The Dallas Cowboys have a chance to get last week’s bad taste out of their mouths when they face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. The Cowboys last won in Indianapolis in 2010 against Peyton Manning, when linebacker Sean Lee intercepted the Hall of Fame quarterback twice in an overtime win.

It doesn’t matter how a victory comes this season, the Cowboys just need to leave Lucas Oil Stadium with a W in the win column. Despite the Colts being 2-6, it won’t be easy, as nothing is for the Cowboys these days. Here are three reasons to hate the matchup with the Colts in Week 9.

Jonathan Taylor

The Colts could be trading their All-Pro running back, and if they want to boost their haul a big game against the Cowboys’ defense could help. Christian Parker’s unit is last in the league against the run, allowing over 152 yards a game, and gave up 147 yards on just 11 carries to Tyler Allgeier last week. 

Dallas has also allowed the fourth most rushing touchdowns on the season, with 10. 

Taylor against a horrible run defense is a bad combination. The veteran RB is eighth in the league in rushing yards and is tied for third in scores on the ground with eight, despite playing on an offense that can only muster 291.1 total yards a game. The Cowboys will have their hands full trying to slow down Taylor.

Tyler Warren

The Colts don’t have much of a passing game and Warren has been banged up for much of the season, but the second-year tight end is a top receiver at the position. Despite missing two games, Warren is second on the offense in catches and third in targets. 

Warren led all 2 025 rookie TEs in catches and receiving yards, which led to some lofty goals this season, but he hasn’t been able to find consistency because of a hamstring injury. However, he has four games this season with at least five catches and is always a threat for a big game.

The Cowboys’ passing defense struggles against elite TEs and they’ll need to make sure Warren doesn’t beat them in the passing game.

Shane Steichen

Although the Colts aren’t good on offense this year, Steichen has led the team to a top 15 offense in each of his first three seasons before struggling in 2026. The 41-year-old coach has a solid offensive mind, and he’ll be ready to exploit a defense that has been one of the league’s worst this season.

Taylor, Warren, and wide receiver Josh Downs give Steichen the ability to keep the Cowboys reeling on defense. It’s a solid trio that hasn’t played their best football yet, but Parker’s defense seems to be the elixir for many underachieving offenses.

If Steichen gets into a play calling rhythm, it could be another frustrating game for the Cowboys.