A lesson that is always constant and impactful in sports is to never take your opponent for granted. Regardless of their record, personnel and any other factors, anything can happen when the game begins. And on Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) were a living example of this lesson following their 31-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders (2-2).
Despite being at home and facing a Raiders team who ranked fairly low in various offense and defensive categories, that didn’t prevent the Colts from playing their worst game of the season. In between falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter to their defense struggling, the Colts couldn’t go step for step with the Raiders.
Here are five takeaways from the Colts’ Week 4 loss on Sunday:
The Colts dug themselves into a big hole early on
Although the Raiders’ offensive and defensive attack would prove to be effective throughout Sunday’s game, it was at its best within the first 20 minutes. Quarterback Derek Carr would throw for two touchdowns. Tight end Dallen Waller was becoming a matchup nightmare. Heck, at one point, Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett was held to zero completions.
The AFC West competitor was able to quickly take over this game and forced the Colts to play catchup after leading 21-7 in the second quarter. And while the Colts did come within a touchdown on a couple of occasions, it doesn’t overlook the fact the Raiders managed to extend their leads multiple times and produce defensive stops when necessary.
Colts’ receiving corps MIGHTLY struggled
When people will look at the performances from the Colts’ receiving targets on Sunday, they could attest to a few things. The absence of wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. The good job that was done by the Raiders’ secondary. Maybe, Jacoby Brissett wasn’t his normal, consistent self in terms of accuracy. But regardless of their thoughts, it shouldn’t excuse the number of drops that occurred.
As a unit, the Colts’ receiving corps dropped at least five passes, struggled to get open and fumbled once on Sunday. For a duo of positions (tight end and wide receiver) that were greeted with much hype in the offseason, now is the time for them to really prove their worth. Especially young contributors such as Parris Campbell (five catches for 25 yards), Zach Pascal (four catches for 72 yards), and Deon Cain (zero catches out of five targets).
Raiders found their running game again
As I stated earlier this week in my latest “Three Keys to Matchup” article, the Colts were facing a very dynamic running back in Josh Jacobs. The Alabama product began his NFL career on a high note by rushing for 228 yards in his first three games, while also averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Yet, even with those numbers, Jacobs’ attempts didn’t stay the same.
Because of the fact, the Raiders were down double-digits to the Chiefs and Vikings in consecutive weeks, Jacobs saw his attempts decrease. But a matchup against the Colts would prove not only successful for him but his teammates too. As Jacobs rushed for 79 yards via his 17 carries, the Raiders’ overall rushing attack overwhelmed the Colts from start to finish.
For a unit, that was already missing key starters and allowing 114 rushing yards per game, the Colts would give up 188 rushing yards to the Raiders on Sunday. Out of those yards, 60 of them came on Trevor Davis’ touchdown run in the first quarter.
Something has to change on defense
After going through the first quarter of action in this NFL season, every team knows it has things to improve on. But the big question is by how much? I say this because, for the Colts, their defense is arguably at the top of their list of things to improve on; which is saying something to be honest.
Whether they struggle to defend tight end’s or limiting the number of third down’s converted, the concern is starting to exist for that side of the ball. Following their loss on Sunday, the Colts have now allowed their opposition to convert more third down’s or possess the ball longer than them, three times this season.
The only Colts’ opponent who failed to do either? The Titans in Week 3.
Brissett shows us a bit more on Sunday
Even though most of Jacoby Brissett’s numbers on Sunday would say otherwise (24 completions, 265 passing yards, three touchdowns, and zero sacks), it wouldn’t be crazy for anyone to say that was his worst performance of the season thus far. The Colts’ QB1 spent half of his passing attempts (46), under pressure and missing several throws, which resulted in a completion percentage of 52%.
And while his game-deciding interception was only his second of the season, Brissett made a rare mistake of staring down the receiver and not paying any attention to Raiders defensive back Erik Harris, who perfectly timed his jump and returned the interception for a touchdown. But regardless of his struggles against the Raiders, Brissett still looked and played the part of a top-notch starting QB.
Even with his offense struggling to generate yards and points, Brissett still remained poised and completed the throws, he had to make, regardless of the score.
