The Indianapolis Colts are 3-0, but in Week 4, fans might find out if the team is a paper tiger. So far, Indy has only played one team anyone would consider good. Up next is the indisputably very good Los Angeles Rams.
Daniel Jones and the offense are off to a great start, though the unit does need to score more touchdowns than settle for field goals. This eventually will cost the team, and that could happen as soon as Week 4. If given the chance, Indy needs to put LA away with seven points instead of three.
It is the Colts' defense that will need to truly step up, though. The Rams are led by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, and head coach Sean McVay is smart enough to take advantage of any weaknesses of Indianapolis. Cornerback Xavien Howard might be one of those weaknesses.
Indianapolis Colts could be facing a big decision with cornerback Xavien Howard
Howard was a free agent picked up late in the preseason who his former team, the Miami Dolphins, didn't want back. He missed the 2024 season with a Lisfranc foot injury. He is also 32 years old, which is quite old for a cornerback and of the age that teams are afraid to take chances on.
He was great for Indy in Week 1, but he might have been extra motivated because he was basically having a revenge game against the Dolphins. In the last two games, Howard has not been good. In fact, he's been so bad that Indy might think about finding someone else to start instead of him.
In the last two games, he has allowed nine completions on 10 targets for 83 yards and two touchdowns. He has also been called for four penalties. He's been involved in five tackles, but missed two others.
To be blunt, playing Xavien Howard in his current form will lead to Indianapolis Colts losses. The problem is that due to injuries, Indy's secondary is taxed, and there is no obvious replacement for Howard. Maybe undrafted free agent Jonathan Edwards could be that, but he hasn't proven himself.
Edwards has played only eight snaps. That is far too small a sample size to know if he can suddenly be a starter.
Still, if Howard played in Week 4 like he did in Weeks 2 and 3, the Los Angeles Rams will expose him. That might be all it takes for the Colts to lose a game between two good teams. Indianapolis might soon have to find a replacement for the veteran cornerback.