Armando Salguero's OutKick NFL QB Talk: Carson Wentz Confident Colts Can Run on Pats; Josh Allen Gives An Injury Update; Patrick Mahomes Knows Chiefs' Offense Not Yet Right
Several weeks ago, the Indianapolis Colts, facing the NFL's top run defense at the time in Tampa Bay, decided it would be better pass the football.
The Colts threw 26 consecutive passes at one point and in so doing went away from what they do best, which is run the football with NFL leading rusher Jonathan Taylor.
It was a mistake, and Indianapolis lost to the Buccaneers while doing what they do second-best on offense.
Lesson learned.
This week, the Colts face the New England Patriots, which happen to be the NFL's top scoring defense, allowing only 15.4 points per game. And it would be curious to see how Indy coach Frank Reich attacks because everyone understands the Patriots always concentrate on stopping what the opponent does best.
That means the Patriots are going to commit to stopping Indy's run game. At least that's what quarterback Carson Wentz thinks.
"For sure," he said. "I would say a lot of teams have done that as of late."
Except this time, the Colts seem unlikely to let the opponent's defense dictate what they do.
"For us, JT’s (Jonathan Taylor) still as good as it gets at that position in the league, and we trust our big boys up front, no matter what it takes to get it done," Wentz said. "For us, it’s going to still be the same thing. We’re going to try and run the ball and I’m confident that we’re going to be able to. We’re going to still do our thing..."
Patrick Mahomes Still Trying To Get Chiefs' Offense Right
The Kansas City Chiefs have strung together six consecutive victories and lead the AFC West. On Thursday night in a game at the Los Angeles Chargers, they have a chance to pretty much take control of the division.
So all is well, right?
Well, sort of.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was outdueled by Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in the first meeting, understands his offense has not exactly been humming even during the win streak.
“Yeah, I mean I think we could continue to play better and better," Mahomes said this week. "You want to keep building as the season goes on. I think defense is playing really good right now and the offense is – some games are great and some games just average so for us. It’s going to be us going into play a good defense that we’re playing on Thursday and playing our best football.
"We understand it’s going to be a dog fight, and we have to go out there and play our best football if we want to win.”
The Chiefs' offense was a problem in that early season 30-24 loss to the Chargers. Mahomes threw two interceptions. Four Chiefs drives ended in a turnover.
"We had a chance, especially late in the game, to go down there, score points and win it," Mahomes said. "We just kept turning the ball over, whether it was interceptions, fumbles or whatever it was. So we understand we have another chance at it now. It’s a big game, kind of
at the top of that AFC West division, and it’ll mean a lot as you try to get into the playoffs.
"We’ll come in with the mentality of trying to play our best football, executing at a high level and trying to have the intensity to go out there and win a game.”
Josh Allen Update On Foot Injury
Josh Allen was seen out on a date at a showing of the play Hamilton on Tuesday evening.
And he reportedly was not wearing a walking boot like he was when he left Tampa Bay Sunday evening after the Bills' loss to the Buccaneers.
So maybe all of Western New York should feel a little better about the quarterback's sprained foot that has his status listed as day-to-day. Certainly Allen seemed to show optimism Wednesday.
"Feeling good," Allen said. "We got a few more days to be able to rehab. Obviously, I'd love to play. I guess we'll have to re-evaluate some things in a couple of days. But as of right now, it feels pretty good, and I'm fortunate enough to have the training staff that we do getting to work on it around the clock."
Allen isn't kidding about around the clock. He's getting rehab even at home once he leaves the Bills facility.
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