Stampede Blue
The Indianapolis Colts‘ offense had been historic, with the Steelers’ defense trending in the complete opposite direction. Of course, some outside factors may have played a factor — outdoor stadium, the Colts are historically bad in Pittsburgh, the offense was due for a poor showing, etc. Regardless, the Colts’ offense came back down to earth on Sunday against the Steelers.
After eight weeks of play, the Colts’ offense was more than just dominant; it had been, as previously mentioned, historic. Head coach and offensive playcaller Shane Steichen was leading an operation that was rewriting 21st-century history books with each given week. Mixing an offense full of complexities with simple concepts in turn birthed one of the most awe-inspiring yet shocking starts to an offense’s season. Scoring early and often, Steichen’s Colts offense was near indestructible, that is, until they were stopped dead in their tracks by the current-day Steel Curtain.
Four turnovers in eight weeks? Try six turnovers in four quarters.
The Indianapolis Colts had committed the T-3rd fewest turnovers across the NFL (4) through eight games. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, however, the Colts went above and beyond their well-established ball security by turning the ball over on six separate occasions (3 INTs, 3 Fumbles Lost).
Most valuable player candidate quarterback Daniel Jones had easily his worst performance as a Colt yet: 31-50 for 342 passing yards (6.8 avg), 2 touchdowns (1 passing, 1 rushing), 3 interceptions, lost 2 fumbles, and was sacked five times.
Would you believe me if I said that despite this showing, he willed them back to a one-deficit score and a successful onside kick away from giving Aaron Rodgers a taste of his own medicine (a Hail Mary)?
Jones doubled both his interception and fumbles lost season totals in just one game. It was a disastrous showing that even had flashes that seemed like Jones was still sporting the red and blue Giants helmet. Perhaps it’s because I’ve seen the light when it comes to what he’s able to do with an above-average supporting cast and offensive line, but I do not see Jones’ five-turnover day as a sign of things to come. At least not yet.
As somewhat alluded to, Jones have may looked like his past self at times versus the Steelers because of the same issues that kept him from thriving in New York. While Indy’s supporting cast of passcatchers have hardly, if ever, proven to be the reason for the offense’s shortcomings at any given moment this season, neither has the offensive line, yet it was the latter who let down Daniel Jones today.
This is not to suggest that the Colts lost and/or the offense struggled solely because of the offensive line’s play (or lack thereof), but it undeniably played a massive role in said deterioration. Once again, Daniel Jones was by no means good enough today. He was by far the worst he’s been all year by allowing his process to be sped up,...
