Colts vs. Browns: Breaking Down Cleveland's Game Plan

One loss can change the trajectory of a season. The Cleveland Browns looked like a team destined for the playoffs, and then they lost to the Buffalo Bills. Now, at 7-5 and with their playoff chances dwindling, the Browns were forced to choose between quarterbacks and welcome the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts to town. The game plan moving forward is just to survive.

The Browns did choose their quarterback, at least for this week, in Brian Hoyer. The veterans on the team threw their support behind Hoyer so now he will be the guy trying to keep the Browns afloat.

“To know that your teammates stand up on the table for you and respect you, that means the world to me,” Hoyer told the media on Wednesday.

The more specific game plan for Sunday against the Colts will be to keep the ball out of quarterback Andrew Luck’s hands. With a plethora of injuries on defense, it is hard to imagine that the Browns will be able to slow down the top passer in the NFL.

When you are facing the league's highest-scoring offense, it behooves you to make sure it touches the ball as little as possible. The Browns will once again be without safety Tashaun Gipson, and no one knows if linebacker Karlos Dansby will be available this week.

The best defense the Browns can run is draining clock and moving the ball on the ground. This is something the Browns used to be good at. It hasn’t been that way in a while. And despite the fact the Colts allow quite a few yards through the air per game, their rushing defense isn’t too shabby.

It won’t be easy.

Offensively there has been turmoil because of Hoyer’s recent play that culminated in his benching in the fourth quarter of last week’s game. Johnny Manziel stepped in valiantly but still did not get the starting job. One would be naive to think Hoyer won’t have a short leash against the Colts on Sunday.

If he cannot right the ship then fans could be watching Manziel behind center for the second straight week. Whoever finishes the game at quarterback better have the Browns on the winning side of the scoreboard. If not, the Browns' playoff dreams will likely be dashed, and the preparations for next year will begin.

Let’s take a look at each position group that will try and keep the Browns alive and see who has the edge.

The Competitive Edge

Quarterback

One quarterback was benched for his backup last week, and the other leads the NFL in passing yards and is perhaps the best young gunslinger in the game. This is a decided advantage to the Colts. Andrew Luck was a surefire star entering the NFL, and he has lived up to that billing. This year’s playoffs could really be his coming-out party.

Edge: Indianapolis

Running Back

This is one of the more intriguing storylines on Sunday. Trent Richardson was drafted third overall by the Browns just two years ago but has never been able to find success at this level.

Richardson has never averaged more than 3.6 yards per carry. This year he has a meager 445 yards and is averaging just 3.3 yards per attempt. Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell struggled last week but have the raw talent to get the Browns back on track Sunday.

Edge: Cleveland

Receivers

The Colts have one of the most electrifying receiving talents in the game with T.Y. Hilton. He has 1,145 yards and five touchdowns. Josh Gordon is a supreme talent but is anyone going to be able to get him the ball consistently? The rest of the Colts' receiving corps are as strong as you will find in the NFL.

Edge: Indianapolis

Tight End

Even with Dwayne Allen out for over a month the Colts still had great production for the tight end position. Coby Fleener is one of the better pass catchers for not being a supremely talented guy. Unfortunately for the Browns, Allen is set to return, and the Browns will really be tested in covering them. This is a bad matchup.

Edge: Indianapolis

Offensive Line

Despite having a running back who is average at best the Colts still average 110 rushing yards per game. They have also only allowed Luck to be sacked 21 times this season. The Browns, on the other hand, are still trying to find some form of a running game after losing center Alex Mack for the year.

Edge: Indianapolis

Defensive Line

The Colts are big, strong and physical up front. It has allowed them to hold opponents to just 107.8 yards per game. They are also tied for fifth in the NFL in sacks with 34. They are able to push around offensive lines pretty easily, so the Browns will need to keep Hoyer on the move and try to keep the Colts off balance.

Edge: Indianapolis

Linebackers

The Browns are beat-up at the linebacker position, but there is a possibility of getting Dansby back this week. D’Qwell Jackson is having another solid year and will probably be fired up to show the team that let him walk he has some gas left in the tank. As I said earlier, the Browns linebackers will really be tested when covering the tight ends from Indianapolis.

Edge: Push

Defensive Backs

At some point the Browns may get back safety Tashaun Gipson, but that would only likely happen if they make the playoffs. In his place, Jim Leonhard and Jordan Poyer have tried to handle his duties but will be pushed to their limits by Luck and the speed of the Colts receivers. On the positive side, cornerback Joe Haden is playing like the best corner in the NFL right now.

Edge: Cleveland

Special Teams

The Browns tried out two kickers this week because veteran Billy Cundiff has a serious case of the jips. They also have one of the worst return averages in the NFL on punts. On the other side of the ball, the Colts have one of the best kickers in NFL history and former Browns returner Josh Cribbs who will be looking for blood against the team that cast him away.

Edge: Indianapolis

Browns Offense vs. Colts Defense

The Colts are known for their offense, but their defense is pretty stout as well. They are allowing 23.6 points per game, but that number is inflated because they have given up garbage-time touchdowns when blowing out opponents this season.

Their rushing defense is ranked 13th, so it is no easy task to move the ball on the ground against it. Where they are vulnerable, however, is through the air. They are ranked 25th in the NFL in stopping the pass.

The real question is can Hoyer take advantage of that weakness. In his last two games, Hoyer has thrown five interceptions to zero touchdowns. That is a not a good ratio.

If the Browns can establish the run and drain clock, then they will be able to effectively use the play-action pass. It will also keep Luck and the Colts offense off the field. That is the Browns' only shot at surviving this game on Sunday.

Browns Defense vs. Colts Offense

The Browns' starting free safety is out, the leader in the linebackers group is probably out and their 29th-ranked rushing defense will have to face a motivated Trent Richardson. That smells like an impending disaster.

Luck could put up some scary numbers on Sunday, and if he does the Browns have almost no shot at winning the game. Luck does throw a decent number of interceptions—he has 11 this year—so the Browns will need to take advantage of those opportunities if they present themselves.

Haden is playing at a very high level, but if he has a weakness, it is covering smaller, shiftier receivers. He will be facing arguably the best of that crop in T.Y. Hilton on Sunday. If he has any issues with Hilton, then things could get very ugly.

It is tough to envision Richardson running wild on the Browns, but it certainly could happen. You never want to be facing a group of players who all have something to prove against your franchise. That is the position the Browns find themselves in this week. Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan posed "the Browns' nightmare" scenario:

"

Sunday #Browns nightmare: T Richardson runs for 120 & a TD, Josh Cribbs houses a punt for a score & D'Qwell Jackson multi sack/big play game

— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) December 3, 2014"

What They’re Saying

“If I had the opportunity to score I would jump in the Dawg Pound to honor those guys who helped create me.”

—Colts kick returner Josh Cribbs on what he will do if he scores Sunday

“Hopefully, it was tough on them. Obviously, (Pettine) is a head coach. He’s able to handle situations like that so hopefully I did make it hard on him.”

—Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel on if he felt like he made Pettine’s decision difficult

Browns’ Wednesday Injury Report

Did Not Practice: Safety Tashaun Gipson (knee); tight end Gary Barnidge (ribs); running back Isaiah Crowell (hip); linebacker Jabaal Sheard (foot); lineman Joe Thomas (rest)

Limited: Tight end Jordan Cameron (head); linebacker Karlos Dansby (knee); wide receiver Marlon Moore (hamstring)

Full: Linebacker Barkevious Mingo (shoulder) and offensive lineman Nick McDonald (rest)

This Week’s Game Stats and Facts

The Browns are 4-2 at home, tied for the second-most wins in a season since FirstEnergy Stadium opened in 1999.

Cleveland is tied for fifth in the NFL with 22 takeaways this season.

Since 2013, Haden is second in the NFL with 34 passed defensed and DB Buster.

Skrine is third with 31. This season, Haden and Skrine are tied for the team lead and are tied for third in the NFL with 14 pass break-ups.

Isaiah Crowell is leading all NFL rookies and is tied for fourth in the NFL with seven rushing touchdowns.

All quotes and observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Game stats and facts are courtesy of the Browns’ communications department.