By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on the Indianapolis Colts for a Week 7 clash of teams clinging to playoff life support. There are various similarities between the two teams. Both teams currently reside in the cellar of their respective divisions, as the Colts (1-5) are holding down last place in the AFC South. Buffalo and Indianapolis are two games behind their respective divisional leaders.
It’s too early to say that this is a must-win game for these teams. For all intents and purposes, the loser of the matchup may lose their chance at having a shot at a division title, let alone a post-season berth.
There are various noteworthy items to know about Buffalo’s Week 7 opponent. Here are eight things to know about the Colts:
Andrew Luck’s health
Andrew Luck has returned with little ill effects from a shoulder injury which cost him the 2017 season. Currently the former Stanford product leads the NFL in completions (186) and attempts (288) through the first six weeks of the season. In fact, these figures are the most of any quarterback in NFL history through the first six weeks of an NFL season, according to the Indianapolis Colts’ web site.
Luck already has thrown 16 touchdown passes, good for second in the league. He is also on pace for setting a career-high in average yards per game, throwing for an average of 298.7 yards per game. However, the three-time Pro Bowl nominee also leads the league with eight interceptions thrown.
T.Y. Hilton’s injury
The Colts’ top-receiving option out wide, T.Y. Hilton, has missed the previous two games with chest and hamstring ailments. On the season, the seventh-year pro caught 21 passes for 294 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In three previous games against the Bills, Hilton has averaged four receptions and 47 yards per game. When Luck and Hilton last played a full season together in 2016, the wideout led the team in receiving yards (1,448 yards).
Hilton’s status is currently unknown for the Week 7 matchup.
Other receivers step up
Several players have left the void left by Hilton. Out wide, Zach Pascal, Ryan Grant, and Chester Rogers have combined for 68 receptions and 649 receiving yards. Each player also has one touchdown reception on the season.
Rookie Nyheim Hines, a fourth-round pick out of N.C. State, leads the team in receptions with 31. Hines has been a matchup problem against opposing linebackers.
Furthermore, Eric Ebron has been a matchup nightmare for opposing linebackers and strong safeties. The tight end leads the NFL with six touchdown receptions, which is also a career-high for the fifth-year pro.
Safety Mike Mitchell
Mitchell was rated as the top safety during Week 6 action, earning a grade of 84.8 via Pro Football Focus. It’s a remarkable feat, as the 10-year pro signed with Indianapolis only six days prior to the team’s matchup against the New York Jets. Mitchell allowed only two receptions to be completed his direction, which receivers progressed only six yards combined with the catches.
Hey, I know you
Former Bills quarterback Frank Reich is at the helm of the Indianapolis Colts. The first-year head coach has worked at keeping the team close in games. The Colts have been error-prone, and Reich is working to fix this issue. It’s quite a change for the former quarterback who led the Super Bowl 52 offense last year for the Philadelphia Eagles as their offensive coordinator.
Buffalo fans fondly remember Reich as the quarterback who led the Bills on an improbable comeback against the Houston Oilers in the 1993 Wild Card game, one in which the Bills erased a 32-point deficit to advance in the playoffs.
Run game woes
Indianapolis is 29th in the NFL in rushing yards (499). This is a product of the team trailing most of the season, thus shifting the focus to the passing attack. However, the Colts lack a true number one rusher. Jordan Wilkins, Marlon Mack, and Hines are a trio that has combined to rush for the seventh-fewest attempts in the league. Lacking a true No. 1 has plauged the Colts since Edgerrin James left. Buffalo should expect this trend to continue, as Indianapolis will employ some combination of this crew Sunday.
Still going strong
The ageless Adam Vinatieri is only 10 points away from tying Morten Anderson’s record of most total points scored in the NFL. The kicker, who is in his 23rd season in the NFL, has been named a first-team All-Pro three times in his career. In addition, he is the holder of four Super Bowl rings, each won during his 10-year stint with the New England Patriots. The future Hall of Famer could set the record this week.
Last four losses by one score
The Colts may be in the position to earn the top spot in the 2019 draft, but they are not getting blown out in games this seasons. Each of Indianapolis’ last four losses has come fewer than one score. Even though the Colts have lost four more games that they have won this year, the team is only minus-28 in total points.