The Detroit Lions weren’t at their absolute best against the Indianapolis Colts. The offense went through some dry spells. Their defense gave up some big plays here and there. But the outcome in Lucas Oil Stadium never really seemed up for question. The Lions got the lead early in the game and were up for two scores for essentially three quarters.
Detroit suffered some injury scares along the way. They lost Kalif Raymond to a foot injury, while Taylor Decker, Carlton Davis, and David Montgomery all missed time with injuries, as well.
But in the end, the Lions cruised to a 24-6 victory to move to 10-1 on the season. Here’s how it happened.
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First quarter
The Colts won the toss and opted to receive, giving Anthony Richardson an opportunity to build on his strong performance last week. Richardson completed a couple passes and had a designed run that quickly moved Indy into Lions territory. On a third-and-1, a QB power run went for 17 yards down to the Lions’ 12-yard line. Then on third-and-7, the Colts failed to connect on a pass and had to settle for a field goal. 3-0 Colts.
The Lions responded with a balanced drive into Colts territory, but on third-and-3, Jared Goff tried to escape pressure and slipped. A 9-yard loss dropped them out of field goal range, and Detroit punted for the first time since Week 10.
The Colts nearly connected on a huge play to start the next drive, but a QB hit by DJ Reader forced Richardson to just outshoot Alec Pierce on a bomb. After a holding penalty, the drive stalled for the Colts, and they punted back to Detroit. With a 16-yard return from Kalif Raymond, the Lions started at their own 40-yard line.
Detroit got back into field goal position with a nice scramble play from Goff, who found Tim Patrick across his body for a 27-yard gain. That was the final play of the first quarter.
Second quarter
The Lions found themselves in a third-and-8, but they found the Colts sleeping on a draw play, and Jahmyr Gibbs took it for 17 yards into the red zone. A few plays later, Gibbs took it in for a 2-yard touchdown. 7-3 Lions.
The Colts answered back. On a third-and-3, Richardson found Adonai Mitchell for 10. Then he connected deep with Alec Pierce for a 40-yard gain.
But Detroit clamped down in the red zone (with an assist from a bad Colts drop), and forced another short field goal. 7-6 Lions.
The Lions offense went about their business with a long, methodical drive. David Montgomery picked up a big first down on a third-and-6 run for 13 yards. Two plays later, Montgomery was in the end zone 14-6 Lions.
With 3:34 left in the half, the Colts tried to cut into the Lions’ lead. Richardson connected with Michael Pittman for a 30-yard gain to kick off the drive.
But that was all for the Colts’ drive, as quick pressure from DJ Reader and company forced two straight incompletions from Richardson.
With 1:55 left and all three timeouts, Detroit started from their own 10-yard line in a quest to add to their lead before halftime. But the Lions focused on bleeding clock, and a third-and-6 pass to Kalif Raymond was behind the receiver and nearly intercepted. Detroit punted and that was the end of the half.
Third quarter
The Lions hoped to add to their lead, but a big play from the Colts prevented it. Detroit marched down the field thanks to a third-and-7 a swing pass to Gibbs got just enough to move the chains. Then a checkdown to Montgomery earned 16 into Colts territory. On a key third-and-4, Goff found Tim Patrick for 14 yards, resetting the downs just outside of the red zone.
Eventually, the Lions found themselves in a fourth-and-1 deep in Colts territory and went for it. Indianapolis was all over it, and the Colts took over on downs.
The Colts continued to attack Kindle Vildor in coverage. Richardson connected with Pittman for 26 yards, getting them out of a first-and-18 hole. But an offensive pass interference followed by an Alim McNeill pressure forced Indy into a third-and-20, and a draw play came up well short. On the ensuing punt return, Kalif Raymond suffered a leg injury and was carted off. He was listed as questionable to return with a foot injury. He was later downgraded to OUT.
Detroit worked their way to midfield on just two plays, with Goff connecting with Williams for 15 and St. Brown for 12. Disaster nearly struck on the next play, with Goff getting sacked. He fumbled the ball but Montgomery recovered. Left tackle Taylor Decker was injured on the play with a leg injury. He was listed as questionable to return with a knee and ankle injury but later returned. David Montgomery also suffered a shoulder injury and was listed as questionable to return and went to the locker room after evaluation in the blue tent.
The offense continued to move the ball downfield, though. St. Brown converted a third-and-9, then on third-and-goal from the 5, Gibbs took it in for his second score of the day. 21-6 Lions.
Fourth quarter
The Colts were able to move to midfield with more Richardson runs, but the Lions got a stop on third down and a fourth-down conversion was negated by a holding penalty, forcing another Colts punt.
Detroit’s offense was able to pick up a single first down on the ensuing drive, but a third-and-9 pass to Williams was well behind the Lions receiver, forcing another punt with 13:21 left. The Colts went three-and-out thanks to some interior pressure that almost led to a Levi Onwuzurike sack/safety. The Lions and Colts then shared three-and-outs.
In the midst of it, Lions cornerback Carlton Davis suffered a leg injury.
The Lions offense finally broke the spell with a seven plays, 16-yard drive that ended with a Jake Bates 56-yard field goal to push it to a three-score game with 6:21 left. 24-6 Lions
In desperation mode, the Colts moved quickly downfield thanks to a 22-yard pass to Pittman with a personal foul penalty from Brian Branch tacked on. But Amik Robertson picked up a fourth down stop, and that was essentially the game.
Detroit was able to bleed the rest of the clock on offense and walk away with a three-score win.
