Sunday’s Week 8 matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans will feature one of the game’s best offensive line units and one of the NFL’s best pass rushes in a heavy-weight matchup.
As a collective unit, the Colts’ pass offensive line ranks second in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric. Out of 38 eligible quarterbacks, the combination of Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco have been under pressure on 27.8 percent of their collective dropbacks, which ranks 36th in football–or is the third-lowest rate.
On the flip side, the Texans’ defensive front ranks fourth in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric. In terms of pressure rate, Houston ranks 10th and are fourth in sacks.
Leading the way for the Houston pass rush are their edge rushers Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. Individually, both rank in the top 10 among their position group in pressures this season.
In the season opening matchup between these two teams, the Colts’ offensive line fared well, with Richardson under pressure on only 25 percent of his dropbacks. Hunter and Anderson would combine for just three pressures.
Where the Houston front did make things more challenging for the Colts was against the run, holding Jonathan Taylor to just 3.0 yards per attempt.
On the year, Houston is allowing 4.5 yards per rush attempt, which ranks 15th and the Colts are averaging 4.5 yards per rush. The run game has sputtered as of late for Indianapolis, but getting Richardson back last week provided a boost as would be the case if Taylor is back in the mix this week as well. He was a full participant at Thursday’s practice.
Without a run game to lean on, it puts the offense in predictable passing situations and makes moving the ball through the air all the more difficult with the defense having the upper hand in those situations.
Success for the Colts in this matchup will, as it often does, being in the trenches. As just mentioned, getting the run game going will help, but on those passing plays, providing Richardson with time so he can throw in rhythm and within the structure of the play call will be a must.