Colts WR and TE should have ‘best game of the season’ against Denver, says ESPN analyst

The 6-7 Indianapolis Colts will travel to Denver to face the 8-5 Broncos in a game where they will be multiple point underdogs.

Although there is still a month left in the regular season, the playoffs have begun for the Colts in what is essentially a must-win game if they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Anthony Richardson has provided a spark to the offense and the team as a whole since returning to the starting lineup, but looking ahead to the Colts this week, it’s a very stingy Broncos defense.

And if you ask ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, if the Colts want to win this game, their wide receivers and tight ends “have to have their best game of the season,” with Orlovsky adding that means “ZERO drops.”

Dropped passes have been a problem for Colts pass catchers all season long. According to PFF, before the bye week, Indianapolis ranked 20th in dropped passes this season with 19 on the year, and that includes seven in just the last three games with Richardson under center.

Hopefully the return of Josh Downs, who has been a go-to option through the air this season and has picked up plenty of first downs, will provide a boost to the passing game this week. After missing the game against New England, he practiced both days this week, which includes being a full participant on Thursday.

Meanwhile the Colts, as mentioned, a very good Broncos defense. Their front has been one of the best at putting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run. The secondary, meanwhile, ranks fourth in yards per dropped pass attempt and eighth in interceptions.

Any potential success for the Colts offense will always start with the running game, but some tough sledding could be expected that will place an additional burden on the passing game. And in those cases, if the ball is where it needs to be, the Colts pass catchers need to make the play.

Another part of the equation is that Indianapolis’ pass catchers win their routes in a timely manner and are located where Richardson expects them to be so the ball can get out on time and at the pace of the game.

In all three phases, the Colts need very clean play in this game, and as Orlovsky pointed out, on offense, that means no dropped passes and heavy contributions from receivers and tight ends.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts WR and TE must have ‘best game of the season’ against Denver, says ESPN analyst