Quick thoughts on Colts-Raiders

[GoBigBlue88]

1. One thing I love about this team that doesn't get talked about enough is that -- weird injury bug in early season aside -- guys tend to gut things out and play for the team. TY Hilton guts it out. Ryan Kelly gutted it out today. Jack Doyle actually took a pretty nasty hit to the head on his scoring drive and gutted it out. This roster doesn't have those kinda guys you hear about this time of year who half-ass it and want traded or paid before they try. I trust wherever this team comes up short is on talent, not effort.

2. Andrew Luck had to make a few challenging throws today, and you do have to consider the context of opponents, but I would say the last 2 weeks is the easiest 2-week stretch Luck has ever had playing QB.

3. I see a few people on Twitter saying anyone can succeed with this OL. It's true that this OL has multiplied the value of any RB (and is making a case for the team NOT to sign Bell in the offseason as a result...) But don't underestimate the individual talent on display at RB. Mack's second TD was a tough run wherein he made himself skinny and then lowered the shoulder at the right time to get in. Hines had an all-effort run in a critical situation. Yes, there are a few holes, but Tom Rathman is doing a GREAT job creating genuine talent out of this RB group.

I kinda wonder what this team has in mind for Robert Turbin when he returns. Presumably he'd have had the game's final TD were he healthy?

4. Dontrelle Inman will be overshadowed by the TEs today, but he had a monster hands day. The TD "drop" was asking a bit much of him. Dude caught some LASERS today.

5. I love this offense's use of TEs. Reich and Luck really were made for each other. They consistently use their TEs as good as or better than any other team in the NFL. One of those positions, in this offense, where they can just create talent in scheme.

6. As much as I love this offense, we can probably do without reverses to Zach Pascal and fades to TY Hilton. Don't get too cute. Feels like this team is bound and determined to make the fade to Hilton thing a thing. It's not. Ebron/Swoope/Cox on that route, please.

7. For all the great vibes on offense, I really do have some long-term concerns on defense. I think, on one hand, we saw a scheme without Hooker over top today, and there was a ton of miscommunication on the back end as a result. I think, on the other hand, this scheme still makes any game WAY too easy on QBs. It just seems like they're consistently doing the wrong thing. They're in soft zone when they should either be in tighter zone or man. They're in man when they should be in soft zone. They're blitzing seven when they should be dropping 7-8. They're rushing four but stunting them when they know there's going to be a quick release, so there's no chance of getting to the QB. Etc.

Honestly, yes, I know this team needs another 1-2 drafts on defense. I know they need a genuine pass rusher. I know it's early. But I am concerned about Eberflus' scheme. The completion allowed % is ungodly high, they're consistently giving up TDs where they just drop coverage, and their DBs are rarely in position to make a play.

8. Speaking of DBs not in position to make a play, that's 2 or 3 weeks Nate Hairston has been benched this season now, right? Woof. That kid is STRUGGLING with this scheme. Quincy Wilson started playing over him in the second half, and rightfully so.

9. Obviously, we all love Darius Leonard. And we're intrigued by Anthony Walker, Zaire Franklin etc. Leonard's talent is obvious. But this group as a whole is pretty awful in coverage. Even Leonard. Walker was particularly rough today. Some growing pains, but I think it's fair to mention given how much hype has been surrounding Leonard and Walker of late. Those guys are really rough in their zone drops and movement in the MOF in particular.

10. The DL was pretty awful today. Jabaal Sheard didn't look himself; I wonder how much that injury bothered him. Margus Hunt hasn't had any impact since he hurt his knee, quite honestly. Al Woods was really bad today. Kemoko Turay was quiet. I can't really pick out a ton of positives on the defensive line. If Tyquan Lewis really is as advertised, they need his skillset badly!

11. There's nothing necessarily wrong with Pascal fielding kickoffs, but I can't wait until this team has the luxury of drafting a kick return specialist. And I think Chris Ballard can pick 'em when he has the luxury...

12. Adam Vinatieri not only the GOAT, but the GOAT who will go into Canton as a Colt and not a Patriot. It's the small things...