The Indianapolis Colts went into Sunday’s game on the back of a big division win on primetime Thursday Night Football against the Tennessee Titans in week 10. The Colts came up against a strong team who were coming off a 2 game winning streak having beaten the Jacksonville Jaguars the previous week. There were some strong showings during the 34-31 overtime victory against the Green Bay Packers, and a few poor ones, as well.
Stock Up:
The Colts need a big performance from their quarterback this week and Philip Rivers delivered. Rivers was almost perfect through out the entire game, throwing for 288 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Rivers made countless big plays just when the offense needed them. He was quick to get the ball out of his hands and accurate completing 66.7% of his passes. If the Colts want to continue to win games and get into the playoffs they will need Rivers to continue his high level of play going forward.
The Colts needed offensive play makers to step up against one of the best NFC teams. Jonathan Taylor played a game of two halves against the Packers. His first half consisted of being part of an unsuccessful committee that gained little yardage. However, the Colts came out running in the second half led by Taylor and they dominated the Packers defense. Taylor finished with 22 carries for 90 yards and caught 4 passes for 24 yards. If not for offensive holding calls on the offensive line he would have had over 100 yards rushing and a touchdown. This weeks sure looked like a Taylor breakout game.
Julian Blackmon or should I say the future defensive rookie of the year. Blackmon was having a quite solid game, made 3 tackles, made 1 stop against the run and allowed just 2 catches for 39 yards. But it was his play in overtime that really showed out. Blackmon saw a Packers screen to the left ran straight towards it, splitting a double team block and then forcing the Packers wide receiver to fumble the ball. Blackmon has made important plays at such important times sealing games for the Colts regularly.
Stock Down:
Rock Ya-Sin had a very up and down game against the Packers Sunday. He was beaten on the second play of the game by Packers wide receiver Devante Adams for a big gain down the sideline. But he did manage to intercept Rodgers on a spectacular play in coverage. Ya-Sin allowed a few catches to Adams, who is one of the best receivers in the league, but also to other Packers receivers aswell. Ya-Sin allowed 6 catches on 8 targets for 84 yards. He also allowed a big pass interference penalty which set up a Packers touchdown. Ya-Sin needs to bounce back from his up and down day.
The Offensive line had a very inconsistent day, their run blocking in the first half left a lot to be desired but the pass blocking was good all game. It was in the fourth quarter with the game on the line when it all fell apart for the offensive line. The Colts were called for holding on back to back to back to back plays. Instead of running out the clock and killing off the game the Colts allowed the Packers to get the ball back with 1:25 on the clock and a timeout. The holding calls were a major issue and not only nearly cost the Colts the game but even took points off the board for them too.