The Indianapolis Colts (2-3) fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) on Sunday afternoon, 34-22, and the Horseshoe was simply outcoached, outplayed, and out-willed in a tough road environment where they haven’t won since 2008—with that franchise losing streak only continuing.
Without dwelling on this latest loss, let’s take a look at some of the individual highlights and lowlights:
Horsepower
- PK Spencer Shrader: The Colts returning kicker has been arguably their best player through 5 games, and made all 5 of his field goal attempts in Pittsburgh, tying a Horseshoe franchise single-game record. In inclement weather conditions, these weren’t easy kicks either by any means, as Shrader’s makes included longs of 57 and 56 yards. You hate to kick 5 field goals in any game instead of scoring touchdowns offensively, but he’s been a huge special teams asset and most notably, from long distance as of late.
- TE Tyler Warren: Colts head coach Shane Steichen finally was able to get Warren unleashed a bit, who led the Indianapolis offense with a team-high 7 receptions for 83 total receiving yards, as well as a 1-yard fullback touchdown run on 4th and goal near midway through the second quarter.
- CB Sauce Gardner: This could’ve been one of the big bragging points for Colts fans—had Indianapolis actually been road warriors and won on Sunday. Steelers wideout DK Metcalf inexplicably pretended to not know who Gardner was prior to the game when speaking to the media, and Gardner limited the former to just 1 reception on 2 targets for 9 total receiving yards when matched up opposite one another in coverage. Gardner clearly had a rough outing in London, but bounced back in Pittsburgh in a big way. Unfortunately, the Colts couldn’t make enough plays to land the W.
Horseplay
- Run Blocking: The Colts are a ‘run-first’ team with star running back Jonathan Taylor rushing to set up the pass, but Pittsburgh kept both running backs in check holding Taylor to a paltry 3.0 ypc avg. on 15 carries and rookie backup Seth McGowan to 3.2 ypc avg. on 5 carries as a change-of-pace. The Colts had a very challenging time consistently running the football effectively, as the Pittsburgh front seven was clearly committed to shutting down #28 first and foremost as their top priority in tough weather conditions.
- Colts Defense: Whether it was Aaron Rodgers initially starting a perfect 10 for 10 in pass attempts, throwing for 3 passing touchdowns to 0 interceptions, or Steelers running back Jaylen Warren making NFL history on the ground and through the air, it was collectively a miserable showing by the Colts already much maligned defense. There was hardly any edge pressure yet again, as the Colts had just one sack, and the Indianapolis run defense was gashed, allowing a whopping 6.7 ypc avg. to Warren on 15 carries—with his 50-yard, 3rd quarter touchdown run clearly boosting that number. The Colts struggling linebackers can’t cover middle of the field in pass coverage, the Indy pass pressure isn’t nearly consistent enough, and the Colts corners give up too easy of short throws with provided cushion. To me, it’s both a coaching and personnel issue for the Colts defensively, and it’s a fair question of whether they have the horses and juice right now to actually get it solved in-season. I don’t want to hear anymore about a lack of effort or ‘want to’ regarding tackling. We’re already 5 games in. If it hasn’t happened already, when will it?
Espace publicitaire · 300×250
