Browns scouting report: Indianapolis Colts
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is an analyst on the Cleveland Browns for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Record: 3-3.
Last game: Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars, 37-20, October 15 in Jacksonville.
Coach: Shane Steichen, 3-3, first year.
Series record: Browns lead, 18-17 (including post-season).
Last meeting: Browns won, 32-23, October 11, 2020 in Cleveland.
League rankings: Offense is 10th overall (15th rushing, 10th passing), defense is 26th overall (18th rushing, 23rd passing) and turnover differential is zero.
Things to watch
1. Colts owner Jim Irsay has told multiple news outlets that rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will undergo surgery within the next 10 days to repair a Grade 3 sprain of the A/C joint in his right (throwing) shoulder. It will end the season of the fourth overall pick of the 2023 draft after an exciting, promising start. Richardson was 2-2 in his four starts. He completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 577 yards, and had three touchdowns v. one interception. Richardson is the first rookie QB to score a rushing touchdown in each of his first three starts. He carried the ball 25 times for 136 yards and four TD. He fumbled three times and lost one of them. In his brief time on the field, Richardson infused the franchise with the belief he is the quarterback who will lead the Colts back to prominence.
2. Richardson will be replaced by Gardner Minshew, 27, a veteran of three teams in five NFL seasons. In his career, Minshew has a 9-17 record as a starter, but sports an overall ratio of 47 touchdowns v. 18 interceptions and a career passer rating of 91.5. Colts radio analyst Rick Venturi describes Minshew as a “singles hitter,” as opposed to the home-run, big-play potential of Richardson. Colts coach Shane Steichen will adjust to a more run-oriented game plan and hope Minshew doesn’t duplicate his four-turnover performance against the Jaguars. Minshew can be effective when he keeps his game under control and plays with a lead. The Colts erred in having him throw 55 times against Jacksonville.
With his acrimonious contract dispute behind him, running back Jonathan Taylor is ready to take over as the main man on the Colts' offense.
3. After ending his public dispute with the Colts with a three-year contract for $42 million, franchise back Jonathan Taylor appears ready to take over as the club’s feature runner – just as Richardson’s season is ending. In his first three seasons, Taylor rushed 756 times for 3,841 yards (5.08 average). Taylor has had spot duty in the last two games, rushing 14 times for 37 yards but turning one catch into a 40-yard play. He is expected to return to his starting spot against the Browns. That’s not great news for Zack Moss, who is the NFL’s second-leading rusher with 466 yards (4.9 average) and four TD. Taylor is a more explosive threat. Moss won’t be mothballed. He’ll join Taylor as a pretty nice 1-2 punch for Minshew.
4. The Colts’ defense suffered a blow when nose tackle Grover Stewart was suspended for six games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. Stewart and DeForest Buckner formed one of the league’s top run-stopping duos inside and, along with unheralded linebackers Zaire Franklin and Shaquille Leonard, were the strengths of the defense. If edges Kwity Paye and Samson Ekubam don’t provide a rush, a pair of rookie starting cornerbacks – JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones – can be severely exposed.
Did you know … ?
1. GM Chris Ballard received some criticism for making kicker Matt Gay the second-highest paid kicker in the league (four years, $22 million). Gay then made the move pay off when he out-kicked the top-paid kicker, Baltimore’s Justin Tucker, with five field goals and a PAT in the Colts’ 22-19 victory in Baltimore. Gay became the first kicker in history to make four 50+ yard field goals in a game.
2. The Colts are one of three teams to score at least 20 points in every game. The others are Detroit and Miami.
3. The Colts have forced eight fumbles. That ranks second in the NFL.
4. The Browns are 7-0 against AFC South teams under Kevin Stefanski.
Small world: Head coach Shane Steichen was a Browns offensive quality control coach in 2013 … Defensive tackle Taven Bryan played for the Browns in 2022.
