It is going to take a full team effort for Indianapolis to beat the Jaguars in Jacksonville, but you should keep your eye on these two match-ups the Colts need to dominate.
Braden Smith vs. Josh Allen
In Week 1 against the Houston Texans, Braden Smith allowed four total quarterback pressures. Jerry Hughes, former first-round draft pick by the Colts, gave Smith more than he could handle. Smith allowed one sack, and two hurries when matched-up against Hughes. The biggest play from Hughes came when he separated from Smith’s block with ease, during a side-arm pass from Matt Ryan. This separation allowed Hughes to intercept Ryan’s pass, while taking all of the game’s momentum with him.
Yes, Smith had a rough game, he and many other Colts need to step up coming into Week 2. The Colts right tackle has a tough math-up ahead of him. Edge defender Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars may has strengths where Smith has weaknesses.
Smith had problems with the speed and athleticism of Hughes. Well, Josh Allen is bigger, stronger, and faster. Allen is taller, weighs more, and has a faster official 40-yard dash time when compared to Hughes. The first overall selection in the 2022 draft, Travon Walker will likely flip flop spots with Allen on some plays. Walker will be another thorn in the side of Smith.
Parris Campbell vs. Shaquill Griffin
Many fans will look at the stat sheet and write off Parris Campbell yet again this season. It is a cliché, but the things he does don’t show up on the stat sheet. On multiple plays Campbell was the guy clearing out one, if not two of Houston’s safeties.
Matt Ryan may be forced to become comfortable throwing the ball to Campbell. Campbell will get more targets no matter if Michael Pittman Jr. plays on Sunday, or not. Campbell can take advantage of Shaquill Griffin’s “lazy Cover-2 defense”, a quote from Terry McLaurin, featured on Pat McAfee’s Big Brian Football segment.
While Campbell only had three receptions on four targets, per Pro Football Focus, he was on the field for 77% of the offensive snaps for the Colts.
And out of the 56 times Matt Ryan dropped back to pass, Campbell was on the field for 46 of them. That is second most amongst receivers, only trailing Pittman Jr. Campbell spent most of the other 42 snaps, when he wasn’t being targeted, creating space for his fellow receivers. Matt Ryan will need to hit Campbell early and often if MPJ misses time.
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