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Ahmad Bradshaw Will Be Indianapolis Colts’ X-Factor In Week 6

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By @Tidow1212

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This Thursday night, the Indianapolis Colts will travel to the Lone Star state to take on the Houston Texans in a huge AFC South matchup of 3-2 teams with undeniable division title implications. The Colts eked out a win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, but were not firing on all cylinders whatsoever. Many fans will deem Andrew Luck the Colts’ X-Factor every week for good reason, but in a short week on the road against this particular opponent, that title belongs to Ahmad Bradshaw.

The Texans simply aren’t built to stop Bradshaw. The strength of their defense is on the line, and in particular their pass rush. However, the middle of their line is far from impregnable and in fact is extremely vulnerable. While Bradshaw isn’t the most physically imposing back in the NFL, he still will be able to run vertically between the tackles on the Texans and be effective.

Trent Richardson would be ideally used in that role, but that guy is far too inconsistent for Indianapolis to rely on heavily under any circumstance.

Bradshaw can also play a dynamic role in the passing game out of the backfield, and that is where I foresee for him making the biggest impact during this contest. When the Texans’ DE/LBs come with pressure, Luck will have ideal opportunities to check down to Bradshaw to opposite flats from where the pressure is coming from.

When done correctly, this strategy can devastate the Texans’ pass rush and perhaps get them to take their foot off of the pedal a bit. Screens and check downs are thrown quickly, and it does a defense no good whatsoever to designate a ton of pressure to the QB in the backfield while the ball is gone every time before they get there. Meanwhile, Bradshaw is speeding down the opposite sideline as a result. If the Texans then reverse course and focus attention to the flats, than Bradshaw can simply beat them up middle. It’s an undeniable catch-22 scenario.

In Week 5 against the Ravens, Bradshaw wasn’t overwhelming, but solid. He accumulated 68 yards on 15 carries (4.5 YPC) and caught four passes for 17 yards. In fairness, Luck didn’t play well and the Colts were lucky to win. Bradshaw is capable of rushing for 65 yards and adding 80 yards receiving any given week, and he will undoubtedly hit paydirt from time to time.

If he does so on Thursday against Houston as the matchup suggests he should, the Colts will cruise to a victory.

Timothy Downs is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. You can add him on Google ‘like him’ on Facebook or follow on Twitter @Tidow1212.

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