such a late bye, late bye some home games to close. Not a bad way to kind of wrap things up, for sure.

But it all comes down to this game in Denver. If the Colts lose this game, like you mentioned, case, there is a path, but it is not one that you want to follow that it's very complicated. It's one that you know we'll get there if we have to get there, right. But let's hope the Colts can win this game, and let's talk about some guys who might be back for this game, starting with Josh Downs. Shane Stikeen would not say on Friday, as we're recording this, he wouldn't totally commit to Downs playing, but he said he looks good.

But it all comes down to this game in Denver. If the Colts lose this game, like you mentioned, case, there is a path, but it is not one that you want to follow that it's very complicated. It's one that you know we'll get there if we have to get there, right. But let's hope the Colts can win this game, and let's talk about some guys who might be back for this game, starting with Josh Downs. Shane Stikeen would not say on Friday, as we're recording this, he wouldn't totally commit to Downs playing, but he said he looks good.

Yep.

Yep.

Downs was a full participant in practice on Thursday. Due to the shoulder injury that kept him out of Week thirteen. If the Colts do get Josh Downs back case, that's Anthony Richardson's favorite target right going into this game against.

Downs was a full participant in practice on Thursday. Due to the shoulder injury that kept him out of Week thirteen. If the Colts do get Josh Downs back case, that's Anthony Richardson's favorite target right going into this game against.

It without a doubt. I mean, Josh Downs, he just he does so many things that you don't realize until he's out and then you're like, that's where we miss him. You miss him there, you miss him there. So that is one of the things that getting Josh Downs you talk about a security blanket. It's so key, especially because we have seen kind of the development since Anthony Richardson was reinserted back into the lineup of you know, kind of hitting those layups if you will, and Josh Downs is probably the king of the layups because her like I always love third down, third and you know third and manageable. Where is Josh Downs Because he's probably gonna be the guy it's gonna be a git to that first down and those are what are gonna be so key in this game because we've talked about it all year. Time of possession and all of that. So being able to sustain drives offensively and Josh Downs does that better than anybody else on this team.

It without a doubt. I mean, Josh Downs, he just he does so many things that you don't realize until he's out and then you're like, that's where we miss him. You miss him there, you miss him there. So that is one of the things that getting Josh Downs you talk about a security blanket. It's so key, especially because we have seen kind of the development since Anthony Richardson was reinserted back into the lineup of you know, kind of hitting those layups if you will, and Josh Downs is probably the king of the layups because her like I always love third down, third and you know third and manageable. Where is Josh Downs Because he's probably gonna be the guy it's gonna be a git to that first down and those are what are gonna be so key in this game because we've talked about it all year. Time of possession and all of that. So being able to sustain drives offensively and Josh Downs does that better than anybody else on this team.

I think I think he just kind of unlocks the entire passing game for the Colts as well, because you think about how Alec Pearson, Michael Pittman Junior, your primary outside guy's kind of playoff downs, Yeah, where Downs is the guy who can he can separate against man coverage if you try to do that in the slot against him, or he he knows exactly how to find space within his zone out of the slot. Having said that, Aleck then becomes your your downfield threat and your guy can maybe win on kind of like a deep over route where he can just kind of u his speed to separate from a corner. Pitts the guy who's a sort of your slasher, yeah, where you know, if he gets a quarter yard a separation on a slant or a dig, he can make a play. But it all kind of comes together because of Josh Downs. And I think that, you know, as we look back on that Patriots game that maybe it was a little bit uneven at times with the passing game. Having Downs in there and kind of pushing everyone into a different role in terms of the pass catching pecking order. I think is so valuable going against a Broncos team that's gonna play a ton of man coverage. You got Pats or Tan out there, whoever he's covering, he's going to take him away. And that's no selec to whoever, whether it's Alec, whether it's ok whether it's Ady Mitchell. That is because for my money, Pats or Tan's the best corner in the NFL. He's gonna take him away. But if you have Josh Downs out there, all of a sudden, okay, you got some more options out there. And I think it just brings it all together.

I think I think he just kind of unlocks the entire passing game for the Colts as well, because you think about how Alec Pearson, Michael Pittman Junior, your primary outside guy's kind of playoff downs, Yeah, where Downs is the guy who can he can separate against man coverage if you try to do that in the slot against him, or he he knows exactly how to find space within his zone out of the slot. Having said that, Aleck then becomes your your downfield threat and your guy can maybe win on kind of like a deep over route where he can just kind of u his speed to separate from a corner. Pitts the guy who's a sort of your slasher, yeah, where you know, if he gets a quarter yard a separation on a slant or a dig, he can make a play. But it all kind of comes together because of Josh Downs. And I think that, you know, as we look back on that Patriots game that maybe it was a little bit uneven at times with the passing game. Having Downs in there and kind of pushing everyone into a different role in terms of the pass catching pecking order. I think is so valuable going against a Broncos team that's gonna play a ton of man coverage. You got Pats or Tan out there, whoever he's covering, he's going to take him away. And that's no selec to whoever, whether it's Alec, whether it's ok whether it's Ady Mitchell. That is because for my money, Pats or Tan's the best corner in the NFL. He's gonna take him away. But if you have Josh Downs out there, all of a sudden, okay, you got some more options out there. And I think it just brings it all together.

And I mean we mentioned it earlier, the late bye. It kind of gave him a couple of weeks and we've talked about how important this game. It's kind of nice that you were able to get the victory against New England. He had two additional weeks. When we talked to him in the locker room this week, he said that the week against the Patriots was kind of his by spy, which he can't really do much. So he kind of ramped things up last week. And you know, we talked to him on Wednesday Thursday and he said he should be good to go. So he thinks he's a little more confident than what we were able to hear from, you know, on Friday, But ultimately that's one of the things that you've gotten two weeks of Josh Down's healing up, and you just unleash him because he is so vital to this offense.

And I mean we mentioned it earlier, the late bye. It kind of gave him a couple of weeks and we've talked about how important this game. It's kind of nice that you were able to get the victory against New England. He had two additional weeks. When we talked to him in the locker room this week, he said that the week against the Patriots was kind of his by spy, which he can't really do much. So he kind of ramped things up last week. And you know, we talked to him on Wednesday Thursday and he said he should be good to go. So he thinks he's a little more confident than what we were able to hear from, you know, on Friday, But ultimately that's one of the things that you've gotten two weeks of Josh Down's healing up, and you just unleash him because he is so vital to this offense.

Yeah, check the Friday injury report when that comes out. We're recording this before the final injury report comes out, but that'll be out usually about four o'clock on Friday, so you can check to see if he is a questionable designation or if he doesn't have a designation that means he is good to go. Or let's talk about two guys who are on injured reserve but return to practice this week. That would be center Ryan Kelly and linebacker Jalen Carlis case on those two guys, Kelly was limited on Wednesday and Thursday. Carlives was full. Yes, so maybe a little more question if Kelly's gonna play versus car Lives. Tanner Borderlini was also full. It looks like he's gonna be good to go. So if Kelly can't play, you would have Bordolini in there. But if Ryan Kelly plays, I think this would be huge because you're going into the most hostile atmosphere you're going into all season in Denver, you get a December game. I was just talking to Eric Dealala, the Broncos team reporter, and he said, in Denver, they're talking about this is the biggest Broncos game since Super Bowl fifty.

Yeah, check the Friday injury report when that comes out. We're recording this before the final injury report comes out, but that'll be out usually about four o'clock on Friday, so you can check to see if he is a questionable designation or if he doesn't have a designation that means he is good to go. Or let's talk about two guys who are on injured reserve but return to practice this week. That would be center Ryan Kelly and linebacker Jalen Carlis case on those two guys, Kelly was limited on Wednesday and Thursday. Carlives was full. Yes, so maybe a little more question if Kelly's gonna play versus car Lives. Tanner Borderlini was also full. It looks like he's gonna be good to go. So if Kelly can't play, you would have Bordolini in there. But if Ryan Kelly plays, I think this would be huge because you're going into the most hostile atmosphere you're going into all season in Denver, you get a December game. I was just talking to Eric Dealala, the Broncos team reporter, and he said, in Denver, they're talking about this is the biggest Broncos game since Super Bowl fifty.

Wow.

Wow.

Okay, because of the implications of it, because Denver hasn't been to the playoffs since y yeah, and so you know that atmosphere in Denver is going to be electric, it's gonna be loud, it's gonna be tough. And having a veteran center, especially against a team that loves the blitz right in the Denver Broncos, I think having a veteran back there would really behoove this offense. Now, having said that, if Ryan Kelly isn't ready to play, you can't just say, all right, hey man, you got to get out there, Like, if he's not ready, he can't play. But if there's a shot that you can get Ryan Kelly back for this week, I just I think that's so important for what you can do in terms of diagnosing what Denver's doing, keeping a cool head against that Vance Joseph defense in that kind of environment.

Okay, because of the implications of it, because Denver hasn't been to the playoffs since y yeah, and so you know that atmosphere in Denver is going to be electric, it's gonna be loud, it's gonna be tough. And having a veteran center, especially against a team that loves the blitz right in the Denver Broncos, I think having a veteran back there would really behoove this offense. Now, having said that, if Ryan Kelly isn't ready to play, you can't just say, all right, hey man, you got to get out there, Like, if he's not ready, he can't play. But if there's a shot that you can get Ryan Kelly back for this week, I just I think that's so important for what you can do in terms of diagnosing what Denver's doing, keeping a cool head against that Vance Joseph defense in that kind of environment.

Absolutely, I mean that is one of the things that you don't realize what all a sinner does in some like you know, the average football fan maybe, but he is so vital to when you talk about diagnosing a defense, keeping everybody kind of on that, you know, right, I mean, he's the leader of that line, right. Ryan Kelly has done such a wonderful job for so long. I mean, that's a reason why when you constantly see the Colts offensive line to start, Ryan Kelly has just been a staple and he has been such a good player for this Colts team. And he will help Anthony Richardson in that kind of scenario because I mean, when you talk about the depth or the veterans on this team, it really isn't that veteran Leyden team, you know, And and Ryan Kelly brings that. This is a guy who has played in playoff games, He's played in these types of environments, so that definitely will help in that. And you talk about this this Broncos thing, one of the things I didn't didn't realize until this week is that they have at a sellout at home every week since nineteen seventy. Yeah, so you talk about a big game, they're already coming when it's not you know, these biggest games. So you put all this playoffs, you're out in the NFL, and they still show up. So yeah, yeah, yeah it's gonna be it's gonna be a raucous environment. If people have talked about the altitude, all of that's gonna play into it. But if you can get Ryan Kelly back, I mean, he's just one of those guys that you just to feel very very calm about what that offensive line is gonna do because it is gonna keep everybody right there where they should be.

Absolutely, I mean that is one of the things that you don't realize what all a sinner does in some like you know, the average football fan maybe, but he is so vital to when you talk about diagnosing a defense, keeping everybody kind of on that, you know, right, I mean, he's the leader of that line, right. Ryan Kelly has done such a wonderful job for so long. I mean, that's a reason why when you constantly see the Colts offensive line to start, Ryan Kelly has just been a staple and he has been such a good player for this Colts team. And he will help Anthony Richardson in that kind of scenario because I mean, when you talk about the depth or the veterans on this team, it really isn't that veteran Leyden team, you know, And and Ryan Kelly brings that. This is a guy who has played in playoff games, He's played in these types of environments, so that definitely will help in that. And you talk about this this Broncos thing, one of the things I didn't didn't realize until this week is that they have at a sellout at home every week since nineteen seventy. Yeah, so you talk about a big game, they're already coming when it's not you know, these biggest games. So you put all this playoffs, you're out in the NFL, and they still show up. So yeah, yeah, yeah it's gonna be it's gonna be a raucous environment. If people have talked about the altitude, all of that's gonna play into it. But if you can get Ryan Kelly back, I mean, he's just one of those guys that you just to feel very very calm about what that offensive line is gonna do because it is gonna keep everybody right there where they should be.

Having said that, Tendor Borderline's having a really good seals He's been great, Yes, So like I don't want to diminish what he can do from a you know, a physical standpoint in there. From a mental standpoint, he is playing really good football. But I again, I just I lean toward give me the guy who's the longest ten year member of the Colts, if he can play at center making a big impact in this game.

Having said that, Tendor Borderline's having a really good seals He's been great, Yes, So like I don't want to diminish what he can do from a you know, a physical standpoint in there. From a mental standpoint, he is playing really good football. But I again, I just I lean toward give me the guy who's the longest ten year member of the Colts, if he can play at center making a big impact in this game.

No, exactly, not a not a stab at Borderline at all or same with I mean, you gotta tip your cat started a great game.

No, exactly, not a not a stab at Borderline at all or same with I mean, you gotta tip your cat started a great game.

Yeah, like relative to expectations, Man Dandy Pinter had a awesome game.

Yeah, like relative to expectations, Man Dandy Pinter had a awesome game.

Against I mean you have, it's been very impressive what this this whole staff. Give them a massive pat on the back for what they've done with this offensive line because it's been kind of a revolving door all season long, and you really haven't missed a beat they have put in guy, I mean Mackinsoalvez has played so well as a rookie.

Against I mean you have, it's been very impressive what this this whole staff. Give them a massive pat on the back for what they've done with this offensive line because it's been kind of a revolving door all season long, and you really haven't missed a beat they have put in guy, I mean Mackinsoalvez has played so well as a rookie.

Tanner Ward probably he's gonna go on Sunday as well. Right, Brandon Smith's out, YEP.

Tanner Ward probably he's gonna go on Sunday as well. Right, Brandon Smith's out, YEP.

It has been impressive to see what this rookie group has done because they have come in for big shoes to fill, and they've done.

It has been impressive to see what this rookie group has done because they have come in for big shoes to fill, and they've done.

A really good job at linebacker with Jail and Carlies. I'm curious if he comes back, if he's gonna start, or he's gonna be kind of that you know, you're kind of third linebacker, or if it's still gonna be Grant Stewart. I think Stewart's played pretty good football. Yeah, he's been especially against the run, he's been really solid. So something to keep an eye on there as we go forward. And then the other guy who is out for this game is wide receiver Ashton Duel and we mentioned Braden Smith will not play. No, Ashton Dulan. You lose a you know, kind of a core special teamer there, and a guy who provides good depth a wide receiver. But you know, for the most part, though, Cayse the Colts getting healthy there as the season has gone on, and that that is not something you can take for granted at this point in the NFL calendar.

A really good job at linebacker with Jail and Carlies. I'm curious if he comes back, if he's gonna start, or he's gonna be kind of that you know, you're kind of third linebacker, or if it's still gonna be Grant Stewart. I think Stewart's played pretty good football. Yeah, he's been especially against the run, he's been really solid. So something to keep an eye on there as we go forward. And then the other guy who is out for this game is wide receiver Ashton Duel and we mentioned Braden Smith will not play. No, Ashton Dulan. You lose a you know, kind of a core special teamer there, and a guy who provides good depth a wide receiver. But you know, for the most part, though, Cayse the Colts getting healthy there as the season has gone on, and that that is not something you can take for granted at this point in the NFL calendar.

No, not at all. I mean, if you think about the guys that have been hurt throughout the year, you know, you got a guy like Taekwon Lewis back a couple of weeks ago. You had DeForest Buckner who was on IR at one point he has been back, and ultimately since all of that has happened, it's really been a healthy bunch. So that's where I've kind of looked at this bye week as a bit of a blessing where you anticipate, you know, you want the bye week earlier just because you know, you want to make sure you're you're rested up and gear it up for all these but ultimately where it came, it's kind of been best case scenario because you mentioned the health, you have been healthy, so this is more of a week to you know, really rest up and you got that you know, final four game, a final four push to really just hone in on everything you need to do and you're already healthy. So it's been a very big positive for this team. And I mean if you're able to get you know, we mentioned it there with Ryan Kelly and and Jalen Carlis, because Carlis also gives you another special teams guy that's had you know, like a good amount of run early in his career. So that's one thing that it's going to be very beneficial for this team starting to get really back to that full depth of what you saw at the beginning of the year.

No, not at all. I mean, if you think about the guys that have been hurt throughout the year, you know, you got a guy like Taekwon Lewis back a couple of weeks ago. You had DeForest Buckner who was on IR at one point he has been back, and ultimately since all of that has happened, it's really been a healthy bunch. So that's where I've kind of looked at this bye week as a bit of a blessing where you anticipate, you know, you want the bye week earlier just because you know, you want to make sure you're you're rested up and gear it up for all these but ultimately where it came, it's kind of been best case scenario because you mentioned the health, you have been healthy, so this is more of a week to you know, really rest up and you got that you know, final four game, a final four push to really just hone in on everything you need to do and you're already healthy. So it's been a very big positive for this team. And I mean if you're able to get you know, we mentioned it there with Ryan Kelly and and Jalen Carlis, because Carlis also gives you another special teams guy that's had you know, like a good amount of run early in his career. So that's one thing that it's going to be very beneficial for this team starting to get really back to that full depth of what you saw at the beginning of the year.

There are only two guys on the Broncos injury report, safety Brandon Jones, but then cornerback Rilly Moss. I want to talk about him here because he's had a really solid season, but you felt him not being on the field against the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football. He's the other outside corner opposite Patrick Certan, and Cleveland went after Levi Wallace in that game. It looks like if Riley Moss can't play, Chris Abrams drained the rookie from the Zoo is going to play on the outside that's a spot though that if Riley Moss ultimately does not play, whoever you got lined up against that other cornerback to me, that's a matchup the Colts are going to try to exploit right from the start of this game.

There are only two guys on the Broncos injury report, safety Brandon Jones, but then cornerback Rilly Moss. I want to talk about him here because he's had a really solid season, but you felt him not being on the field against the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football. He's the other outside corner opposite Patrick Certan, and Cleveland went after Levi Wallace in that game. It looks like if Riley Moss can't play, Chris Abrams drained the rookie from the Zoo is going to play on the outside that's a spot though that if Riley Moss ultimately does not play, whoever you got lined up against that other cornerback to me, that's a matchup the Colts are going to try to exploit right from the start of this game.

Yeah, that's one thing that when you dive into the numbers, you look at the Broncos overall, and they've been a really really good defense, really good, but then you look at what happened against a three and ten Browns team that's kind of been in flux. I mean offensively, it's a you know, one week they look good, the next day don't, which is kind of the jamis Winston ef you're getting seen, But man, that was that was a complete explorer delivered me from pick six. I mean, what a quote, but I mean yeah, I mean he throws for almost five hundred yards and you have a couple of pick sixes and you lose a game. But it is wild because you kind of, I don't know necessarily if you can, you know, follow that same game plan because you know, the Broncos know what happened as well, But I think it might give you an idea on ways to attack a defense that throughout the entire season had been a really good one. So that is what I take the most from that that last outing against the against the Browns was it's given you an area where you can attack, and especially if Roddy Moss can't go. I mean, Levi Wallace has been a pretty good corner in this league for a long time. But clearly you know that that you know, Age sometimes is undefeated, and that's maybe we're getting close to that spot where you know he maybe has lost a step here or there. I don't know much about Chris Abrams Drain. I remember his name being mentioned in the draft par he.

Yeah, that's one thing that when you dive into the numbers, you look at the Broncos overall, and they've been a really really good defense, really good, but then you look at what happened against a three and ten Browns team that's kind of been in flux. I mean offensively, it's a you know, one week they look good, the next day don't, which is kind of the jamis Winston ef you're getting seen, But man, that was that was a complete explorer delivered me from pick six. I mean, what a quote, but I mean yeah, I mean he throws for almost five hundred yards and you have a couple of pick sixes and you lose a game. But it is wild because you kind of, I don't know necessarily if you can, you know, follow that same game plan because you know, the Broncos know what happened as well, But I think it might give you an idea on ways to attack a defense that throughout the entire season had been a really good one. So that is what I take the most from that that last outing against the against the Browns was it's given you an area where you can attack, and especially if Roddy Moss can't go. I mean, Levi Wallace has been a pretty good corner in this league for a long time. But clearly you know that that you know, Age sometimes is undefeated, and that's maybe we're getting close to that spot where you know he maybe has lost a step here or there. I don't know much about Chris Abrams Drain. I remember his name being mentioned in the draft par he.

Was kind of the second guy to Ennis Reichstraw, who was a second round pick the Lions. You know, but a guy who is a good player but is untested, you know, like a guy who you're gonna try to if if he's out there on the field, he's the guy you're gonna go at. You're not going at Patrick's ertel in this game. All right. One last thing here case that I'm curious about, is like, what is the blueprint for beating the Broncos, because lately the last two losses Denver has had were to Kansas City, where you just get Patrick Mahomes devil magic to win that game, and then you get blown out by the Ravens on the road where Lamar Jackson Derrek Henry kind of you know, powered that. So you have two of the best players of their position in the NFL. The one I'm looking at here is in Week six, the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Broncos twenty three to sixteen, and it you know, you look at it, and okay, Justin Herbert was twenty one to thirty four for two thirty seven. Yeah, he was Okay. The ground, they averaged three point four yards per carry, but La ran it thirty eight times. Yeah, in this game, JK Dobbins in ninety six yards on twenty five carries, and they just said, we're gonna run it at you, and that's what we're gonna do. I wonder if this is going to be kind of a similar type game plan for the Colts offense. Hey, we're just we're gonna run it, and we're gonna run it, and we're gonna run it. Now, the Colts defense has not been as good as the Chargers defense this year, so you might have a bit of a different game script. But I think looking at this, LA did get a little bit of success running the football in this game. Can that be something the Colts go back and look at and say, Okay, let's try to pull some stuff from this game and apply it in Week fifteen.

Was kind of the second guy to Ennis Reichstraw, who was a second round pick the Lions. You know, but a guy who is a good player but is untested, you know, like a guy who you're gonna try to if if he's out there on the field, he's the guy you're gonna go at. You're not going at Patrick's ertel in this game. All right. One last thing here case that I'm curious about, is like, what is the blueprint for beating the Broncos, because lately the last two losses Denver has had were to Kansas City, where you just get Patrick Mahomes devil magic to win that game, and then you get blown out by the Ravens on the road where Lamar Jackson Derrek Henry kind of you know, powered that. So you have two of the best players of their position in the NFL. The one I'm looking at here is in Week six, the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Broncos twenty three to sixteen, and it you know, you look at it, and okay, Justin Herbert was twenty one to thirty four for two thirty seven. Yeah, he was Okay. The ground, they averaged three point four yards per carry, but La ran it thirty eight times. Yeah, in this game, JK Dobbins in ninety six yards on twenty five carries, and they just said, we're gonna run it at you, and that's what we're gonna do. I wonder if this is going to be kind of a similar type game plan for the Colts offense. Hey, we're just we're gonna run it, and we're gonna run it, and we're gonna run it. Now, the Colts defense has not been as good as the Chargers defense this year, so you might have a bit of a different game script. But I think looking at this, LA did get a little bit of success running the football in this game. Can that be something the Colts go back and look at and say, Okay, let's try to pull some stuff from this game and apply it in Week fifteen.

That's kind of what I think. There's there's a part of me that we've all been waiting for that dynamic backfield of Taylor and Richardson, and I mean, you know, by all accounts last the last time out the Colts, you know, maybe their yards per carry wasn't where it should have been, but they definitely utilized the run a lot more in that game against the Patriots. So I'm assuming you're gonna see more of that. I think Josh Downs adds a different pack to the offense, allowing you to do a little bit more of both of those. But I would agree with you, I think the running game, Yes, this Denver's rush defense has been very, very stingy, and they're they're they're pretty good. But I do think that's an area this Colts team's gonna have to highlight because ultimately, you know, we could talk about this guy, that guy, Jonathan Taylor is one of your best players on this football team. Yep, he's in. These are big moments. You want your best players playing their best in these big moments. So I think Jonathan Taylor offensively is gonna have to be a guy that helps guide you to a victory.

That's kind of what I think. There's there's a part of me that we've all been waiting for that dynamic backfield of Taylor and Richardson, and I mean, you know, by all accounts last the last time out the Colts, you know, maybe their yards per carry wasn't where it should have been, but they definitely utilized the run a lot more in that game against the Patriots. So I'm assuming you're gonna see more of that. I think Josh Downs adds a different pack to the offense, allowing you to do a little bit more of both of those. But I would agree with you, I think the running game, Yes, this Denver's rush defense has been very, very stingy, and they're they're they're pretty good. But I do think that's an area this Colts team's gonna have to highlight because ultimately, you know, we could talk about this guy, that guy, Jonathan Taylor is one of your best players on this football team. Yep, he's in. These are big moments. You want your best players playing their best in these big moments. So I think Jonathan Taylor offensively is gonna have to be a guy that helps guide you to a victory.

Absolutely great points to their case. There you go, all right, that's gonna do it for us here on this episode of the two minut Drill Podcast presented by Nerd Wallet. We'll be back next week before the Colts face the Tennessee Titans. Thanks for listening. I'll be back with Bill Brooks late Sunday night early Monday morning for a breakdown of the Colts and Broncos on instant reaction for my man, Casey Valley, Amjjes Tankobitz. Thanks for listening to this episode of the two minut Drill Podcast presented by Nerd Wallett. Talk to you next week. So long,

Absolutely great points to their case. There you go, all right, that's gonna do it for us here on this episode of the two minut Drill Podcast presented by Nerd Wallet. We'll be back next week before the Colts face the Tennessee Titans. Thanks for listening. I'll be back with Bill Brooks late Sunday night early Monday morning for a breakdown of the Colts and Broncos on instant reaction for my man, Casey Valley, Amjjes Tankobitz. Thanks for listening to this episode of the two minut Drill Podcast presented by Nerd Wallett. Talk to you next week. So long,