The Indianapolis Colts are welcoming the Cleveland Browns to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday and will be looking to improve their record to 4-3.
After losing first-round rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson to shoulder surgery, the Colts will look to Mike Leach product Gardner Minshew II to take over the reins.
Here are three Indianapolis Colts to watch as they look to take down the Cleveland Browns:
3. Gardner Minshew II, QB
Gardner Minshew II is coming off an outing in Jacksonville that saw him throw for 329 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions.
Minshew was able to move the ball down the field, hitting seven eligible receivers throughout the game, but ultimately, the Jaguars won the turnover battle, leading to a 37-20 Jacksonville victory.
Minshew II has only played in two games at Lucas Oil Stadium this season, going 11/16 for 155 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
In 2023, Gardner Minshew is 90/138 for 882 yards (147 YPG), three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Look for Minshew to continue moving the ball down the field against the Browns secondary, whether connecting with Michael Pittman Jr on the long ball or a quick check down to one of his backs.
2. Zaire Franklin, LB
The Indianapolis Colts have a top-10 linebacker roaming their defense, looking to suffocate the opposing team’s run game.
Zaire Franklin has totaled 77 tackles through the first six games of the season, the second most in the National Football League.
Indianapolis is currently ranked 19th in the NFL among opposing rushing yards per game with 113.5 this year, but have the chance to keep the Browns rushing under 100 yards.
Since losing Nick Chubb to a knee injury in Week 2, the Browns only 100 rushing yard game came last Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers when they ran for 160 total yards.
Look for Zaire Franklin to continue dominating opposing rushers this week as he goes up against Jerome Ford, Kareem Hunt, and Cleveland’s offense.
1. Zack Moss, RB
Even with Jonathan Taylor’s return from the PUP list, Zack Moss has seen a majority of the Colts overall touches.
Last week, in the Colts loss to the Jaguars, Moss (7) had one less carry than Taylor (8) but ran for three more yards, finishing with 21.
In games that Moss has rushed for over 70 yards, the Colts have secured a victory, but the top-rated Cleveland Browns defense will be the ultimate test for the Colts running back.
Through five games this season, the Browns defense has allowed an average of just 79.0 rushing yards per game.
Look for Zack Moss to attempt to break his 70-yard threshold and secure the Colts another AFC victory against the Browns high powered run defense.