Colts Matchups to Watch Revisited: Wild Card Round @Bills

Colts’ Edge Rushers vs. Bills’ tackles

This was one of the main problems in the game. The Colts’ edge rushers have not been good during the latter part of the season, maybe because of their age and because Turay was coming off a big injury. Saturday, they were extremely ineffective at getting pressure on Josh Allen. Al-Quadin Muhammad had a couple of nice plays, but Houston was a ghost throughout the game and while Autry got 1.5 sacks, they were not because of an individual win but because of scheme and pressure from the inside. Turay had the dumbest penalty I have ever seen from a Colts’ player, as it cost the team 4 points and ultimately the win. Edge rusher will be a big position of need this off-season

Xavier Rhodes vs. Stefon Diggs

Rhodes was matched up with Diggs a lot throughout the game, and he actually did pretty well. I would love the Colts to re-sign Rhodes, given his price tag does not get excessively high. Diggs’ long touchdown actually came against T.J. Carrie, where Allen froze Blackmon and the talented wide receiver managed to get past T.J. for a wide-open grab in the end-zone.

Jonathan Taylor vs. Tremaine Edmunds/Ed Oliver

The Bills have a very well-coached defense, and it showed against the Colts. Even though Taylor did not have the dominant game we have grown accustomed to seeing of him, he was really good, making Bills’ defenders miss and plowing through contact for extra yards. The future looks bright for the rookie.

Kenny Moore vs. Cole Beasley/Isaiah McKenzie

In the end, Beasley was healthy enough to play, as he led the Bills with 7 receptions. He was not nearly as influential as Diggs’ or rookie receiver Gabriel Davis was. Kenny Moore did a solid job both containing Bills’ slot receivers and making plays in the run game.

Rodrigo Blankenship vs. Kicking in tough conditions

Off-season kicking battle once again incoming, after Blankenship missed a 33-yarder off the right post. A very disappointing end to what was a promising rookie season for Hot Rod, but Indy will need to find a kicker that can make a field goal from more than 50-yards and that can actually be relied upon in the clutch.