For the fourth year running, the Indianapolis Colts avoided falling to a 0-3 hole. The Colts finally chalked up their first win of the season with a gripping 31-28 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. It was a morale-boosting win for the Colts who stretched their unbeaten run against the Browns to three games. The Colts will look to sustain the momentum of that huge victory when they travel to Seattle for their much-anticipated Sunday Night Football clash against the Seahawks.
Expected to lead the Colts in that critical matchup is quarterback Jacoby Brissett. He looked much more comfortable in his second start for Indianapolis, completing 17 of 24 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown. The 23-year-old also ran five times for 14 yards Sunday, becoming the first Colts QB to have two rushing touchdowns in a game since Andrew Luck did it twice during his rookie season in 2012.
Also expected to contribute this weekend is the ever-improving T.Y. Hilton. He benefited from Brissett’s outstanding play against Cleveland, catching seven passes for 153 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown reception. The 153 yards he managed on Sunday pushed Hilton’s career total to 6,210 and past Lenny Moore (6,039) into fourth place in franchise history. Hilton looks to be adjusting well to life without Luck and the Colts hope that he can keep it going against a Seattle defense that’s allowing just 211.7 receiving yards per game this season.
The Seattle Seahawks were sent crashing back to earth on Sunday with a deflating 33-27 loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Seahawks had an excellent chance to record their second straight victory, but several missed opportunities in the second half denied them a 2-1 slate. The Seahawks simply had no answer for Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota who threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns.
For the Seahawks to return to winning ways against the Colts, they will need to improve on their play on the defensive end. Seattle’s defense fell apart in the third quarter against Tennessee on Sunday, allowing three long touchdowns to the Titans. The Seahawks’ ground defense, in particular, crumbled against Tennessee, allowing the Titans to romp for 195 yards rushing. That was the most allowed by the Seahawks since October 28, 2013, when it gave up 200 to the St. Louis Rams. The Seahawks will look to rectify that against an Indianapolis attack that rushed for 92 yards in its win against Cleveland.
It’s important for the Seahawks as well to limit their mistakes against the Colts. Seattle finished the game against Tennessee with 11 penalties for 98 yards, with a trio of penalties on separate plays in the first quarter. They can ill afford to repeat those same errors against a Colts side that’s starting to click with Jacoby Brissett in tow. The good news for the Seahawks heading into this matchup is that Russell Wilson’s back to his passing best after a lackluster start to the season. Russell Wilson threw for 373 yards and four touchdowns in a losing effort against the Titans.
