Monday Morning Awards: Week 2 Vs. Vikings

Great bounceback win for the Colts, who dominated a talented (though depleted) Vikings team. This looked to be a complicated game, especially with starting cornerback Rock Ya-Sin ruled out before the game due to an illness and Parris Campbell injuring his knee very early in the game, but the Colts managed to pull through thanks to an amazing performance by the defense and rookie Jonathan Taylor.

MVP of the Game: DeForest Buckner

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Taylor

Yes, Taylor had an amazing game, but he did leave some yards on a few runs. Buckner showed why the Colts invested so much in him. He was excellent stopping the run, attracting double teams opening up space for Autry and Houston, generated pressure all game long and even got himself a safety.

Dud of the Game (The Grigsy): T.Y Hilton

It hurts to have to give Hilton ‘The Grigsy’, but in a game where pretty much everyone was good, Hilton had a really bad drop in the endzone on a beautiful throw by Philip Rivers. The Colts offense is struggling a lot in the redzone and on 3rd down, and the key to solve those issues rests on the Colts best wide receiver.

Play of the Game: Julian Blackmon breakup, Willis INT

There where plenty of amazing plays by the defense, but this was one of the biggest. With the Colts up by 9, the Vikings were in the two-minute drill. Cousins tossed a 50-50 ball to star receiver Adam Thielen. In his debut game as a Colt, Rookie safety Julian Blackmon managed to match Thielen step for step. Blackmon deflected the pass into the hands of safety Khari Willis, who proceeded to return the turnover and put the Colts in field goal range.

Worst Play of the Game: Hilton’s drop in the endzone

This is not the T.Y we all know and love. However, he will most certainly get it together and bounce back from this performance. The Colts need that to happen sooner rather than later, though, as T.Y is the Colts’ best and most experienced receiver in a position group dealing with plenty of injuries.

Best Position Group: Defensive Line

3 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 7 QB hits and a safety. The defensive line was all over the field yesterday, and they were a big reason why Kirk Cousins had such a bad game, as he never had enough time to properly scan the field. If Buckner keeps up this level of play, then this unit has elite potential, especially once pass-rush specialist Kemoko Turay returns from his injury. Tyquan Lewis also showed flashes of what made him standout at camp, recording a sack. This group looks very promising.

Unsung Hero: T.J Carrie

After Rock Ya-Sin was ruled out, I initially expected a career game for Adam Thielen. After the Vikings first drive, it seemed like that would happen, but then the Colts secondary just shut him, and the rest of the Vikings receivers down. T.J Carrie had an amazing game stepping up for Ya-Sin and then managed to keep the secondary together after Rhodes was out of the game dealing with cramps. Expectations were not high for Carrie, so it was encouraging to see him step up and deliver.

Rookie of the Week: Jonathan Taylor

Julian Blackmon and Rodrigo Blankenship had excellent games, but running back Jonathan Taylor easily takes home this award. 26 rushes, 101 yards and a score on his LOS debut and first game as a starter after Mack’s injury. What is really scary about this guy is that he clearly has plenty of room to grow, as he does not seem fully adjusted to the speed of the NFL yet. I would not be surprised if he wins OROY.