Red Flags For Each NFL Wildcard Playoff Team

Oct 19, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt throws a red challenge flag onto the field to challenge a call against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) scrambles against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Andrew Luck have any help, or will he have to do it all himself?

This game will be a rematch of Cincinnati’s visit to Indianapolis in Week 7, won by the Colts 27-0. The Colts have played a couple of playoff teams this year, but they’ve greatly benefited from going 6-0 against their weak division opponents in the AFC South. The Colts do not have a rushing game to speak of, being led by Trent Richardson’s 519 yards and 3.3 yards per carry. The leading receiver is T.Y. Hilton by a country mile; no other receiver came within 500 yards of his total of 1345. Luck has spread the ball all over the field, which can be an advantage if things are clicking.

However, without a dominant 2nd receiver or running game, the Colts have struggled against quality opponents. Including the Cincinnati game, the Colts are 2-4 against playoff teams. The defense has been thrashed in those losses, and despite Luck’s best efforts, the offense just couldn’t keep up. They gave up 31 to Denver, 51 to Pittsburgh, 42 to New England and 42 to Dallas. If “Good Andy” shows up for the Bengals, the Colts defense can be had.

Despite Andrew Luck’s gaudy passing statistics, he just doesn’t have the weapons to keep up if this turns into a shootout.

Next: Can Matthew Stafford show up in a big game?

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