Colts Stock Report: Week 6 vs Bengals

The Indianapolis Colts went into Sunday’s game on the back of a close loss, having been beaten by the Cleveland Browns in week 5. The Colts came up against a team who had just picked number one overall and were 1-3-1 on the season being led by a rookie QB. There were some strong showings during the 31-27 victory, and a few poor ones, as well.

Stock Up:

Philip Rivers had his best game of his Colts career so far Sunday. He didn’t get off to the best start as the offense stalled in the first few drives. It wasn’t until the Colts were 21-0 down Rivers turned on the magic and marched the offense down the field in 7 plays for the first touchdown of the game by the Colts. Rivers didn’t stop there he threw for 371 yards and 3 touchdowns (one interception too) in the game playing incredible. Rivers was one of the main reasons the Colts managed to comeback and win Sunday.

DeForest Buckner was a beast Sunday but it didn’t start off all that well. The entire defense started off slow and lethargic. It wasn’t until the team had it’s back to the wall 21-0 down that they started to play. And boy did Buckner play! Buckner was a monster in the trenches producing 5 tackles, 1 sack, 4 quarterback hits and 2 tackles for a loss. Buckner showed Sunday exactly why the team traded for him.

Marcus Johnson was the Colts best wide receiver on the field Sunday. Johnson seemed to show up each and every time the offense needed a play. Johnson produced in a big way and amassed 8 catches for 108 yards. He needs to be a regular fixture on offense and could even end up being the teams WR2, he’s show a lot of consistency so far.

Stock Down:

The entire Colts team in the first quarter from the offense, the defense and even the coaching was awful. The 1st Quarter Performance was nothing short of embarrassing, to allow the Bengals offense to walk down the field and score 21 unanswered points. The defense was a push over, the offense was predictable and the coaches play calling looked majorly off. The Colts did turn it around after the 1st quarter but seeing how the team started this game is somewhat troubling if it repeats going forward.

TY Hilton’s struggles continued. The good news is Hilton is healthy, whereas last year he was either inactive through injury or playing hurt, however he is not playing at the level or making the plays that the Colts need. Hilton finished the game with 1 catch for 11 yards, just not what you would expect from a top wide receiver playing against a bottom ten defense in the league. Hilton needs to step his game up and quick.