Gardner Minshew Reveals Keys to Colts' Victory vs. Texans
Before the season began, not many people had the Indianapolis Colts as playoff contenders.
But that is exactly where this team finds itself heading into the final week of the regular season. After a win against the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday, the Colts are in a win-and-in situation in Week 18 against the Houston Texans. A win secures the Colts' first playoff berth since 2020, while a loss sends the team home for the rest of the year.
One of the reasons the Colts are even in this position in the first place is the play of Gardner Minshew. The veteran quarterback stepped into the starting role when rookie Anthony Richardson went down with a season-ending shoulder surgery in Week 5. The Colts are 7-5 since Minshew became the starter, as he has helped keep the offense afloat with Richardson on the shelf.
So, what does Minshew think the Colts need to do to get the victory on Saturday night?
"Shane (Steichen) put it great, we have to have our best week of preparation this week," Minshew said on Tuesday. "I think that’s one of the things – when we prepare the right way, we go out and perform the right way. I think everybody is locked in on what we got to do to do it and I think everybody is excited for it.”
The Colts bounced back in a big way against the Raiders after an embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The offense only mustered 262 total yards and 10 points against the Falcons. Sunday's outing was much better, with 349 total yards and 23 points.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) passes the ball in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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Minshew and head coach Shane Steichen must ensure the offense stays on track and does not fall into a rut against the Texans. With rookie phenom C.J. Stroud at quarterback and the ascending Nico Collins at wide receiver, the Texans can put up points. The Colts' offense cannot fall flat or risk getting into a hole quickly.
"I think we just got to find our rhythm," Minshew commented. "I think we’ve done that in some games and then we’ve lost it. I think it’s being consistent every time we step out there, being locked in with our assignment, technique and being able to execute consistently against them.”
Getting into a rhythm offensively is much easier when the Colts have their two best playmakers healthy and heavily involved in the game plan. After dealing with their respective injuries that kept each out for at least a game, Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. are healthy and pose a massive threat to any defense the Colts face. Pittman has been Minshew's go-to target for the majority of the season, as the wide receiver has hauled in 104 catches for 1,108 yards and four touchdowns.
It is no secret the Colts' offense flows through Taylor and Pittman. Minshew's job is to get the ball in their hands and let them showcase their talents.
"We’ve built a lot of trust with those guys – we know what we have," Minshew mentioned regarding Taylor and Pittman. "They’re core pieces of our offense in the run and pass game. Any time you have your best players out there, you feel a little bit better.”
While Minshew would like all of the credit to go to the likes of Taylor, Pittman, and the rest of the Colts' offense, he deserves praise as well. In a season where things had the potential to go south very quickly, Minshew was the calming force, providing leadership and winning play that has been infectious for the rest of the team. The Colts coaching staff has taken notice and knows how much Minshew has meant for the team this season.
“He’s got great energy about him," Steichen admitted about Minshew. "I think that’s a big thing. He’s always upbeat. Like I said, he always gives us a chance to win and that’s what you want in your quarterback. Every time you step out the players have belief in him, the coaches have belief in him and I think that’s where it starts. When you go out and execute like he’s been doing, it’s been awesome to see. Just very thankful that he’s on this football team.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) celebrates with teammates after throwing the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
© Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
"It’s been good to watch him sort of get to really interact with his teammates as a starter – as a guy who is going to be a starter for a major chunk of the season," offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter explained. "I have been around Gardner before a few years back and the situation was a little bit different there. To watch him sort of handle himself in every meeting, in every walk-through, on game day (and) all those things. The way he leads, the way he interacts with his teammates is really cool. He’s a unique guy, a unique character, but with that comes unique leadership qualities."
That energy and leadership will be needed in what is certain to be a playoff atmosphere on Saturday night. The Texans are a much different team than in Week 2 when Minshew and the Colts scored a 31-20 victory. They have grown tremendously on both sides of the ball and have become a legitimate threat in the AFC.
Minshew and the rest of the Colts have noticed what the Texans have done this year, and it has shown on film. The improvement from their division rivals has been impressive and something Indy does not take lightly.
“Man, I think (the Texans) – shoot, just continued to get better, continued to get more confident, they’ve got guys that are playing at a high level right now and they got that opportunity just like we do so they’re going to come out and bring it.”
But the Colts are up for the challenge. No one expected this team to finish above .500, let alone compete for the playoff spot. All they wanted was a chance, and as Minshew said after the Raiders win, it is now about what they do with it.
"This is the stuff that you dream about," Minshew remarked. "These kind of opportunities, these big games – you don’t play for the regular season, nobody cares. We’re playing primetime, Saturday night – let’s ride, it’s going to be fun.”
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