Indianapolis Colts: Lots of Fixes Needed After Loss to Texans to Beat the Browns

It's been a rough few days to be a Colts fan. Peyton Manning's injury is proving to be a real pain in the neck for this team.

But the Colts' 34-7 embarrassment on Sunday can't be pinned solely on Kerry Collins' job at QB in Manning's place. All three squads bear some responsibility for the debacle against the Houston Texans. This article will take a look at what each phase (offense, defense and special teams) need to do better this coming Sunday in the Colts' home opener against the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns are not a good football team. I've racked my brain and finally came up with one guy who I know is a receiver for them: Mohammed Massaquoi. He's not a true No. 1 and their other guys are unremarkable. The Browns' defense is similarly undistinguished, and this game certainly seems eminently winnable for the Colts.

The Colts desperately need to win this game, if only to give fans hope that their season isn't shot with Manning on the sidelines.

1. The offensive line needs to block better and Collins needs to hang on to the football

The two fumbles that led to short fields for Houston in the first quarter were absolute killers for the Colts on Sunday. The botched snap from Jeff Saturday at center to Collins was deplorable. Collins was never able to really get comfortable in the pocket because his protection broke down so quickly.

I'm not sure why Dallas Clark was left out there on an island trying to block stud linebacker Mario Williams by himself. The Colts can't put themselves in that position again this week against the Browns. They need to have either Brody Eldridge in there as a blocking tight end or give Clark more help out there from a fullback or lineman.

New left guard Joe Reitz looked shaky, with a facemask penalty and at least three missed or bad blocks. Jeff Linkenbach was not stellar at right tackle, either. The other guys were only adequate, although they did perform much better in the second half. The offensive line will need to step up this week to give the statuesque Collins more time to sling the football.

The running game was a small bright spot, with both Delone Carter and Joseph Addai running well (when they got the chance to run). I still think the Colts should have cut ties with Donald Brown, but I am happy to see him relegated to third string in favor of the hard-running Carter.

The receivers and tight ends played well throughout the contest, but it was clear that the passing game suffers without Manning's superior understanding of the offense. Reggie Wayne was an absolute beast, with 106 yards receiving and the lone Colts touchdown.

I anticipate that the Colts will have more success on offense this week against the Browns now that they have a week of game-time experience under their belts. 

2. The defense was wretched against the run and they need to get better QB pressure

The Colts were softer on defense than a Palisade peach's fuzz (Quick side-note: Palisade peaches are from the western slope in Colorado and are supple, juicy and delicious. If you are ever in the Centennial State in late July or August, you really need to check them out).

The defensive tackles were non-factors all game against the Texans and the linebackers were pushed out of position by blockers. The Colts' professed speed and "flying aroundedness" [my term] were neutralized by a Texans offensive line that just punished the front part of the Colts D.

The pass defense was not reprehensible, with the Colts getting two interceptions off of Matt Schaub passes. Oft-maligned cornerback Jacob Lacey also forced a fumble which set up the Colts' only touchdown.

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis need to hound young Browns QB Colt McCoy on Sunday. The Browns offensive line is poor as a unit. The Colts need to expose this weakness and pressure McCoy early and often. 

With linebackers Ernie Sims, Kavell Conner and Gary Brackett all somewhat banged up, it will be interesting to see what rotation emerges against the Browns this Sunday. Whoever ends up in there need to be better at fighting through blocks to get to running backs. Peyton Hillis is a strong, punishing back who can do some damage against the Colts if they let him get free.

3. Special teams were just lousy and coverage on kicks needs to improve

It is a veritable house of horrors to recount the many special teams errors in the game against Houston. The normally-reliable Adam Vinatieri pulled a 37 yard field goal attempt wide right. The Colts kick coverage let Jacoby Jones run wild for great field position on most kicks and a 79 yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

The coaching staff needs to work with the special teams coverage units to make sure that they are hustling to get down field. They need to work on containment, as well. The Colts' special teams has often been a weak spot over the years, but it seemed totally JV this past Sunday. With the dynamic and always-dangerous Josh Cribbs returning punts for the Browns, the Colts will need to be much better this weekend. They don't have as much margin for error from special teams now that Manning isn't around to bail the team out.

There were a few glimmers of hope from the Colts at the end of the mostly depressing game this past Sunday. They stiffened up on defense and didn't give up on offense. The team played with heart even though the game was well out of reach.

Although they'll enter this game without Manning yet again, they still have enough high-caliber players to beat up on the dregs of the NFL. I predict an easy Colts victory in this one.