Stampede Blue
Should have won this one, simple as that
20 carries on his first game back from that high-ankle sprain, and JT got over 100 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He was clearly missed, and a big part of the Colts’ offensive gameplan. His play warranted more touches, so it is a mistery why he got just 20 carries when AR passed the ball 32 times. Hopefully Taylor can put the injury behind him and give the Colts a consistent back to rely on, something much needed in this time of inconsistent quarterback play.
Shane Steichen is definitely one of the duds of the game because of his play-calling to finish the first half. Putting Richardson in such a position, when the situation did not call for it at all was just flat out idiotic. There is no reason why the Colts were passing twice there, and in the end it costed the Colts the game. Steichen has to be better, and some questions are starting to be asked in the fanbase whether he is the right guy to develop a quarterback like Richardson.
Zaire Franklin is once again among the duds of the game, and you could make the argument that this is a personal crusade, but in case you doubt what I am saying do me the favor and just go back to the game and review every single play the Texans ran for more than 10-yards, and watch what Franklin did on said plays. He is just not a good NFL linebacker. His only strength was run-defense, as he does not get sacks, he does not generate turnovers, and is also not good at covering tight ends or running backs in the passing game, and now his only strength is now also a weakness. I doubt he gets benched because he is a leader in the locker room, or there might be something I am not seeing, but the Colts really need a change at the linebacker position.
Finally a busted-coverage goes the Colts way, as Josh Downs was wide open for a big touchdown. He has been by far the team’s best receiver and I could have easily picked the amazing acrobatic catch where he was stopped in the one-yard line, but I had Anthony Richardson as my starting quarterback in fantasy, my opponent had Jonathan Taylor. That play costed me 10 points and I am currently losing by two points, so not a good Sunday at all for this humble writer.
There was no need for Richardson to throw the ball twice in a row on that field position, and while the read was absolutely terrible and he has no business even trying to hit that, Steichen also gets plenty of the blame for putting him...
