‘It’ll be a real challenge for our run defense again this week’ and more of what coaches are saying ahead of Raiders, Colts in week four

Last week the Raiders faced the NFL’s leading rusher and this week they face the leagues third leading rusher in Marlon Mack. Mack has arguably the best offensive line in football blocking for him which will certainly be a major problem for the Raiders defense.

The Colts will be without three key players on defense, Darius Leonard, Malik Hooker, and Tyquan Lewis were all ruled out. Wideout, TY Hilton is doubtful for the game. In two games versus the Colts during his career Derek Carr has had success throwing for 476 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions.

Now let’s see what coaches from both teams are saying heading into their week four showdown.

Head Coach Jon Gruden, on the challenge from Dalvin Cook to Marlon Mack.

“It’s a challenge every week, I think the big thing with the Colts is, they’re built on this astroturf. They have speed at wide receiver. They have a spread offensive system that you have to account for. They can spread the field and you got to deal with every RPO known to man. They can also close the ranks with three tight ends. They have three tight ends that last year hurt us bad, and they can pound it down your throat.”

Defensive Coordinator Paul Guenther, on the similarities between Minnesota and Indianapolis’s running attacks.

“They have some similar concepts but really Minnesota is more of a zone scheme. These guys will use some zone, some gap runs, different things like that. But their line is very good, very effective. They have a lot of high draft picks up there. It’ll be a real challenge again this week for our run game.”

Colts Head Coach Frank Reich, on facing this Raiders team as opposed to last years team.

“Very talented team, physical. As far as defensively, obviously you got Burfict in the middle, a very physical, instinctive player who can run and hit. Just a team that can, last year it was a high-scoring game, it was all we could handle. We were in chase mode the whole game it felt like and expecting a good game on Sunday.”

Colts Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus, on preparing for the Raiders having played them just a year ago.

“You do your normal due diligence. You go back and look at what they did last year in several games. We might have six to eight games from last year and then the three games from this year and then our game will also be in there so you look at all those things because you are looking at everything from A to Z on that tape.”