It was a slow start, but the Indianapolis Colts eventually righted the ship and scored their most points since 2004, beating the Washington Redskins 49-27. It was a career day for quarterback Andrew Luck in a big win over the Redskins to improve to 8-4 on the season.
Let's take a look at some notes from the game.
- Andrew Luck had a great day. He was just throwing it deep and guys were getting open, and Luck set a new career high with five touchdown passes on the day. He went over 4,000 yards passing on the season, becoming just the third quarterback in NFL history to do so twice in his first three seasons - joining only Dan Marino and Peyton Manning. Luck also hit 30 touchdowns on the season (actually getting to 34 today), the first time in his career he's reached that mark and becoming just the third Colts quarterback to ever hit the 30 touchdown mark in a season, joining only Johnny Unitas and Peyton Manning. Luck also notched his tenth 300+ yard passing game of the season, setting a new franchise record for most in a single season - passing, you guessed it, Peyton Manning. He also became the first quarterback in Colts history to have two touchdown passes of 70+ yards in the same game (hitting Fleener for a 73-yard score and Moncrief for a 79-yard score - which is a career long for Luck).
- Donte Moncrief! We've been clamoring for him all season long, and he caught 3 passes for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. He looked very good today and the Colts continue to get him more involved, which is a great thing.
- Coby Fleener had a huge day, catching 4 passes for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns. He should have had more, too, but dropped a WIDE OPEN would-be touchdown. He made up for it (somewhat), however, with some great production overall today. It was the tight end's first career multiple touchdown game of his career and his third 100+ yard receiving performance (and second in the last three games). He has actually been pretty impressive recently.
- Boom Herron looked great today too, and he looked well on his way to being the Colts' first 100-yard rusher since 2012… but a bad fumble shortly before the end of the first half put him in the doghouse and he didn't see a single carry in the third quarter, though returned in the fourth quarter. He has looked very impressive in the last two weeks, but he absolutely has to get the fumbling issue under control. Three fumbles in two games isn't good. At all.
- Oh, and Trent Richardson stinks. Don't give me the crap about how it's the offensive line's fault. Boom Herron ran well behind the line, and there were times that Richardson had a hole. He just didn't hit them. T-Rich stinks. Boom Herron provides so much more at the position.
- The defense did a good job off of turnovers, but in the second half they really fell apart. I think a big reason for that is because Vontae Davis went out with a concussion, as after that the defense started to get torched through the air. I think that just goes to show us how, outside of Davis, this Colts secondary is just average at best. And Josh Gordy? He's not very good.
- The Colts got to Colt McCoy today, sacking him six times. Erik Walden had 2, Jonathan Newsome had 1.5, Jerrell Freeman and Greg Toler each had 1, and Arthur Jones had 0.5. Big day rushing the passer for the Colts against a bad Redskins' offense line.
- Nice scoop and score for D'Qwell Jackson off of the fumble recovery. It was the Colts' first fumble return for a touchdown since 2011.
- Jonathan Newsome had a good game today - I think it was his best as a Colt. He looked good, and hopefully we'll continue to see more of him.
- Big win today for the Colts, and after a slow start (two turnovers in the first four offensive plays) they righted the ship on the way to a huge victory. A nice win to get to 8-4 on the season.