Indianapolis
Game Plans

Miami – Indy and Miami is a good match-up with the Colts having the edge. On defense you can do some different things. You can try to playpick Miami while being Bickett and thus taking away Miami’s Run 1. You can call Pass 1 and be Odom (top middle linebacker), which also takes away Run 1 as Odom is left unblocked. Or you can call a lot of shotgun and try to use Odom or Hand to guard against the other two passes, this leaves you open to Run 1 though. A mix and match plan of these can keep Marino and company at least under control. On offense things aren’t too difficult since you have the amazing Eric Dickerson. Miami will have to focus on him allowing Trudeau to complete some easy passes, like to Dickerson out of the backfield on Pass 1, or the short WR on Pass 2, and should give you a very slow and steady drive downfield. Just make sure to keep them honest about calling Dickerson.

Cleveland – Nice match-up here. On defence it’s time for that trademark Indy working class style of mixing it up and hanging on. Odom and call run, mix it up with Bickett, Hand and Robinson and a lot of mixing it up between run calls and Pass 2. On offense you’re Indy, so plenty of Pass and enough Dickerson to keep the defense honest.

Denver – Denver and Indy match-up pretty well together. On offense you’ll have to watch out for Mecklenburg and Jones when going to the running game. Mecklenburg can stop Dickerson for very short yardage if the defense has call a running play. Jones is effective, although vulnerable to jukes, protecting against Run 1. Like against everyone the plan is too make use of the short dump off passes and grind down the field, while making sure the defense is respecting the awesome power of Eric Dickerson. Make sure you take advantage when you get a chance with Dickerson. On defense it’s more of that Indy working class style, lots of different looks. Run 2 and Bickett gives good run protection and is adequate against Pass 1. Odom and a running play can contain Dorsett pretty well but leaves you open against the pass. Robinson the safety is also an option. The best tip is to remember calling Run 2 will give you top man coverage against Pass 1, and a Run 1 call will give you 1 man covered against Denver’s Pass 2 (Shotgun).

Seattle – This is almost exactly the same as when facing Denver, only Seattle doesn’t have a Jones-caliber player at RE. Everything said about playing Denver applies here as well. Everything.

Los Angeles – Alright the Indy game plan on offense is essentially the same against every team. Let’s just cover it one last time here. Plenty of dump-offs to Dickerson and Beach on Pass 1, and a good amount of Pass 2 where you try to play it as safe as possible and go to bottom wide receiver Bill Brooks. And don’t be afraid to take an occasional deep shot to the top man on Pass 1. Make sure to keep Dickerson in the mix, and make sure the defense always needs to key on him. If the defense is mixing it up a lot and going to lower rated defenders using to the opposite side run and putting some big jukes and cuts on the weak defender can net you some solid yards as well. Indy’s offense is near unstoppable if you can avoid playpicks, and it slowly marches down the field eating a lot of clock. It’s good times when you’re the Indy offense.
The defensive plan here is a lot of Pass 1 and top outside linebacker. He’s unblocked on both of LA’s running plays and despite being slow can limit the damage Bo and Allen can do. You just need to be careful, not bite on jukes, and try to play a bit of a ‘contain’ defense while other defenders get into position. Against Allen’s play you’ll need to beware Bo Jackson, as he likes to occasionally go nuts and starting blocking everyone in sight. Allen can only usually pick up between two and four yards. Bo can do more damage, especially if you let him juke you, but he can be limited to about four yards a carry. Since you have Pass 1 called LA’s pass attack is totally useless as Pass 1 is called, and on Pass 2 only two of the three receivers are open and the two open ones run short routes and go very close together making it extremely easy to defend. With LA not going to the pass feel free to mix in the occasional Run 1 to get a playcall in a key situation, just make sure to switch to RE Jon Hand when you do. This will tip the offense off but what are they going to do about it? Nothing.

San Francisco – San Fran is a tough match for Indy. Ronnie Lott’s run-stopping ability makes it a lot harder for the offense to drive the field but it’s still doable. You just have to avoid playcalls. On defense Indy lacks a playmaker as Bickett is taken out of the game because he covers Jerry Rice on all three passing plays. So you’re left with RE Jon Hand and a Pas 1 base defense to slow the 49ers down. This gives you solid protection against everything except Shotgun. When Shotgun is picked by the offense and you don’t have it called the top middle linebacker Odom is the man to be. He’s in better position to make a play then anyone else.

Washington – Be the top outside linebacker and pick Pass 2. You win.

Dallas – Dallas’ terrible defence should make it easy for Indy to stomp all over them. With no star players Dallas will need to key on Dickerson, leaving the passing attack wide open. If they decide to roll the dice and call pass, take advantage of Dickerson’s awesomeness and rip their hearts out. On defense you are in for a bit of a challenge as Dallas can do some things. Walker is dangerous, and their Shotgun play poses problems for everyone, including Indy. Bickett and Run 2 will stop Dallas’ ground game but leave you wide open for Dallas to go the air, so you’ll need to mix in some pass calling. Preferably Pass 2, as it is much more devastating and Pass 1 is a pretty lousy play for Dallas. When you go to Pass 2, its best to go to Odom, as he’s in the best position and has no coverage responsibilities.

Chicago – Dangerous Chicago. Offense might be a problem here to say the least; Chicago has a swarming defense and a lot of superstars ready to stuff the run and makes scoring points tough, even for Indy. Basically you have to really grind this out, try to avoid play calls, and make sure to take advantage when you get Dickerson an opening. It’s not easy. On defense you’re going to have to go with a lot of run calling to keep Walter Payton under wraps. Lots of Run 2 and Bickett is the general plan to contain them. When you need to go to pass to get a stop I’d recommend calling Pass 1 as Pass 2 is much more difficult for McMahon to land a pass on. With Pass 1 he will always have Payton ready for that dump off and some easy gains. This is usually a battle of field position and defense, so you need to be sharp. Watch out for Gentry too.

New York – On offense Indy is in for a much tougher time then normal, as New York can use LT and Banks to either take Dickerson completely out of the game or contain him. Pass 1 will be the go to play, with plenty of dump-offs to Dickerson and Beach. Taking a shot deep at some point is probably a good idea, as the Giants defense is too good to grind into the turf like Indy can do to other teams. Defensively Indy can handle the Giants offense pretty well. Bickett and Run 2 can shut down the New York running game. Robinson at safety can get involved as well when calling either running play. Calling Run 1 and being the right end Hand limits the Giants bread and butter (Pass 2) decently, and can create some pressure situations for Simms. New York’s offense isn’t explosive so Indy can use either working class mix and match technique pretty well, while you’re waiting and hoping for a mistake from Phil Simms. This is really a tough match-up for the New York Giants, but they’re still the New York Giants so they tend to still win.

Minnesota – Indy matches up really nicely to manhandle Minnesota. Robinson at bottom safety and calling Pass 1 or 2 pretty much stops Minnesota dead in their tracks. Beware the hidden blocker of doom though. Bickett and a pass call is another strategy, but he can get picked up on the WR reverse. Minnesota’s defense is pretty tough, but you should easily win the field position battle with Stark’s punting, and you can launch some long field goals with Biasucci without really having to worry about them being blocked.