Reich’s Best/Worst Decisions: Week 14 @Raiders

Best Decisions

All game overall

This was perhaps the best-coached game in the Frank Reich era. Other than the defensive breakdowns in the first half, the Colts were perfect in all 3 aspects of the game. Indy came in with a gameplan, stuck to it, and demolished the Raiders. The management of the running back group was sublime, the play calls on offense was never conservative, the creativeness in the red-zone and on 3rd down was on point, and the defense just stuck to what has worked all season long and managed to put the clamps on the offense in the second half.

The Colts were clearly the more talented team, are finally getting healthy, and the Raiders have been in some bad form lately, so don’t overcomplicate it. Right after almost costing the Colts a win with a lot of questionable decisions, Reich turned it around and had a flawless game against a tough team, away from home, and in perhaps the most important matchup in the playoff race to date.

The Colts, and Frank Reich, look like they are clicking at just the right time, and also look like they are getting their top players in the best shape possible. This is a dangerous team heading into the playoffs.

Worst Decisions

Lack of pass-rush creativity

My only concern with how the Colts played on Sunday is that the 4-man pass rush sets got almost no pressure at all. Justin Houston didn’t find any sort of consistency, as was the case with Denico Autry. Al-Quadin Muhammad and Tyquan Lewis are okay but not great, while Stewart and Buckner are almost always busy fighting double-teams. Eberflus needs to be more creative when the defense is not getting in the opposing quarterback’s face, especially considering an important matchup against the Steelers, who have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, is coming up.