Colts hope to stampede the Panthers with a ground attack

[panthers55]

INDIANAPOLIS — There’s been a lot of focus on the Colts’ quarterback position this week.

But the running game should take center stage today when Indianapolis (0-10) hosts the Carolina Panthers (2-8).

The Colts hope to get starter Joseph Addai back from a hamstring injury, and the timing couldn’t be better. Carolina has the league’s 27th-ranked defense overall, and it’s especially woeful against the run — allowing 140.7 yards per game.

If Indianapolis can exploit that weakness, it could take some of the pressure off struggling quarterback Curtis Painter and the rest of the league’s 31st-ranked offense.

The Colts’ success on the ground could be directly tied to Addai’s health, however. The veteran practiced all week, but head coach Jim Caldwell still wasn’t ready to define his role today.

“It depends on how he is to be honest with you,” Caldwell said. “Hopefully he’ll be ready to go and he can do everything that we ask of him.”

http://heraldbulletin.com/sports/x1295786267/Colts-will-look-to-ground-in-hopes-for-first-win

I expect both teams will run the ball. I like Williams/Stewart over Addai and Newton over Painter. I hope our offense can step it up and Cam can stay within himself and not force the ball. At this point I have no idea what the defense is going to do. If they perform as usual, it will be a shootout and Addai will get 200 yards. I sure hope not.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Good thing Addai sucks, their #2 back is from UConn, and all of their QBs are scrubs.

[antame]

I think the Panthers will rush 4, respecting Painter while hoping to contain the Colts' ground attack.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

title funny

[Jackofalltrades]

I just hope we win and I'm not feeling too good about it after the last three games.

No mental toughness on this team.

[antame]

I just hope we win and I'm not feeling too good about it after the last three games.

No mental toughness on this team.

Yo we got this! We all 3-8 baby!

[Pantherman]

I really hope we win Sunday. But this whole season has been strange for us. But if we loss to the colts on Sunday. Then the panthers are truly the worst team in the NFL. I'm not trying to be neg. I have faith that we will win with no problem. But if there is that smallest chance we lose. Then I think Ron should just quit after this season. Because we are talking about the worst team in the league in the colts. Today game is going to be very ugly either for us or them or both teams.:eek6:

[Pantherman]

I just hope we win and I'm not feeling too good about it after the last three games.

No mental toughness on this team.

Again this is the colts, the worst team in the league right now. If we lose to them. then there need to be some major changes done to this team in the offseason. If Ron refuses to make those changes in the offseason and goes into next season with about the same crew starting and have another horrible year like this one. Consider Rivera last season with this team next year.

[Cyberjag]

Manning doesn't play defense. If that side of the ball thinks the game is winnable, they'll show up--something they haven't really been doing this season.

[Snake]

They are in suck for luck mode. No reason we should not win this game. Our defense needs to bring its A game and step up.

[Disinfranchised]

I would not be surprized.

[SCP]

Our defense is so bad. If Indy does not run the ball on every down, Caldwell should be fired today. We gave uP 100+ last week to a guy that was on the couch all year, how in the hell do we stop a rested Addai?

[bauss]

I think this is the opposing teams game plan from here on out. Not surprising at all.

[CarolinaNut]

addai isn't anything special but he will get his against our D...you can bank on that!