Lightening plays down the field weren’t enough to secure the win for the home team.
For the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday’s game was all about the big play. Whether watching on television or from Lucas Oil, if you went to the bathroom or grabbed a snack there is a good chance you missed at least one of the scoring plays from the Colts offense. Things weren’t perfect for Anthony Richardson and the offense, but fans saw plenty to get them excited about things to come. If this is just the beginning of what can be on that side of the ball, we are in for something special.
A slip and a fall and a heave off his back foot resulted in Richardson’s first touchdown pass of the year on a bomb to Alec Pierce. Falling away, he flicked his wrist for nearly 60 yards on a perfectly placed pass. The offense was stagnant the rest of the half and into the third, but when they got a blocked punt, they took full advantage. First and goal from the five yard line took all of one play for Jonathan Taylor to punch it in from there. Another quick strike occurred with the Colts down two scores in the fourth. A beautifully delivered slant to Ashton Dulin over the outreached hand of the defender went the distance behind Dulin’s blazing speed.
While the offense didn’t spend much time on the field, the defense was another story. That unit couldn’t seem to get off giving up 213 yards on the ground, a third and a mile for a first down, committing a holding penalty in the endzone, a touchdown on fourth and goal with the game on the line, and allowed the Texans to double up the Colts in time of possession. The Texans continued to go on sustained drives throughout the game. While the Colts held the Texans to three field goals over 50 yards early on, they were gassed as the game went on, giving up two touchdowns in the fourth. The long drives took a toll as the minutes mounted. The Texans were ultimately able to wear them down and make them pay as they closed the game out on offense with two first downs.
A loss in this one was disappointing, but it wasn’t all bad. Yes, the defense has to be better. They need to get off the field and get the ball back to the offense. The offense showed that when needed, it can score in a hurry. While the offense will need to have sustained drives as the season progresses, having that quick scoring ability is not to be taken for granted. It shows that they are always within arm’s reach. A one or two score game doesn’t mean it is over. When your quarterback can throw the length of the field and there is speed all around, anything is possible.
