Colts may need more aggressive game plan for Philip Rivers if they want to salvage their season

INDIANAPOLIS AP Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen prefers being the aggressive play-caller He likes taking chances on third down would rather go for it on fourth down than punt and enjoys finding creative techniques to stretch the field Right now though Steichen can t exclusively rely on his instincts With a -year-old grandfather taking his first snaps in five years Sunday Steichen did the only thing he could to really give his association a chance to win at Seattle He played it safe with a run-heavy gameplan that featured primarily mostly quick short throws from Philip Rivers It almost worked but a fourth consecutive loss left Indy - on the outside of the playoff mix and answering one big question Can the Colts make this postseason playing this conservatively Steichen seems to understand he ll have to let Rivers open it up more over the final three weeks Going into that match that was the match plan running the ball and control the clock take easy completions Steichen explained Monday Philip did a hell of a job managing that challenge plan on the road in a hostile atmosphere first one back in a long time He did what was necessary to put us in position to win the event and at his age where he s at in his career we didn t bring him here to sit on the bench Yes Steichen noted there will be a different championship plan for next Monday night s competition against San Francisco - without giving away any hint as to what may change But the reality is Indy faces three more playoff-chasing teams with defenses nearly as stingy as they faced in Sunday s - loss and the bigger challenge may be whether Rivers can push the ball downfield enough times to back those defenses off the line of scrimmage And with right tackle Braden Smith already on injured reserve and left tackle Bernhard Raimann leaving Sunday with an injured elbow Indy s offensive line may be hard-pressed to give Rivers the time he requirements to throw deep leaving the Colts in a bind But at least Rivers proved Sunday he gives them a viable option to win whatever style the Colts play They re just hoping Rivers can change the direction of a fading club I think each encounter plan is going to be different and that was the competition plan for that match Steichen explained This week s a new challenge a new opportunity for us and obviously the tournament plan we ll switch on how we have to try to win the championship What s working Run defense Indy s defense as a whole played well enough to beat the Seahawks It forced Seattle to settle for six field goals and no touchdowns yielding just total yards But where the Colts really excelled was against the run Seattle had carries for yards What demands help Finishing drives During the first half this season Indy was among the league s majority proficient red-zone teams During this four-game skid Indy has lost three times by four or fewer points while converting just of red-zone trips into TDs Indy only moved inside Seattle s -yard line once Sunday Stock up RT Jalen Travis With Smith now on injured reserve the fourth-round draft pick made his starting debut against one of the league s top defenses Though Rivers was hurried at times especially in the second half Travis held his own and may have played well enough to earn the starting job next year if Smith becomes a free agent Stock down Tyler Warren Indy s first-round draft pick has been a perfect fit this season He s been valuable versatile and game-changing setting the franchise record for rookie tight ends with receptions He s also nearing the franchise mark for yards receiving But over the past four games he has just catches for yards and one TD Indy demands Warren to make more of an impact Injuries Aside from Raimann the Colts appear to have survived this week s event relatively healthy Plus they could be getting healthier It s unclear if two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner strained calf could return this week or whether Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner neck might be activated before Monday night Quarterback Anthony Richardson fractured orbital bone also has begun physical activity and could have his -day window for a accomplishable return opened this week Key number Since starting the season at - before the bye the Colts have slid into the No spot in the AFC If they can t move up Indy will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year What s next Indy likely demands at least two wins in its last three games to earn a playoff berth but the road ahead won t be easy In addition to hosting the ers they also host AFC South-leading Jacksonville - on a short Christmas week before closing the season at Houston - AP NFL https apnews com hub NFL Source