Colts may open up offense for Rivers against 49ers

"Right now, though, Steichen can't simply rely on his instincts. With a 44-year-old grandfather taking his first snaps in five years Sunday, Steichen did the only thing he could to really give his team 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."

"Steichen seems to understand he'll have to let Rivers open it up more over the final three weeks, starting Monday night against the 49ers. Going into that game, that was the game plan running the ball and control the clock, take easy completions, Steichen said Monday. Philip did a hell of a job managing that game plan on the road, in a hostile environment, first one back in a long time."

"the bigger problem 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 needs to throw deep."

Shane Steichen favors aggressive play-calling but tailored a conservative, run-heavy approach when veteran Philip Rivers returned after five years out. The gameplan emphasized rushing and quick, short passes to manage the clock and protect Rivers in a hostile Seattle environment. That strategy nearly produced a win but resulted in a fourth consecutive loss, leaving Indianapolis outside the playoff picture at 8-6. The Colts will need to open the passing attack in upcoming games, yet pushdownfield ability may be limited by injuries to tackles Braden Smith and Bernhard Raimann. A thin offensive line complicates deep passing and postseason prospects against strong defenses.

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