6-1. Perhaps the most important win of the season because of everything involved. Colts missing several starters, playing away from home against a conference rival, and getting the tie-breaker over a potential playoff rival. Not only the fact that the team won, but how that win came, with the offense playing the best game I have seen in a long time, and the defense getting the stops and turnovers at the crucial moments.
MVP of the Game: Jonathan Taylor / DeForest Buckner
Another hat-trick for JT, who also got over 100 yards from scrimmage, establishing himself firmly in the MVP race, and why not the leading candidate at this point in the season. The way he moves is so efficient, there is no wasted movement, no rush, it seems like he is playing Madden on rookie difficulty and seeing the entire field from above. I believe it was his second touchdown run of the game where he made Derwin James miss with such ease that it made James look like a bad tackler, a guy who is an All-Pro at his position.
DeFo had an easy matchup in front of him, going against perhaps the worst pass-blocking center in the NFL, and a mediocre interior offensive line, and he took full advantage of it. What we saw yesterday was flat-out domination from Buckner. He won his matchup every single play. At one point I just started looking at him from the snap, and he was consistently beating double teams with ease. Buckner also got the sack that sealed the win for Indy when the Chargers were trying to make an improbable comeback attempt.
Dud of the Game (The Grigsy): Vacant
I am not going to pounce on the secondary this game, as they held their own at first and then struggled when the team got a big lead and the Chargers were passing every single snap. They did a fine job in limiting the big plays and making LA burn plenty of time on every scoring drive. Kicker Michael Badgley missed an extra-point, which is a small reason for concern, but overall it was an all around perfect game for the Colts.
Best play of the game: Grover Stewart tip & interception / Ameer Abdullah kickoff return / MPJ’s touchdown catch
I had plenty of plays to choose from for this award, so I gave myself the luxury of picking three, for different reasons. First, and the winner, is the pick by Grover, because it had it all: play came at a key moment of the game and stopped the Chargers from entering the redzone, it was an amazing play by itself, a guy as big as Grover getting his hand up and then also securing the ball, and it also has the component of a player as loved as Stewart making the play.
The kick return by Abdullah was a massive play because it shifted the momentum right back to the Colts after the Chargers scored on their first drive in the second half. You can never count elite quarterbacks out, and with the Colts thin secondary a comeback was always a reasonable threat. Abdullah’s kick return put the Colts in the redzone, and they managed to capitalize on it by scoring a touchdown and then getting the two-point conversion.
The touchdown by Michael Pittman Jr. early in the first half was a thing of beauty. On 4th & 2 in the redzone, capping off a 17-play drive, Steichen drew up a play-action pass where Pittman ran all across the field and was wide open to catch the ball and then run it untouched to the endzone.
Worst play of the game: Prevent defense after halftime
I despise prevent defense. I understand playing a bit more conservative after going up big, but the Colts’ defense shied away from everything that worked in the first half. No wonder they were also gassed by the end of the game, and it got too close for comfort at one point late in the 4th. Still, in the end the defense did manage to make the key stop and ice the game.
Best position group: Offensive line
The Chargers have an underrated front seven on their defense, so it was no easy task for the Colts’ offensive line; a unit that struggled against the Cardinals last week. It was an almost impeccable game for them, other than allowing the occasional pressure, and they also opened up several big holes in the running game. The Colts offensive success is based on the offensive line blocking as well as they are.
Unsung hero: Ameer Abdullah
Abdullah got the big kickoff return in the Colts’ first drive of the second half, and also contributed a 14-yard run that helped move the chains, and an 8-yard reception. The veteran had a big impact on the game, and is slowly asserting himself as JT’s backup. He is probably not going to get more than 5 carries a game, but it is good having someone that can give Taylor a breather here and there.
ROTW (The Tyler Warren Award): Tyler Warren
Another receiving touchdown, another solid day blocking. Warren is just such a good football player, not only good but also elite. I don’t think there has been a better tight end than him this season, and he is just a rookie. Steichen knows perfectly well how to utilize him, and get him in the best positions possible.
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