Bengals vs. Colts: Breaking Down Indianapolis' Game Plan

The Indianapolis Colts have officially come back from an 0-2 start to set themselves up as an AFC contender, winning four straight.

The last two weeks have included wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, both wild-card contenders. Though both wins were by just one score in the end, the Colts looked like the clear better team throughout both games. 

Andrew Luck has led the way, establishing himself as the premier young quarterback of the league and pushing himself into the MVP conversation. But he, and the Colts, still need to prove themselves against the AFC's best competition, and the Cincinnati Bengals are an excellent example. 

A well-rounded team with few weaknesses, the Bengals provide another chance for Indianapolis to take another step toward the No. 2 seed in the AFC, which should be up for grabs among the New England Patriots (who decimated the Bengals two weeks ago), Cincinnati and the Colts. 

In the Colts' biggest game since facing the Denver Broncos in Week 1, what will be the keys to getting a much-needed AFC win? 

Offense: Utilize Andrew Luck's Legs to Take Advantage of Matchups

The Bengals have had a talented defensive roster for years, but in recent weeks, the Bengals have allowed big performances from opposing quarterbacks. Two weeks ago, the seemingly questionable Tom Brady threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns, while being sacked just one time. Last week, Cam Newton threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns (one interception), while adding 107 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Newton was not sacked in the contest. 

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The thing about Andrew Luck is that he combines the best of both of those quarterbacks. He can find his desired targets at the line of scrimmage and go on to shred a secondary, as we've seen in recent weeks. But he can also attack a defense on the ground if they leave him running lanes open. 

Against the Bengals, Luck should be able to find an open receiver or space to move on just about every play. The Bengals have struggled to rush the passer in recent weeks, even against the broken down offensive lines from New England and Carolina. If Luck has time to survey the field, he should be up for a big game. 

When the Bengals play man coverage, it will open up space for Luck in the middle of the field to scramble, especially if the interior of his line isn't collapsing. Cam Newton was able to escape the pocket on scrambles a few times in such situations last week, and Luck has an even more devastating group of weapons for defenses to worry about. 

Offense: Attack a Weak Middle with Versatile Running Backs

The second point for the offense isn't all that different from the first, in reality. It all hinges on attacking the Bengals with versatility once again. 

Even if healthy, the Bengals' linebackers have struggled this year, racking up a combined grade of -15.6 from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The biggest weakness has been pass coverage, where even Vontaze Burfict has struggles at times. 

This bodes well for the Colts' running backs, who have been lethal through the air thus far this season. Even Trent Richardson, who has once again been one of the league's least-efficient running backs in the league, has been efficient through the air, currently 10th among running backs in Football Outsiders' receiving DVOA. 

But it's Bradshaw who is the lynchpin. Not only is Bradshaw leading the league in receiving DVOA, but he's in the top 20 in both rushing DVOA and success rate. The Colts' running game is unlikely to approach the league leaders, but Bradshaw can bust off big plays at a more-than-acceptable rate. 

The Bengals are 32nd in the league in rush DVOA allowed, and while the Colts' run game has been inconsistent, this is one week where Bradshaw and Richardson could rack up yards on the ground. 

But the Colts' lifeblood is the passing game. Fortunately, both running backs could contribute there as well.

NFL Game Rewind

We've seen the Colts take advantage of linebackers in man coverage, especially in the red zone. If Bradshaw has an inside linebacker lined up over the top of him, the Colts like to send him to the flat, trusting him to beat the linebacker to the edge.

NFL Game Rewind

If the linebacker is cheating toward the outside a bit, or the defenders are in a zone, Bradshaw has taken angle routes in for scores. 

Defense: Key in on Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill

The Colts secondary has had a strong start to the season, and with A.J. Green possibly missing and Marvin Jones definitely out for this game, it shouldn't be too difficult for Vontae Davis and Greg Toler to key in on Mohammed Sanu. 

While Jermaine Gresham is an athletic tight end that could give the Colts trouble, it's really the two-headed monster in the backfield that the Colts have to worry about. Back is big-play threat Giovani Bernard, now with a strong, powerful rookie Jeremy Hill replacing BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Bernard had 148 yards from scrimmage against the Colts last season. 

Bernard is especially dangerous in the open field, and he could give the Colts a lot of trouble in the flats and coming back across the middle of the field. 

NFL Game Rewind

Take this play, for example. The Panthers blitz, and Bernard takes a delayed release out of the backfield. Even with the blitz getting to Dalton fairly quick, he's able to find Bernard with acres of open field around him. Both linebackers have dropped 10 yards upfield, and no defender is within seven yards of Bernard. 

Once he makes the catch, he just has to turn and pick which direction he wants to go and it's an easy first down. 

The Colts have to have a man spying Bernard out of the backfield at all times. When Hill is in, they have to be ready for the run but don't discount the play action either. Hill has actually been in for 11 more pass plays than he has running plays.

Defense: Pressure Andy Dalton

In recent matchups, the Colts have struggled mightily against Dalton, a bit surprising given his inconsistent play throughout his career. 

But a quick look at that game reveals why Dalton found it so easy: The Colts pressured Dalton just twice in the combined two games, a hit and a hurry both coming in the Bengals' 27-17 win in 2011. 

Last season, the Colts never pressured Dalton, and they paid dearly for it, allowing Dalton to throw for 275 yards and three touchdowns on 24-of-35 passing, a 120.5 passer rating. 

Pressure	Dropbacks	Comp. %	Yards	TDs	INT	Rating
No Pressure	130	72%	1029	4	1	103.7
Under Pressure	30	51.9%	232	2	2	74.9

With possibly no A.J. Green to bail Dalton out, the Colts should have the faith in their secondary to blitz, provided they account for those pesky running backs. Dalton has been the quickest passer in the league this season, getting the ball out 2.26 seconds after the snap, on average.

The Colts have to be wary of opening up too much space for yards after the catch on those quick screens and slants but also need to make Dalton uncomfortable by getting into his throwing lanes and forcing him to second-guess his hot reads. Expect to see effective A-gap blitzes against an interior offensive line that has been vulnerable with right guard Kevin Zeitler sidelined with a calf injury.