While every game in the NFL is important, some are clearly more important than others. Especially when it’s against a divisional rival and the winner gets to sit in first place. Those are the circumstances the Indianapolis Colts (4-2) faced on Sunday as they competed and eventually defeated their biggest divisional rival, the Houston Texans (4-3), 30-23.
Over the course of Sunday’s victory, the Colts displayed a multitude of talents. Whether it was their passing game gaining big play after big play to their defense pressuring quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Colts did more than enough to leave Lucas Oil Stadium victorious.
Here are five takeaways from the Colts’ big divisional win:
Jacoby Brissett delivers when called upon
As I mentioned in my latest “key matchups to watch” piece, the quarterback matchup between the Brissett and the Watson was going to be worth watching. With both players not only playing different styles of football but handling various responsibilities, I believed Sunday’s game was going to come down to the two of them.
And while Watson would make his share of plays, the Texans’ star was clearly outplayed by Brissett. On Sunday, we saw Brissett play the kind of game quarterbacks dreamed of. The Colts’ QB1 completed 26 of 39 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns while only getting sacked once.
This performance by Brissett was sort of special in various ways. With the Colts offense letting Brissett lead the way and play more aggressive, we witnessed a different side of him. Outside of Brissett’s Week 4 performance against the Falcons, the NC State product has been a game manager who has patiently and wisely taken what the defense gives to him.
It’s really a big deal that the Colts know they have a quarterback who can play in different roles and still win games.
Zach Pascal’s breakout performance
Even on a day where the Colts offense had its share of key contributors, it says a lot that Pascal stood out the most. The third-year wide receiver got plenty of chances to shine due to injuries and the Texans’ desire to contain T.Y. Hilton, and he certainly took advantage of it.
Out of his seven targets, Pascal caught six passes that went for 106 yards and two touchdowns. It would soon become a common sight on Sunday of the Old Dominion target making plays that extended the Colts’ offensive drives, thus frustrating the Texans’ defense.
But if we look beyond Sunday’s game, there is a real opportunity for Pascal to emerge as the biggest passing target in the Colts’ passing game not named Hilton and Eric Ebron.
Containing Watson long enough to win
Whether it took the previous two weeks before Sunday’s game to recognize Deshaun Watson’s greatness or if you already knew from a while ago, the Colts were dealing with a bigger and tough task this time around. The Clemson product has become a viable MVP candidate and is the biggest play-maker on his offense in Houston.
So although the idea of “completely stopping” him can be far-fetch, there are still ways to slow Watson down. And amongst the teams that have faced him since last season, the Colts have been creating a successful blueprint for how to do so and it showed once again on Sunday.
After being sacked three times and throwing two interceptions, Watson’s numbers against the Colts in their last three encounters are now this: 0-3 record, three passing touchdowns, three interceptions and 11 sacks. Keep in mind, I didn’t even mention his decreased passing yards average.
To understand why the Colts’ defense is getting the best of Watson, it’s very simple. Their pass rush is relentless and not allowing Watson to get comfortable and they haven’t surrendered many big plays to him.
The recent streak of excellent pass protection continues
As someone who has followed the Colts for a very, very long time now, it still amazes me how the narrative about their offensive line has changed for the better. After a few years of terrible play and the front office not getting it right, the Colts suddenly have what’s considered to be the best offensive line in the NFL.
While their recent success as an elite run-blocking unit is noted, the same must be said for their pass protection. After having a “slow” start of sorts this season, the Colts’ O-Line has only surrendered three sacks in their last three games, with the lone one happening on Sunday against the Texans.
How many teams can actually field an offensive line that is not only very good but fun to watch on every play?
Winning the T.O.P. battle again
Regardless of which opposing offenses, the Colts will face in the coming weeks, their own offense can actually lessen those concerns by winning one specific battle on Sundays: Time of possession. It is well-known that the team who possesses the ball longer tends to have better, offensive performances en route to winning games.
And while the Colts offense has already shown its potential to be one that’s explosive and strikes fast, their true identity is tied to the usage of time. I say this because, between their last two victories (Weeks 5 and 7), the Colts have possessed the ball longer than their opponents for an average of nine minutes and 50 seconds.
By having such great control of time, it makes a Colts offense—one that has scored at least 24 points in four out of their last six games—more dangerous to deal with.
