Ward’s receivers caught just 70.6 percent of their catchable targets in Week 1, the lowest rate in the NFL, which speaks to Josh’s question here. If that number is closer to 100 percent – where the Colts were in Week 1, by the way, with three other teams – maybe Tennessee has the juice to pull off an upset on the road. Give credit to Denver’s defense, though, since not all of all of those incompletions were due to drops, and there’s also a cumulative effect from how hard it is to play against the Broncos.
Let’s flip this around to look at the Broncos’ offense against the Colts’ defense, though, since I spent this week’s game preview looking at the Colts’ offense vs. Broncos’ defense matchup. Specifically, the Colts will need to lean on some depth as Week 2 gets here.
The Colts will be without cornerbacks Jaylon Jones (hamstring) and Charvarius Ward Sr. (concussion) on Sunday, meaning you’ll see Mekhi Blackmon and Johnathan Edwards as the next men up at cornerback opposite Kenny Moore II and Xavien Howard. Denver has a varied group of pass-catchers, highlighted by a physical threat in Courtland Sutton and a downfield burner in Marvin Mims Jr. Holding up in the secondary will be key; additionally, we’ll see what the status of defensive end Laiatu Latu is come Sunday.
Latu, who recorded his first career interception in Week 1, did not participate in practice Thursday or Friday with a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable.
So we’ll see if the Colts will be down one starter (Ward) or two starters (Ward, Latu) plus a key depth piece (Jones).
Denver’s offense, meanwhile, had some issues with the Titans in Week 1. Quarterback Bo Nix threw two interceptions and averaged just 4.4 yards per attempt on 40 pass attempts, while running back R.J. Harvey ripped off a 50-yard run but Denver averaged under four yards per attempt outside of that explosive rush. Still, I wouldn’t read too much into Denver’s offensive struggles – their head coach is Sean Payton, one of the best offensive minds in the NFL (and NFL history), and it’s fair to assume he’ll figure out some answers for Nix and the Broncos’ offense going forward.