Up next for the Indianapolis Colts defense will be a matchup with rookie quarterback Drake Maye and a New England offense that features the tight end position heavily in the passing game.
Coming into Sunday’s game, tight end Hunter Henry leads the Patriots in yards, receptions, and targets this season, totaling 535 yards through the air, catching 51-of-68 targets.
Among all tight ends in 2024, Henry is fifth in receptions and sixth in receiving yards.
Second on the team in each of those categories is receiver Demario Douglas, but third is another tight end in Austin Hooper.
We’ve seen in previous games this season that the tight end position has the ability to give this Colts’ defense some fits.
The last time Indianapolis played Houston in Week 8, Dalton Schultz was among the Texans’ leading receivers that week.
Buffalo’s Dawson Knox had only two receptions but averaged 20.0 yards per catch against Indianapolis. Minnesota’s Josh Oliver and TJ Hockenson would combine for 85 yards and a touchdown in Week 9.
We’ve also seen Miami tight end Jonnu Smith also had a team-high 96 receiving yards against Indianapolis and Chicago’s Cole Kmet went for 97 yards.
On the season, tight ends are catching almost six passes per game against the Colts, which is the fifth-most in the NFL. On those receptions, this position group is averaging 55 receiving yards per game at almost 10 yards per catch.
As has been the case really all year for the Patriots, the Colts should be prepared for Henry and Hooper to play important roles in Sunday’s game. While it will always take a group effort from the defense when it comes to containing any offense, the Colts’ linebackers are going to likely be a big part of limiting the New England passing game with how heavily involved the tight ends are.
