3-1 after the Colts’ first loss of the season. Even though this is a game the Colts could “afford” to lose, and that the team played well and were close to beating a potential Super Bowl candidate; this one hurts because the team was potentially two A.D. Mitchell mistakes away from being undefeated and fresh off a win against one of the top teams in the NFL away from home.
MVP of the Game: Charvarius Ward / Laiatu Latu
The reason why Xavien Howard was targeted so much during the game was not only because he was bad, but also because Charvarius Ward played a perfect game. He was so over the opposing receivers that Stafford just gave up even looking his way. So far he has been worth every penny the Colts gave him, and it even looks cheap at this point.
On the defensive line, Laiatu Latu had himself a really good game, continuing his breakout season. He got himself a sack, though I will use this moment to drive home the importance of discrediting sacks as a measure of success for pass-rushers. The sack that Latu got was because of an opposite side pressure that forced Stafford to step up right into him, I place much more importance on the consistent pressures he got, and how he was able to beat the one-on-one matchups to force Stafford into uncomfortable situations.
Dud of the Game (The Grigsy): A.D. Mitchell / Xavien Howard
I don’t think it is unfair to blame two players for the Colts’ loss yesterday. I don’t like being too tough on the players, and I understand that there will be some bad games here and there, but the performance from Mitchell and Howard was inexcusable. Wide receiver A.D. Mitchell had the best, and worst, play of his career all on a single reception. He caught a bomb between two players, beat them both, and was right on track for an 81-yard touchdown before inexcusably losing control of the ball starting his celebration, fumbling the ball out of the end zone resulting in a touchback. This is the second time in two years that this happens for the Colts. Hopefully on practice today they force the skill players to run through the end zone with the ball firmly secured on both hands 1.000 times before leaving the field.
As for cornerback Xavien Howard, I was not too harsh on him the first three games because I understood that he was coming off a year without playing, but he is somehow getting worse, not better, as the games move on. He had a really tough matchup as the Rams tried to get him matched up with Puka Nacua most of the game, but the effort and production was among the worst I have seen from a Colts’ cornerback in recent memory, and his play so far this season has been atrocious. The front office has to be looking at other options available right now. Either via trade or free agency. But #4 cannot be the starting cornerback next week.
Best play of the game: Mike Hilton’s forced fumble
Decent start for Hilton on the Colts. He forced a fumble early in the 4th quarter, coming off the edge with a massive hit on Rams’ running back Kyren Williams, that the Colts recovered and had all the momentum to win the game at that point. With Hilton making plays like this the Colts can afford to allow starting slot cornerback Kenny Moore time to rest and heal up his calf.
Worst play of the game: Mitchell goal-line fumble
I have no words for this. I do not even want to include the video here, as not to force you to look at that play again. Right after the wound from Taylor’s fumble was starting to heal, we have to go through this again. Mitchell’s career so far has been a big disappointment for the team so far, and this might be the final straw. With Alec Pierce back next week, I don’t think we will be seeing #10 on the field the next couple of weeks.
Best position group: Defensive line
The defensive line had a good day pressuring Stafford, which is really hard to do considering how fast he is at getting the ball out. Buckner and Stewart had a clear impact on the game, Laiatu Latu had the best game of his career thus far, and Adebawore impressed on limited playing time. There was also no other position group to give this award to.
Unsung Hero: Adetomiwa Adebawore
The Colts seem to have found a gem with Adebawore, as he continued a really impressive season with his best career game against the Rams. Playing just 22 snaps (29%), Adebawore got himself a half sack, a fumble recovery, and forced a holding flag on a key moment of the game. Considering Buckner and Stewart are both over 30, having solid rotational players that can step in is really important.
ROTW (Tyler Warren Award): Tyler Warren
Five receptions for 70 yards, and could be more if not for a questionable OPI flag on him, flagged because he is just too dominant and does not get the treatment that guys like Travis Kelce get. The rest of the Colts’ 2025 draft class have no impact whatsoever this season, so by default this award will keep going to Tyler Warren.
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