Reich’s Best/Worst Decisions: Week 15 vs. Texans

Best Decisions

Handling of the running backs

I really liked how Reich is handling the talented running back group. My only complaint here is that Wilkins has proven that he deserves a few meaningful touches a game, but his switching between Taylor and Hines has worked wonders and is keeping both in top shape heading into the playoffs. The running backs are the best weapons the Colts have right now so Reich showing he can maximize their potential is a welcome sight.

DeForest Buckner’s snap count

Buckner had suffered an ankle injury on Thursday’s practice which, in his words, was really bad. It looked like Reich handled it perfectly to get the most impact out of him on limited snaps. Buckner finished the game with 3 sacks, 4 QB hits, and a forced fumble on just 51% of the defensive snaps.

Giving T.J Carrie snaps over Rock Ya-Sin

Rock Ya-Sin has struggled a lot this year. He has yet to adapt both to the Colts soft zone Cover-2 scheme and to NFL refs, so it was nice to see Reich not marrying himself to him and giving more snaps to T.J Carrie, who has been solid this year both as an outside cornerback and in the slot.

Worst Decisions

Soft zone defense against the Texans’ receivers

The Texans’ receiving core is in shambles. Brandin Cooks was banged up, Keke Coutee is average at best, Chad Hansen was unknown and their tight ends are not that really great, so it was kind of frustrating to watch Eberflus not adapt the secondary and have them play more press man coverage against them. Watson picked apart the Colts spotty zones, and he was in line for an almost perfect game, and was also really close to making the comeback, but the Colts once again recovered a key fumble to seal the deal.

Allowing the Texans to get back into the game

The Colts jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, and the way the game was going, it looked set to be a complete blowout. The defense was stifling the Texans’ offense, and Rivers was moving the ball at will. However, after two long passes by Watson, the Texans managed to score and came right back into it. A win is a win, but the fact that this one was in severe danger of heading to overtime, when the Colts desperately needed a dub here to stay in the playoff race, worries me a little bit.