Indianapolis Colts Bye Week To-Do list

The Indianapolis Colts are entering their bye week 5-5 on the season. And they are currently on a two-game winning streak. 

They have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, and the bye week is a chance for them to do what is necessary to prepare for their final seven games.

But what will be on the team's to-do list? 

Colts Bye Week To-Do List: 

1. Get Healthy

The number one goal for all teams during their bye week is to use the week off to get healthy. The Colts have multiple impactful players who have had to miss time or have been playing well under 100% through the team's first ten games. They will now get needed rest and attempt to be as close to 100% healthy as a team for their Week 12 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Some players who this bye week should help in this regard are: 

• Juju Brents (Quad)
• Ryan Kelly (Concussion) 
• Braden Smith (Hip/Wrist)
• Josh Downs (Knee)
• Zaire Franklin (Knee) 
• Drew Ogletree (Foot)

2. Fixing their recent offensive struggles

The Colts have had to operate with the next-man-up philosophy on the offensive side of the ball. After a solid start to the season, the past few weeks have been rough performances from that side of the ball, with their most recent performance only leading to 10 points on the day, which generally will not be enough to win games in the NFL. A big reason for their struggles has been the play of backup QB Gardner Minshew, who is now operating as the team's starter this season after Anthony Richardson had season-ending surgery. Minshew has struggled mightily in the pocket, leading to some accuracy issues that have turned into turnovers. Figuring out how to calm Minshew down and let him play with a better comfort level and at his ideal speed could be huge for his play and the offense as a whole down the stretch. 

3. Game plan for Week 12 (and beyond) 

Some of the best coaches in the NFL have displayed their best work coming out of a bye. This is Colts head coach Shane Steichen's first opportunity to show what he can do with an extra week to prepare for an opponent. The Colts will take on the Buccaneers in week 12, who currently sit at 4-5 on the year. They are a team whose offense and defense have the talent to take over any game, and it'll be Steichen and his staff's job to develop a game plan not to let that happen. Steichen's ability to run an offense has been impressive during his first year as a head coach, which should have fans optimistic about what he can do with an extra week of preparation. Coming out strong in Week 12 can jumpstart the Colts final seven games as their focus remains on making a push toward the playoffs. 

Colts remaining schedule after their bye:

• Week 12: Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
• Week 13: @ Tennessee Titans
• Week 14: @ Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 15: Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 16: @ Atlanta Falcons
• Week 17: Vs. Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 18: Vs. Houston Texans