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3 Keys to a Bears Victory Over the Colts in Week 3

The Bears travel to Indianapolis this Sunday to take on the Colts in what should be a winnable game. Here are three things the Bears must do to ensure a win.

By Joseph Grassano

Sep 15, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Sep 15, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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3. Lock Down Alec Pierce

Entering the season, the Colts' wide receiving core was supposed to lift up Anthony Richardson. The room is made up of fifth-year receiver Michael Pittman Jr., third-year receiver Alec Pierce, and rookie Adonai Mitchell. So far, through two games, Pittman and Mitchell have not been on the same page as Richardson.

While it's understandable for Mitchell and Richardson to have growing pains since Mitchell is a rookie, Pittman should not be having the same issues. Though two games, Pittman has seven receptions on 15 targets for 52 yards and one drop. That's not enough production for a player who just got paid $70 million over three years with $46 million guaranteed.

The Colts receiver that has had the best connection with Richardson so far this season is Pierce. In two games, Pierce had 8 catches on 10 targets for 181 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 1 against the Texans, Pierce had three catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. His longest catch against the Texans was a 60-yarder for a touchdown.

Pierce can pose a serious problem for the Bears' defense, especially after they had trouble stopping Nico Collins. Collins had 8 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown on Sunday Night Football. Matching up with the Colts receivers is a lot different than it is with the Texans since the Texans have one of the best wide receiver trios in the NFL.

With how inconsistent Pittman has been through the first two weeks, putting Jaylon Johnson on Pierce is likely the smart thing to do. If Johnson can shut down Pierce, then Richardson will need to throw to his other receivers who he has not been in sync with. Forcing him to throw to them will lead to incompletions and possible turnovers.

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