The Buffalo Bills are set to face the Indianapolis Colts on the road in what should be an intriguing matchup. With the Colts sitting at 4-5 and still in contention for the AFC South title, the team is looking to rebound and stay competitive in the division. However, the Bills, who are also fighting for a top spot in the AFC East, will need to be careful not to underestimate the Colts, despite their record.
Indianapolis has shown resilience this season, with all of their games being decided by more than a touchdown. While their record suggests a team in the middle of the pack, the Colts play tough and to the final whistle, never allowing opponents to simply walk over them.
The Bills, however, may get a break as the Colts will be without center Ryan Kelly for at least the next four games, after he was placed on IR. Kelly’s absence will be a significant blow to the Colts’ offensive line, which could lead to difficulties in both the running and passing game, especially with veteran Joe Flacco now under center in place of second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Though the Colts may present a tough challenge, the Bills are expected to remain the favorites, provided they execute efficiently and avoid letting Indianapolis take them by surprise. The outcome could depend on how well the Colts can adjust their offensive line and whether Flacco can get the ball moving with the same precision he did in his prime.
Bills defensive line has an advantage with Ryan Kelly’s absence
You’re absolutely right—Ryan Kelly is a key player in the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line, and his absence is significant. As the center, Kelly is responsible for making the initial snap, reading the defense, and helping to anchor the line against both interior rushers and blitzes. His leadership and ability to maintain the line’s rhythm have been crucial for the Colts, especially in their rushing attack with Jonathan Taylor.
With Kelly out, Buffalo should absolutely focus on exploiting the middle of the Colts’ line. Ed Oliver, who has been a standout in Buffalo’s defensive front, could be a key factor in disrupting the Colts’ offense. With Kelly sidelined, Oliver could be a constant source of pressure up the middle, which would force Joe Flacco into uncomfortable situations, particularly if the Bills can generate interior pressure.
Without Kelly’s presence, the Colts will have to rely on backup options at center to make quick decisions under pressure. This is where the Bills’ defense can truly shine. By creating pressure on the interior, they could either collapse the pocket or force mistakes, such as hurried throws from Flacco or a disruption to Taylor’s ability to find lanes to run. The Bills have the chance to completely alter the Colts’ offensive game plan by dominating the trenches.
The Colts will still try to keep their running game alive, but without Kelly, it will be tough to create consistent push against Buffalo’s front seven. Oliver, along with DaQuan Jones and other interior rushers, needs to take advantage of this mismatch and provide relentless pressure. If the Bills can disrupt the pocket and shut down Taylor early, it would force Flacco to beat them with his arm, which has been a challenge for him in recent years.
Overall, Buffalo’s defensive line, particularly the interior, has a prime opportunity to dictate the flow of the game and give the Bills a huge advantage in this matchup.
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