3-0 as the perfect Colts dominate against the Titans, away from home, on a key divisional game to gain control of the AFC South. It was never close as Indy got the early lead and then ran away with it, thanks to a dominant JT, and a stifling defense that, despite the heat, managed to […]
3-0 as the perfect Colts dominate against the Titans, away from home, on a key divisional game to gain control of the AFC South. It was never close as Indy got the early lead and then ran away with it, thanks to a dominant JT, and a stifling defense that, despite the heat, managed to stay fresh and keep the Titans in check.
MVP of the Game: Jonathan Taylor
19 touches, 118 yards, and three touchdowns for the best running back in the NFL this season thus far. Taylor usually started off cold before heating up as the season went on, so watching him start off playing like this should be a worrying sight for the rest of the league. Through three games, Taylor has 68 touches for 431 total yards, and four touchdowns. He is not only the MVP of this Colts’ team but also should be the frontrunner for the NFL MVP award.
Dud of the Game (The Grigsy): Vacant
The Colts finished the first quarter up 17-3, and after that the closest it got was 17-6 after a Joe Slye field goal in the second. Before halftime it could have been an undeserved 17-9 but some terrible clock mismanagement by the Titans ended up taking them outside of field-goal range, they still attempted a 62-yarder, missed, and then the Colts managed to get into field goal range and nailed the kick, going into halftime with a 20-6 lead and firmly in control of the game. There was not a Colts’ player that had a bad game. Nitpicking, cornerback Xavien Howard struggled a bit again as he is still getting back in playing form. I expected more from edge rusher Laiatu Latu, going against a backup right tackle, but he still got some pressures.
Best play of the Game: JT’s 46-yard TD run to ice the game
The best player in the NFL this season, making amazing plays to help close out games. This was beautiful to watch in so many ways. First of all the I-Formation with Warren as the lead block, with him making the key block to open up that first hole, then JT breaking tackles with ease, and then the acceleration to leave all Titans’ defenders behind to reach the end zone, sealing the game.
Worst play of the Game: Vacant
There was not a particularly bad play in the game. Allowing a touchdown on 4th and 8 in the red-zone was bad, but that score made the game 34-20 and the Titans had used up almost 8 minutes of the clock, so it was not that relevant towards the final outcome of the game. I did not like the play-calling early in the game when the Colts had the ball in the Titans’ 8-yard line facing 2nd and 5. The Colts ran the ball twice in Jeffery Simmons’ way, resulting in no yards, and having to settle for a short field goal. Against good teams, the Colts will need to find a way to find the end zone more consistently.
Best position group: Offensive line
Jones was not sacked, Taylor had his fair share of holes to go through, overall a great day for the offensive line against a Titans’ front that started the season playing some good football. Both Bortolini and Goncalves have been great in their new starting positions, and the other three positions are as good as always. Jones is clearly enjoying the benefits of playing behind such a talented line, and the Colts’ offense is as good as it is because of that.
Unsung hero: Grover Stewart
Blocked field goal, absorbing double teams, generating minor pressures that forced Ward out of the pocket. Everything about Stewart’s game is solid, yet unspectacular. He is just always where he needs to be, always having an effect on plays, and despite not filling up the stat sheet his effect on games cannot be understated. With him and Buckner the Colts have one of the most consistent defensive tackle duos in the NFL.
Rookie of the Week (The Tyler Warren award): Tyler Warren
A quiet game for Warren on the receiving front, with just three catches for 38 yards, but he made one of the best plays of the game as an iso-blocker on Taylor’s 46-yard touchdown run sealing the gap. Warren has looked like a top tight end already, and it still baffles me how he got all the way down to No. 14. The Colts have found their tight end for the next 15 years. J.T. Tuimoloau was a healthy scratch once again, Justin Walley is on IR and will miss the rest of the year, Jalen Travis is a backup, D.J. Giddens rarely sees the field, so by default this will be Warren’s award the rest of the season.
Category: General Sports
