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Preview for Atlanta Falcons @ Indianapolis Colts
Sauce Gardner will make his debut for the Indianapolis Colts (7-2) on Sunday as they face the Atlanta Falcons (3-5) in Berlin on Sunday.
The Colts made a blockbuster move to land the two-time first-team All-Pro on Tuesday, dealing first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 as well as wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets to land Gardner’s services.
And Gardner is available to feature at the Olympiastadion after he cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol.
His arrival fills an important hole on the Indianapolis defense, with starting cornerback Charvarius Ward remaining on injured reserve with a concussion that has kept him out for the last four games.
Gardner’s arrival gives the Colts a better chance of slowing down a Falcons passing game headed by physically imposing wide receiver Drake London, who last week had 118 yards receiving and three touchdowns on nine catches in defeat to the New England Patriots.
Yet defense was not the problem for the Colts last week as they suffered only their second loss of an outstanding campaign so far.
Indeed, it was the offense that was overmatched in Pittsburgh, with quarterback Daniel Jones committing five of the Colts’ six turnovers in a 27-20 loss.
Yet the fact it was only a seven-point game in part speaks to the quality the Colts have on both sides of the ball.
Their weaponry on offense, with Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman and rookie sensation Tyler Warren leading the way, combined with the talent the Colts have on all three levels on defense, should prove too much for a Falcons team that continues to frustrate.
While quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw a hat-trick to London in a loss to the Patriots that came as a result of a missed extra point from John Parker Romo (who has since been released) that would have tied things up, the Falcons signal-caller completed under 60 percent of his passes for the second successive game.
Penix has topped 300 yards passing just once this season, with the Falcons’ offense remarkably inefficient for an attack featuring players of the caliber of London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts.
The Falcons will need to find some explosive plays early and get a lead against Indianapolis if they are to spring the upset. Fail to do so, and the Colts will have the chance to control the game on the ground by relying on Taylor against an Atlanta defense that is very susceptible to the run.
A win over the Colts would be the second in three seasons against Indianapolis for the Falcons. Yet having won just three of their 18 matchups with the Colts all-time, history is against them. With their playoff aspirations hanging by a thread, it is imperative the Falcons find a way to improve that record and make their trip to Germany a happy one.
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