Preview for Atlanta Falcons @ Indianapolis Colts
Sauce Gardner will make his debut for the Indianapolis Colts (7-2) on Sunday as they face the Atlanta Falcons (3-5) in Berlin on Sunday.
The Colts made a blockbuster transfer to land the two-time first-team All-Professional on Tuesday, dealing first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 in addition to broad receiver Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets to land Gardner’s companies.
And Gardner is obtainable to characteristic on the Olympiastadion after he cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol.
His arrival fills an necessary gap on the Indianapolis protection, with beginning cornerback Charvarius Ward remaining on injured reserve with a concussion that has stored him out for the final 4 video games.
Gardner’s arrival provides the Colts a greater likelihood of slowing down a Falcons passing sport headed by bodily imposing broad receiver Drake London, who final week had 118 yards receiving and three touchdowns on 9 catches in defeat to the New England Patriots.
But protection was not the issue for the Colts final week as they suffered solely their second lack of an impressive marketing campaign to this point.
Certainly, it was the offense that was overmatched in Pittsburgh, with quarterback Daniel Jones committing 5 of the Colts’ six turnovers in a 27-20 loss.
But the actual fact it was solely a seven-point sport partially speaks to the standard the Colts have on either side of the ball.
Their weaponry on offense, with Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman and rookie sensation Tyler Warren main the best way, mixed with the expertise the Colts have on all three ranges on protection, ought to show an excessive amount of for a Falcons staff that continues to frustrate.
Whereas quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw a hat-trick to London in a loss to the Patriots that got here because of a missed additional level from John Parker Romo (who has since been launched) that might have tied issues up, the Falcons signal-caller accomplished below 60 p.c of his passes for the second successive sport.
Penix has topped 300 yards passing simply as soon as this season, with the Falcons’ offense remarkably inefficient for an assault that includes gamers of the caliber of London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts.
The Falcons might want to discover some explosive performs early and get a lead in opposition to Indianapolis if they’re to spring the upset. Fail to take action, and the Colts can have the possibility to regulate the sport on the bottom by counting on Taylor in opposition to an Atlanta protection that may be very inclined to the run.
A win over the Colts could be the second in three seasons in opposition to Indianapolis for the Falcons. But having gained simply three of their 18 matchups with the Colts all-time, historical past is in opposition to them. With their playoff aspirations hanging by a thread, it’s crucial the Falcons discover a manner to enhance that document and make their journey to Germany a contented one.