The Indianapolis Colts will be hosting the No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft in Joe Burrow, and they hope to make him uncomfortable in the pocket in Week 6.
Burrow has looked promising despite being a rookie without much of an offseason to work with. However, he has been sacked a league-high 22 times while the Bengals have allowed the second-highest sack rate (9.6%) in the NFL.
Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner spoke with the media about taking advantage of that matchup.
“Usually with the younger quarterbacks, pressure really gets to them obviously, especially coming to this league, so pressure and tight coverage really gets after them,” Buckner said Thursday. “You try to do that with any quarterback you play, but especially with the young ones. The pressure really gets to them. You’ve seen it over the course of the past couple games, we watch it on film. Obviously, pressure really gets to him. You just need to do a good job up front dominating rushing whether it’s with four or five with six, we just have to make sure we’re affecting him and getting him on the route.”
Despite being under pressure constantly, Burrow has flashed plenty of potential. He has completed 65.5% of his passes for 1,121 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
Even in spite of a poor offensive line, Burrow has shown he can make plays with his feet. Keeping him contained will be a priority for the front seven on Sunday.
“You just have that in the back of your conscience knowing where you’re at in your rush, how you fit compared to where everybody else is and owning your rush lane,” said Buckner. “It’s difficult because you want to win but sometimes you know you don’t – you’re too high in your rush or little things like that and it will affect everybody else. It’s something we’re constantly working on every week.”
The Colts pass rush has been mostly a bright spot through five games this season. There have been some spotty times, but the unit has shown to be a force when they are on.
Against a poor Bengals offensive line, it could be the key to dominating the game in Week 6.