One week after an embarrassing loss to the New York Gets, the Indianapolis Colts are looking to turn things around in week seven when they play the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium
The Colts enter week seven with a 2-3 record and aim to end the weekend at 3-3, have a .500 record and present their ill coach Chuck Pagano with a victory game ball to his hospital room.
The Browns come to Naptown with a 1-5 record, hot off their first win of the season against fellow Ohio rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland beat Cincinnati last Sunday 34-24 and they will enter Lucas Oil looking to take advantage of the down, but not out, Colts.
Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden completed 17 of 29 passes last weekend to rack up 231 total passing yards. Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck played his worst game to date in his rookie season last weekend and posted slightly better numbers than Weeden. Luck completed 22/44 passes and threw for 280 yards. Weeden is also in his rookie season as an NFL quarterback, though he has a few more years of professional sport experience than Luck. Weeden spent nine years playing for a slew of Major League Baseball teams before making the switch to the NFL and being a first round draft pick by the Browns.
Though the Browns offense gets a lot of attention thanks to Weeden, wide receiver Josh Gordon and running back Trent Richardson, the Browns defense is also gaining some notoriety. They’ve snuck up to become the best in the NFC North in part to QB sacks and a score of turnovers.
With Joe Haden at cornerback, Colts veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne may have a tough time receiving down the field. On the flip side, the Browns have given up an average of almost 300 yards per game and have allowed their opponents to score 15 touchdowns so far this season. This situation will definitely be something to keep an eye on come game time.
With Colt Donald Brown out of the game due to knee surgery, running back duo Delone Carter and Vick Ballard have stepped up and proven themselves to be key players, especially after last week’s game against the Jets.
Defensively, the Colts have shown that stopping the run is a problem area. Browns running back Richardson comes to Indy a little banged up after taking a helmet to the ribs last week against Cincinnati, but he is expected to play. Quarterback Weeden has only been completing 55 percent of his passes so far this season, which could come as a benefit for the Colts.
Knee and ankle or foot injuries have continuously plagued the Colts this season. Eleven players are listed on the Colts injury report, seven of which are key players in their respective areas. Some injuries have been minor while some have stricken players and have kept them from seeing a second of regular season playing time.
The Colts take on the Browns on Sunday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m.
