1. Stop trying to be cute
Frank Reich has always had a wide playbook and uses a lot of people in different places. Sometimes, it looks really good, other times, it leaves you scratching your head. Sunday there were times when I thought that the play calling could have been simplified.
In one of the first few drives of the game, the Colts drove right down the field and were stuck inside the five. This happened many times last year and Indy would fail to convert. This happened again. On fourth-and-goal, Matt Ryan lined up out wide and Nyheim Hines was in the shotgun with Jonathan Taylor by his side. Nyheim took the snap and kept the ball instead of handing it to Taylor and the Colts turned the ball over on downs. How do you not give the ball to your best player in that situation? Now, I understand that the Texans were going to be keyed in on JT, but at least run a play-action with Matt Ryan if you are not going to hand it off. I love ideas like this at certain times of the game, this one was not one.
Reich is a great coach that has a long history with the game of football. He is one of the better head coaches in the AFC I feel like. A lot of people are calling for him to give up his play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Marcus Brady. I am not at that point yet, but I feel like, at times, we try to do too much.
This week, when we get in those goal-line situations, put the ball in the hands of your best player and let the results fall where they may.
Colts vs. Jaguars prediction and odds for Week 2
The Indianapolis Colts return to Jacksonville on Sunday to take on the Jaguars in Week 2. Here are the odds and a prediction for the game.