Indianapolis Colts: 3 Players who need to play well to beat Rams in Week 2

The Indianapolis Colts fought hard but lost to open the 2021 season and things do not get easier in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Indianapolis Colts struggled against the Seattle Seahawks. Now, they face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, a team that is a completely different animal. Aaron Donald is just simply not fair — it’s as simple as that. But that’s just one problem the 0-1 Colts are up against in their second game of the 2021 NFL season.

Facing the Rams, the Colts will have to find ways to get open against the likes of Jalen Ramsey while the defense must slow down Matthew Stafford, who looked tremendous in his first outing in Los Angeles. Put simply, Indianapolis can’t get into a shootout with the Rams; that’s not a winning strategy.

It’s a tough start to the schedule for the Colts as they get another opponent from the loaded NFC West to begin the year. But if they want to bounce back and avoid an 0-2 start, the Indianapolis Colts need these three players to show up in a big way.

The Indianapolis Colts need these 3 players to show up big in Week 2 vs. the Rams

3. Nyheim Hines, Running Back – With the way the Colts offensive line performed in Week 1, head coach Frank Reich and Co. need to protect Carson Wentz from the Rams defensive onslaught. One way to combat that will be the quick passing attack, which is where Nyheim Hines can shine.

Indianapolis could be without several key pass-catchers in this game. T.Y. Hilton remains out but Michael Pittman Jr. and Parris Campbell are also listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup. Thus, Hines could be one of the most valuable pass-catching weapons on the field. He’ll be a safety valve for Wentz to avoid getting pummeled by Donald and the Rams. And how he performs on his touches could be the difference between a win and a loss.

2. Zach Pascal, Wide Receiver – When you watch Zach Pascal, he appears to thrive doing the dirty work in the Colts offense. He makes tough catches both in traffic and across the middle, even if it means getting hit. That will be key against the Los Angeles defense.

With the aforementioned injuries at wide receiver, Pascal is going to be at the forefront of the Indianapolis offense. He could be in line for a career week. He’s proven that he can deliver in spurts but, as the potential primary pass-catcher for the Colts in Week 2, he needs to answer the call.

1. Carson Wentz, Quarterback – For the Colts to come out of this game at 1-1 on the season, their quarterback must take care of the football. Carson Wentz likely won’t have a ton of time post-snap and, after holding onto the ball a bit too long in Week 1, he must avoid doing so and make quick, quality decision against the Rams.

Wentz can’t fall into bad habits of trying to be the hero. He needs to find his reads easily and make decisive throws consistently throughout the game. Making his second start for the Colts, he needs to keep the football away from Jalen Ramsey, perhaps by targeting Hines and his tight ends underneath. Furthermore, he’ll need to rely on Jonathan Taylor to shoulder the load on the ground.

Reich will need to get Wentz settled into the flow of the offense early in this game. Anything that rattles him early could derail the quarterback and, subsequently, the offense. Carson Wentz is the biggest key to the Colts’ gameplan and, if he doesn’t succeed, neither will Indianapolis.