5 Colts players to watch vs. Bears

The Chicago Bears tour of the AFC South continues in Week 3 when they take the short trip down I-65 to take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Bears (1-1) are coming off a frustrating loss to the Houston Texans, where they struggled to contain any sort of pressure from the defensive line. Chicago is also having issues establishing the run, ranking near the bottom of the league in every category.

The Colts (0-2), meanwhile, have been unable to play consistent football and dropped two close games thanks to turnovers. The run game, in particular, has gashed their defense as they have allowed 237 yards per game.

It's the stoppable force vs. the moveable object, but there are more factors for Indy than just their run defense. Here are five Colts players to watch on Sunday.

1. QB Anthony Richardson

Through two weeks of the 2024 NFL season, Anthony Richardson is somewhat of an enigma. He's shown the ability to make absolutely insane throws, like his deep touchdown pass to Alec Pierce off his backfoot in Week 1, but also makes boneheaded decisions, like his multiple picks in Week 2. So, which quarterback will the Bears see this weekend? Bet on the latter.

The Bears defense is playing at an elite level through two weeks, and though Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud was able to do enough against them, that doesn't mean Richardson can do the same. The Colts signal caller will need to get out to a fast start before Chicago's defense makes him pay in the second half, where they have taken their play up a notch.

Richardson can make the big play but is way too inconsistent with everything else. He will have to play smart football against this opportunistic Bears defense. Seeing as Richardson is tied with rookie Bo Nix with four interceptions through two weeks, that could prove to be challenging.

2. RB Jonathan Taylor

If the Colts offense wants to get going, it has to be because of Jonathan Taylor. The dynamic running back is the focal point of Indy's, offense and after a slow start to open the season, he found his footing last week. Taylor rushed for 103 yards on just 12 carries against the Green Bay Packers, while also adding a pair of catches for 32 yards. Interestingly enough, though, Taylor was effectively benched for the fourth quarter, despite the Colts having a chance to win the game.

Taylor is the team's best player on offense, though he does leave a lot to be desired when it comes to his pass blocking. He's a liability when it comes to that area of his game, and putting Indianapolis in an early deficit could limit his snaps on the field. If the Bears can stop the run early like they did against the Texans, Taylor may not see as much playing time in obvious passing situations. Chicago needs to stop the run early and make Richardson throw the ball. Taylor is a great running back, but the Bears can neutralize his effectiveness.

3. WR Alec Pierce

Through two weeks, the leading Colts receiver isn't the reliable veteran Michael Pittman Jr. or the exciting rookie Adonai Mitchell. It's actually Alec Pierce, who is well on his way to setting career highs in every receiving category. Pierce has eight catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns on the season, becoming Richardson's top target.

Pierce has served as the team's deep threat, using his speed to blow past defensive backs. Pittman will still get his looks, and Mitchell should start hitting his stride sooner rather than later, but the Bears defense needs to account for Pierce when he's on the field. With Richardson's strong arm, a game-changing touchdown from him could be the difference in a win vs. a loss.

4. DE Kwity Paye

It's very early in the season, but the Colts defense doesn't scare anyone. They're in the bottom half of the league in most relevant categories and recently lost their best player in defensive tackle, DeForest Buckner. Someone will need to step up in his absence, and that player could be defensive end Kwity Paye, the 2021 first-round pick.

Paye is coming off his best season as a pro and hasn't really let up yet. The former Michigan standout has seven tackles, two for a loss, and one sack in two games. It could be another good outing for him, too, if the Bears offensive line continues to allow pressure at an alarming rate. He's nowhere near the likes of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, but Paye is still dangerous enough to wreak havoc and make Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' job harder than it needs to be.

5. CB Jaylon Jones

If Indy's front seven doesn't scare you, their secondary won't either. This is a group that has just two pass breakups and no interceptions through two weeks, which makes this the perfect opportunity for Williams to get hot. If he wants to do that, targeting Jaylon Jones might be the best option.

Jones (not to be confused with the Bears' cornerback with the same name) has seen 12 targets and allowed eight completions with an opposing passer rating of 104.2. He has struggled when it comes to the deep ball, misjudging passes and allowing receivers to come down with catches. Given the Bears have been unable to connect on their own deep passes, he might be the perfect player to target on such plays.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 Colts players to watch vs. Bears