OFFICIAL GAME THREAD: The Colts Are an Atlanta Nightmare (vs. FALCONS, 12/24)

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts are 15-2 all-time vs. the Falcons.


https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/indianapolis-colts/teamvsteam?opp=2




lllllllllllllllllllllllllll)INDIANAPOLIS COLTS


llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllll) @


lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, ATLANTA FALCONS

o

[apballin]

Colts 24- dirty birds 17

Big game for Josh Downs today

[ukcolt]

I wonder if we try to utilise the TE's more with Pittman out?

We need to be able to run the ball today, so hopefully Taylor is available for the entire game.

[njcoltfan]

o


The Colts are 15-2 all-time vs. the Falcons.


https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/indianapolis-colts/teamvsteam?opp=2




lllllllllllllllllllllllllll)INDIANAPOLIS COLTS


llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllll) @


lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, ATLANTA FALCONS

o

16-2 Colts 37-10 !!!

[Dam8610]

I wonder if we try to utilise the TE's more with Pittman out?

We need to be able to run the ball today, so hopefully Taylor is available for the entire game.

The Colts need to be careful of the Falcons' TE usage. That's my biggest concern in this game. Fortunately, they don't have a good QB to make good use of those TEs.

[TheMugwump]

Do the Colts have any players named Chris?

I mean, Chris Hinton. Chris Chandler... need I say more?

Colts 31 - Falcons 17

[Dewey 5]

The Colts need to be careful of the Falcons' TE usage. That's my biggest concern in this game. Fortunately, they don't have a good QB to make good use of those TEs.

Bijan Robinson is my biggest concern.

[CletusPyle]

Every time I see Minshew interviews, I expect him to light up a joint, take a hit, and pass it to the interviewer!:D

Colts 27
Falcons 23

[DragonTails]

Bijan Robinson is my biggest concern.

My biggest concern is Heinicke looks like Joe Montana.

[Colts And Orioles]

Every time I see Minshew interviews, ) I expect him to light up a joint, take a hit, and pass it to the interviewer !!! ) :D


Colts 27

Falcons 23





o


Maybe ...... but there is a good chance that he would overthrow him for an incompletion.

o

[YDFL Commish]

o


Maybe ...... but there is a good chance that he would overthrow him for an incompletion.

o

Chappy would then get a concussion.

[nate505]

So, last road game of the season. Though the Colts are actually a pretty good road team, so it's not necessarily a great thing.

[nate505]

Nice job stepping into the pocket Minshew.

[CletusPyle]

Pierce has a real chance to shine today!

[nate505]

The first two plays of this drive sucked...then it got so much better.

[CletusPyle]

Oh yeah!

[nate505]

Great call. He had a massive hold of Pierce's jersey.

[DragonTails]

Could have called a slap to the helmet.

Nice drive after converting that 3rd and long!

[nate505]

I love these CBs who whine about obvious calls like that.

[DragonTails]

Guys, push him the fk in. JC.

[CletusPyle]

Loved that drive! Well done OL!

[nate505]

Nice job!

Fucking fantastic drive there.

[DragonTails]

Fk yeah!

Lets get a 3 and out!

[ChaosTheory]

Methodical.

[YDFL Commish]

O-Line is getting push. TE's need to step up their blocking though. Overall, nice drive.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts have the edge in time-of-possession so far.

o

[HoosierinFL]

o


The Colts have the edge in time-of-possession so far.

o

lol sure after the d gives up a quick score

[Dewey 5]

7-7 Robinson is going to be a pain in the ass all day

[bigalbert]

We made that tuff for them


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[ChaosTheory]

Three dog shit plays on one drive. Hope that's out of their system.

[IndyNorm]

Looks like our D is back to turning backup QBs into Pro Bowlers :cool:

[DragonTails]

Should have had 3 on that drive.

[nate505]

Damn, promising drive just snuffed out with a total inability to pick up a blitz.

At least the punt was nice.

[IndyNorm]

And our OL sucks today too.

[CletusPyle]

Colts have to start using Downs and some screen passes to slow down that rush...make them pay for sending so many guys!

[YDFL Commish]

And our OL sucks today too.

Both sacks are partly on Minshew. He steps up too far into then out of the pocket.

[bigalbert]

Nice job On that punt
JT looks slow today
Hope he speeds up
Minshew cannot read a defense to save his as


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[Racehorse]

This would be a great time to force a turnover

[ChaosTheory]

As bad as that drive ended... It's nice to know that Chevrolets now apparently cure Alzheimer's.

[CletusPyle]

I think Heinicke killed us once before when he was at Washington!

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts have the edge in time-of-possession so far.

o






LOL. Sure, after the defense gives up a quick score.





o


It was all Colts before that drive ...... I can't believe the momentum swing since then.

o

[nate505]

Damn it, shooting themselves in the dick yet again.

[ChaosTheory]

Man I really hate that rule.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts' defense needed that stop on 3rd-and-1-and-a-half.

o

[nate505]

That was just like a 7 yard catch, but great catch by Montgomery there.

[bigalbert]

Montgomery has filled in nicely


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[Racehorse]

I love how Taylor picks up 4, and the graphics show 2nd and 4, lol

[DragonTails]

JT tiptoeing like he's worried about his vagina.

[nate505]

I like Minshew, and think he's a great backup QB, but it's also depressing to imagine what could have been if Richardson had that sort of space on that 3rd down.

[bigalbert]

Q is not a great pass blocker


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[DragonTails]

We need to go back to quick hitters.

5-7 yard routes.

At least he didn't force a pick.

[nate505]

Defense is stepping up, so at least they got their usual first awful drive out of their system.

Hope Blackmon is ok though.

[ChaosTheory]

Shit, Blackmon clipped his shoulder

[Racehorse]

I was afraid they wouldn't throw that flag.

[DragonTails]

Damn Pierce. You have to catch that.

This is getting tough to watch.

[HoosierinFL]

Minshew just out there sailing everything. His footwork is so bad

[YDFL Commish]

Calm the fuck down Minshew.

[Racehorse]

Damn Pierce. You have to catch that.

This is getting tough to watch.

Throw was high and behind just enough to make it very difficult. Credit Atlanta for forcing the pressure.

[ChaosTheory]

Minshew just out there sailing everything. His footwork is so bad

True. Both of those passes should've been caught by Downs and Pierce, though.

[ChoppedWood]

Wtf is that penalty?

[YDFL Commish]

What was wrong with that hit?

[Racehorse]

BS penalty.

[nate505]

What a bogus penalty. Dude was inbounds and it was a shoulder check. When did that become illegal.

[DragonTails]

I guess we can cover a screen yet, either.

[HoosierinFL]

Wtf? He just hit him too hard?

[Spike]

What was wrong with that hit?

Nothing. Refs are fucking idiots.

[nate505]

Fucking worthless refs, that was absolute total garbage.

[Spike]

Why are we so off of these receivers? They only needed two yards.

Don't understand that bullshit.

[Racehorse]

Speed is pissed!

[nate505]

Speed is pissed!

He should be, that was one of the worst personal foul calls I've ever seen.

[Spike]

Speed is pissed!

As he should!

[Dewey 5]

We just gave them a 1st down

[Spike]

E.J. Speed is just fucking good.

[TheMugwump]

Doink!

Shit!

[Spike]

Missed FG. But now a flag? Offside, lining up in the neutral zone. What a dumbass.

How the fuck do you do that?

[ChaosTheory]

Show the replay pussies.

[nate505]

Fuck....these refs suck. They are just giving the Falcons this game.

[DragonTails]

Inexcusable. This is why you lose this game and miss the playoffs.

Just unbelievable.

Could have been 1st and 10 from the 40

[nate505]

I'd like to see the replay of him lining up offsides. I don't trust these idiot refs.

[Spike]

There is no excuse for lining up offsides, none. Other than being a complete dumbass.

I hate dumb ass players.

[CletusPyle]

Fuck....these refs suck. They are just giving the Falcons this game.

NFL doesn't want the Colts in the playoffs, we have to overcome these assholes in striped shirts!

[Racehorse]

Hold on that run

[nate505]

The idiot refs gifted them 3 points. At least it wasn't 7.

[Dewey 5]

Dodged a bullet only giving up a fg

[ChoppedWood]

Not sure what the fuck the problem is but the pass rush today is trash. It's fucking Heineke- send shit to get him off time Bradley!

[Racehorse]

Well, refs only gave them 3, and field position lost.

[DragonTails]

I'd like to see the replay of him lining up offsides. I don't trust these idiot refs.

From what I could see, it looks like 3 of them lined up off sides.

[HoosierinFL]

That’s twice Amir Speed made a bad special teams mistake….2 games ago he ran into the returner (Downs?) causing a muff.

[nate505]

So Fox isn't going to show a replay of the offsides. Typical.

[Thorgrim]

NFL doesn't want the Colts in the playoffs, we have to overcome these assholes in striped shirts!

Agenda

[nate505]

What the fuck is with this offensive playcalling. It is just horrible now.

[ChoppedWood]

Why are ALL of JTs carries in this game RPO's, the man is a menace when he gets the ball with a full head of steam!

[nate505]

They better get their heads out of their asses at halftime, or this is going to be a blowout.

[CletusPyle]

How did this team lose to Carolina last week?

[Racehorse]

Time to extend our consecutive game takeaway streak.

[Spike]

This offensive line is so fucking offensive.

No room to run and no time to pass.

[nate505]

Awesome, give them huge cushions and don't tackle. Great defensive call there Bradley.

[DragonTails]

How does no one cover Robinson every play?????!!!

[YDFL Commish]

When Z misses a tackle it's gonna be a long day.

[nate505]

Give them another 3 points.

[DragonTails]

When Z misses a tackle it's gonna be a long day.

And a dropped pick 6

[bigalbert]

Where’s the holding call


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[ChoppedWood]

Where’s the holding call


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No shit, that was terrible!

[Colts And Orioles]

o


They spiked the ball, and then used a timeout, anyway ...... thanks.

o

[CletusPyle]

Just take a fucking knee!

109 fucking yards...what a shit offense!

[Spike]

Only down by 6 seems crazy as bad at the Colts have played.

Since that 1st drive, nothing offensively.

[Dewey 5]

Falcons get the ball to start the second half. This one can get away quick if the Colts don’t pull their head out their ass

[DragonTails]

Can we throw the ball to JT - you know, like they throw to Robinson?

Can we just drop back and throw a 5 yard pass? We we do anything?

Did we hire Frank back?

[Colts And Orioles]

Only down by 6 ...... seems crazy, as bad at the Colts have played.

Since that 1st drive, nothing offensively.





o


Maybe the Colts should try those 2 running backs from last week ???

Is Tyler Goodson suited up ???

Trey Sermon has 1 carry, for 4 yards.

o

[IndyNorm]

Only down by 6 seems crazy as bad at the Colts have played.

Since that 1st drive, nothing offensively.

I’m sure it’ll be 13 before we get the ball back :cool:

[YDFL Commish]

That may be the worst 1/2 of football that I've seen from the Colts this year.

[Spike]

I'm still pissed about lining up offsides on that Falcon missed FG.

I know I should get over it, but I just can't stand watching stupid ass players cost the Colts points.

[Thorgrim]

Why do we always wait till the second half to start playing? Underwhelmed with Steichen 50% of the time.

[Colts And Orioles]

That may be the worst 1/2 of football that I've seen from the Colts this year.





o


They were losing by a score of 20-0 to the Rams at halftime.

The Rams added a field goal midway through the 3rd quarter to make it 23-0.

o

[DragonTails]

Taylor 1 target.

Robinson 7 targets.

[CletusPyle]

Fuck it.....this team suycks!

[Racehorse]

Our good run defense disappeared today

[bigalbert]

What a shitshow


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[TheMugwump]

That may be the worst 1/2 of football that I've seen from the Colts this year.

The second half: "Hold my beer".

[YDFL Commish]

No fire!

[Racehorse]

we usually make good halftime adjustments, but that drive was horrible for our defense.

[red raindog]

That may be the worst 1/2 of football that I've seen from the Colts this year.


Colts say

Hold my beer…


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[Spike]

Why do we always wait till the second half to start playing? Underwhelmed with Steichen 50% of the time.

Well, we haven't shown up in the 2nd half yet either.

[Thorgrim]

Team clearly didn't come prepared to play today.

[ChaosTheory]

This is CIN over again. We can't defend the edge for fucking shit again.

[IndyNorm]

Well this is over. Way to shit the bed against a BAD team Colts!

[Racehorse]

Gonna get hosed here

[Thorgrim]

Well this is over. Way to shit the bed against a BAD team Colts!

Perhaps not. But someone better start making some splash plays.

[bigalbert]

Gonna get hosed here


I’m glad you’re wrong


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[Racehorse]

Sometimes, taylor is too patient and should cut back.

[CletusPyle]

Our OL is not giving JT any holes and not giving Minshew any time!

[Spike]

Our OL is not giving JT any holes and not giving Minshew any time!

Overpaid bastards.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


They were losing by a score of 20-0 to the Rams at halftime.

The Rams added a field goal midway through the 3rd quarter to make it 23-0.

o
o


And the Colts came all the way back to tie that game at 23, and were a dropped pass away from winning it in regulation.

But it was Anthony Richardson leading that comeback, not Gardner Minshew.

o

[Thorgrim]

Desperately need a turnover

[Colts And Orioles]

The Colts desperately need a turnover.





o


An onside-kick, maybe ???

o

[IndyNorm]

Our OL is not giving JT any holes and not giving Minshew any time!

Yep. Our OL is getting completely dominated by their DL. Which unfortunately is the 2nd most disappointing thing today (performance of the D).

[CletusPyle]

I've seen enough....maybe for the entire season! Have a great christmas guys!

[bigalbert]

SOB


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[Spike]

Can't stop a screen to save our lives.

[WaynesWorld87]

That 3rd and 14 conversion basically killed our comeback chances it appears. Now the Falcons are going to end this drive with at least 3.

[Spike]

Maybe we need to start blitzing the MF Bradley. Pass rush is non existent.

[Spike]

So hard to watch this shit.

Colts are so fucking flat today.

[bigalbert]

They are holding the piss out of our D line. Throw a dam flag


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[Racehorse]

Toilet paper defense today

[Spike]

Does Gus ever adjust at all? Just asking, I haven't seen it.

[IndyNorm]

Does Gus ever adjust at all? Just asking, I haven't seen it.

No, he doesn’t.

[Racehorse]

Both sides need to get their heads out of their asses soon.

[IndyNorm]

I've seen enough....maybe for the entire season! Have a great christmas guys!

Don’t blame you. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if we lose out.

[Thorgrim]

Don’t blame you. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if we lose out.

Distinct possibility.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


In Andrew Luck's rookie season in 2012, the Colts played badly for most of the game against the Lions ...... but they stole it with 2 late TD's, the last of which was on the final play of the game.

That's what I'm hoping for here ...... not necessarily expecting ...... but hoping.

o

[Spike]

Freehand just standing around blocking no one. LOL

[WaynesWorld87]

Can't do jack shit on the ground, and pretty much every Minshew completion is into a very tight window.

[Racehorse]

Minshew is no Luck

[Spike]

Damn offensive line can't run block for shit.


Pay them more money Ballard.

[Spike]

Why did we run there?

Shit hasn't worked all day.

[BCN#1]

Jeebus what a shit show so far... Merry Xmas ya all! :(

[Racehorse]

One of those games. The opposing defense is wearing our butts out, and our defense is just not matching the intensity.

[Racehorse]

Another hold not called.

[nate505]

Without Pittman this offense is horrible.

And I guess Taylor is healthy enough to play, and the OL is absolutely doing him no favors at all, but holy hell does he look slow out there.

[Dewey 5]

Playoff appearance was a nice thought but oh well

[ChaosTheory]

Wait til 9 mins left to shake things up for Heineken.

[nate505]

Minshew is getting like 2 seconds to throw out there.

[nate505]

Now that's probably game, sigh.

[Dewey 5]

Ballgame

[Thorgrim]

Well


Yep

[YDFL Commish]

This is gonna take a miracle.

[dwilli57]

Yup. Time to go watch red zone.

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[Thorgrim]

This is gonna take a miracle.

Certainly is gonna take a turnover or two

[Dam8610]

Such a Jekyll and Hyde team.

[BCN#1]

Well I look at it as a positive move either way given we have beaten last year´s record and flirted with the playoffs in general. The Dirty Birds came to play and save their coaches job most likely.

[nate505]

Looks like the Colts will be in a massive logjam for that last playoff spot.

Colts, Steelers, Bengals, Texans, and most likely the Broncos will all have an 8-7 record after today.

They have winnable games left against the Raiders and Texans, and have an ok shot at 10-7, but hell, every game is a loseable game for them as well.

[njcoltfan]

No fire, seems like they took Atlanta for granted, OL sucked today and so did the play calling !! Where was Sermon, Goodson and Montgomery ??? Quoting a ex coach.............PLAYOFFS, PLAYOFFS !!!!!!!

[nate505]

Amazing, it's somehow still a two possession game.

[Dewey 5]

Lot of talk this past week about Steichen COY Colts this Colts that. It's like this team heard all of that & actually believed they were good. They're not.

[Racehorse]

Offsides not called

[ChaosTheory]

Offsides not called

And then you can apparently dive tackle the WRs legs if you're "playing the ball."

But Speed isn't allowed to tackle the ball carrier.

[nate505]

Such an uninspired game. It's like they just went to show up because they were contractually obligated to.

The Falcons on the other hand played inspired football today.

[Dewey 5]

Looks like the Colts will be in a massive logjam for that last playoff spot.

Colts, Steelers, Bengals, Texans, and most likely the Broncos will all have an 8-7 record after today.

They have winnable games left against the Raiders and Texans, and have an ok shot at 10-7, but hell, every game is a loseable game for them as well.

Playoffs?

[njcoltfan]

Looks like the Colts will be in a massive logjam for that last playoff spot.

Colts, Steelers, Bengals, Texans, and most likely the Broncos will all have an 8-7 record after today.

They have winnable games left against the Raiders and Texans, and have an ok shot at 10-7, but hell, every game is a loseable game for them as well.

They will be lucky if they're competitive, Colts are never, never, ready to play!! Win and they had a 99.9 chance to make the playoffs, they come out and shit the bed !!! Poor coaching, Bradley needs to go.

[nate505]

Playoffs?

Yeah, they're going to be tied for the last spot record wise with five other teams.

[Thorgrim]

They will be lucky if they're competitive, Colts are never, never, ready to play!! Win and they had a 99.9 chance to make the playoffs, they come out and shit the bed !!! Poor coaching, Bradley needs to go.

Considering what was on the line this is easily their worst game of the season.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


In Andrew Luck's rookie season in 2012, the Colts played badly for most of the game against the Lions ...... but they stole it with 2 late TD's, the last of which was on the final play of the game.

That's what I'm hoping for here ...... not necessarily expecting ...... but hoping.

o
o


Next time, just shut up and watch the game.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts are 15-2 all-time vs. the Falcons.


https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/indianapolis-colts/teamvsteam?opp=2

o
o


15-3, now.

Last week, the Colts ended their Steelers nightmare.

This week, the Falcons ended their Colts nightmare.

o

[njcoltfan]

Looks like the Colts will be in a massive logjam for that last playoff spot.

Colts, Steelers, Bengals, Texans, and most likely the Broncos will all have an 8-7 record after today.

They have winnable games left against the Raiders and Texans, and have an ok shot at 10-7, but hell, every game is a loseable game for them as well.

I don't know why people think this is a playoff team. Its not !!

[Spike]

I don't know why people think this is a playoff team. Its not !!

I agree.

[Lov2fish]

I have said for weeks this team is fools gold. I know the record is what it is, but we are not as good as it reflects! We have talent in skilled positions, but are completely lacking talent and or depth in important skill positions.

[DragonTails]

I have said for weeks this team is fools gold. I know the record is what it is, but we are not as good as it reflects! We have talent in skilled positions, but are completely lacking talent and or depth in important skill positions.

The last team to get in is going to be fools gold...so why not Indy.

Get some of these players some payoff experience so maybe next year the team is not a dear-in-headlights if they make it.

[Dam8610]

I have said for weeks this team is fools gold. I know the record is what it is, but we are not as good as it reflects! We have talent in skilled positions, but are completely lacking talent and or depth in important skill positions.

You've got the what right but the why wrong. This team is fool's gold because it's what the Colts have had for the past several seasons: a very talented roster helmed by a very flawed QB. This team will only go as far as Gardner Minshew's hot hand will take it. When he goes cold and starts airmailing passes like we saw yesterday, well, you'll get results like yesterday. Could the Colts use some depth at receiver and interior OL? Sure, but overall, this is one of the deeper rosters in the league. The good news on this is if Richardson is the real deal and can stay healthy, this team can very quickly shift into being legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

[Lov2fish]

You've got the what right but the why wrong. This team is fool's gold because it's what the Colts have had for the past several seasons: a very talented roster helmed by a very flawed QB. This team will only go as far as Gardner Minshew's hot hand will take it. When he goes cold and starts airmailing passes like we saw yesterday, well, you'll get results like yesterday. Could the Colts use some depth at receiver and interior OL? Sure, but overall, this is one of the deeper rosters in the league. The good news on this is if Richardson is the real deal and can stay healthy, this team can very quickly shift into being legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Your eyes are lying to you again. Our pass rush is a mirage and our o-line is still subpar. Our backend is suspect. Yes I know a lot of young players getting baptism under fire, but if they don't pan out its back to square one. No depth at any of the key positions. Pitman is a beast, but he doesn't have that break away speed. We still need a receiver to take the top off the defense. I think Richardson is a sponge in the tape rooms and will be much ahead of schedule next year. If he is not protected and nobody to throw deep to, it is all for naught.

On a side note. Looks like you were right about CJ. I don't think he is elite, but is he is much above average and will win a lot of games and a major pain in the ass for us for the next decade barring any career ending injuries.

[Racehorse]

Your eyes are lying to you again. Our pass rush is a mirage and our o-line is still subpar. Our backend is suspect. Yes I know a lot of young players getting baptism under fire, but if they don't pan out its back to square one. No depth at any of the key positions. Pitman is a beast, but he doesn't have that break away speed. We still need a receiver to take the top off the defense. I think Richardson is a sponge in the tape rooms and will be much ahead of schedule next year. If he is not protected and nobody to throw deep to, it is all for naught.

On a side note. Looks like you were right about CJ. I don't think he is elite, but is he is much above average and will win a lot of games and a major pain in the ass for us for the next decade barring any career ending injuries.

I think the pass rush is a victim of Bradley only sending the front four on 955 of the plays. Atlanta made it their goal to send enough pressure to stop Taylor, and pressure Minshew, and it worked. For some reason, we never try that. Well, we did try it one game, and it went very well. I can't remember the opponent, but it worked. Then, we stopped doing it, for some reason.

[Dewey 5]

We’re not beating the Raiders next week. Their defense is going to destroy the Colts OL

[Colts And Orioles]

We’re not beating the Raiders next week. Their defense is going to destroy the Colts' OL.





o


It's the Colts ....... they have almost always done the unexpected since the retirement of Andrew Luck ...... this season alone they beat one of the best teams in the NFL (the Ravens), they beat another team for the first time since the Herbert Hoover administration (the Steelers), and they lost to mediocre teams such as the Saints and the Falcons.

o

[apballin]

o


It's the Colts ....... they have almost always done the unexpected since the retirement of Andrew Luck ...... this season alone they beat one of the best teams in the NFL (the Ravens), they beat another team for the first time since the Herbert Hoover administration (the Steelers), and they lost to mediocre teams such as the Saints and the Falcons.

o

Yea push around and dominate the Ravens and Steelers yet get bullied and punked by the bengals and falcons

[albany ed]

I don't know why people think this is a playoff team. Its not !!

It is! They won't go far in the playoffs, but they will be a playoff team.

[njcoltfan]

It is! They won't go far in the playoffs, but they will be a playoff team.
I don't think so, I think the Raiders are gonna take them behind the woodshed and give them a good old fashioned ass kickin !! I think their DL is gonna be all over Minshew like white on rice, and he'll have the happiest feet in Indiana ! Hopefully, I'm wrong.

[IndyNorm]

You've got the what right but the why wrong. This team is fool's gold because it's what the Colts have had for the past several seasons: a very talented roster helmed by a very flawed QB. This team will only go as far as Gardner Minshew's hot hand will take it. When he goes cold and starts airmailing passes like we saw yesterday, well, you'll get results like yesterday. Could the Colts use some depth at receiver and interior OL? Sure, but overall, this is one of the deeper rosters in the league. The good news on this is if Richardson is the real deal and can stay healthy, this team can very quickly shift into being legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Don’t disagree with your assessment of Minshew, but you’re really understating how bad the D and OL were on Sunday and in other losses this year.

[YDFL Commish]

We are a perfect example of a inconsistent team. As are all of the other 8-7 and 7-8 teams.

This team will not become a consistent winning team unless we get QB play that will hide our flaws or every other unit on the team shows incremental improvement.

Of course that can't possibly happen until 2024.

[Dam8610]

Your eyes are lying to you again. Our pass rush is a mirage and our o-line is still subpar. Our backend is suspect. Yes I know a lot of young players getting baptism under fire, but if they don't pan out its back to square one. No depth at any of the key positions. Pitman is a beast, but he doesn't have that break away speed. We still need a receiver to take the top off the defense. I think Richardson is a sponge in the tape rooms and will be much ahead of schedule next year. If he is not protected and nobody to throw deep to, it is all for naught.

On a side note. Looks like you were right about CJ. I don't think he is elite, but is he is much above average and will win a lot of games and a major pain in the ass for us for the next decade barring any career ending injuries.

Dayo is getting real pressure both from the edge and interior, Ebukam is doing well from the edge, and of course Buckner is Buckner. I wouldn't be upset if the Colts spent their 1 this year on a pass rusher, but given that it will be in the back half of the first round, the value likely won't be there. The backend of the defense fell off quite a bit when Julian Blackmon left the game, which shows two things: 1) Blackmon should be the offseason priority right after Pittman and 2) the Colts might be wise to invest high round draft capital into one of those versatile hybrid nickel/safety type defenders, as Moore and Blackmon are the only players that the Colts have for that type of role. They may have found their boundary CBs in Brents and Jones, but they need more defenders that can handle TEs and receiving RBs. Downs, Pierce, and Pittman are a quality top 3 for a receiver room. Like I said, depth is probably needed there, but not top end talent. The possession guy (Pittman), deep threat (Pierce) and slot guy (Downs) are all already there.

As for Stroud, guys who break all the rookie QB records tend to go on to have good careers. This is why I wanted to trade up to 1. Hopefully Richardson can come back and be as good or better.

[Dam8610]

Don’t disagree with your assessment of Minshew, but you’re really understating how bad the D and OL were on Sunday and in other losses this year.

The defense was especially bad after Blackmon left yesterday. I don't think he's going to miss the rest of the season. He is one of the key players in this defense. Regarding the OL, they need to get Freeland some help against top tier pass rushers, but he's been better than what you'd expect from a 4th round rookie and looks like at least a good swing tackle going forward. Beyond that, I think IOL depth is one of the biggest needs this team has.