The Colts took a close win at Nashville last Sunday with a 19-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Tennessee. Better work from the defense and three touchdown passes from Jacoby Brissett were the reasons. Brissett didn’t put up big numbers but he made the plays when he had to. Marlon Mack gained 51 yards on 20 carries but his relief man Jordan Wilkes gained 82 yards on just 5 carries, including a 55 yard scamper in the 4th quarter which set up the team’s go-ahead touchdown. Right now the Colts are second in the league in rushing yards.
Brissett had 17 completions on 26 attempts for 146 yards. He had 3 touchdown passes but he was sacked 3 times and had an interception. He spread his completions to 8 different receivers. T.Y. Hilton led the way with 4 catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Tightend Eric Ebron grabbed 3 passes for 26 yards including a 5 yard shovel pass for a score.
Defensively, Darius Leonard came back strong with 18 tackles including 10 solo and a sack. Malik Hooker grabbed his first interception of the year and rookie safety Khari Willis recorded 9 stops. The Colts interior pass rush was back with defensive tackle Denico Autry recording 2.5 sacks. The defense had 7 sacks on the day. They still are vulnerable against the run. Houston running back Derrick Henry ran for 81 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown
Special teams was once again the fly in the oatmeal. Adam Vinatieri missed 2 more extra points and this could have cost the team a win. Immediately after the game, obviously stressed out Vinatieri told a reporter that he would have something to say Monday morning. There was immediate speculation that #4 would announce his retirement. Jimmy Irsay told the media that the Colts kicking game was definitely a concern. However, when Monday morning arrived Coach Reich told the media that “Adam Vinatieri IS our kicker!” It may be that Chris Ballard looked around for possible replacements and just couldn’t find anybody better than Adam.
So the Colts have a win and are in a 3 way tie for the lead in the AFC South. The next game is this coming Sunday the 22nd against the Atlanta Falcons at home in Lucas Oil Stadium at 1 p.m.
Chad Kelly and the NFL Quarterback Crunch
Chad Kelly, who impressed running the Colts offense in pre-season, is back after a 2 game suspension for violation of the league’s code of conduct policy in 2018. So the question is what will the Colts do with him? The team signed Brian Hoyer to be the backup and I can’t imagine the team cutting a needed reserve player to add a third quarterback. I believe the team will just waive him.
The NFL is only in it’s third week of the season and already some key quarterbacks have taken a serious hit. Sam Darnold, the Jets 2nd year passer has come down with mononucleosis and is indefinitely on the injured reserve. Over this last weekend the Steelers Ben Roethlisberger injured his elbow and is finished for the season. 2018 3rd round pick will be his replacement The New Orleans Saints legendary quarterback Drew Brees injured his right hand on Aaron Donald’s face mask and will be out for at least 6 weeks. Teddy Bridgewater will replace him. For the Jets things got even worse. Back up quarterback Trevor Siemian who was to be the starter until Darnold’s return critically injured his foot and now he is out for the season. Luke Falk did the best he could under the circumstances. The point is that now these teams are in need of a backup quarterback.
My feeling is that if and when the Colts let Kelly walk he will not be unemployed for long. I’m thinking that he will be a New York Jet within the week.
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