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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kevin Hickey

Colts rout Panthers, 38-6: Instant analysis

The Indianapolis Colts (7-8) defeated the Carolina Panthers (5-10) on Sunday, 38-6, at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The game was over when…

…The Colts took a 21-3 lead into halftime.

Game Balls

  • RB Nyheim Hines: The second-year back did most of his damage on special teams, including two punts returned for touchdowns.
  • DE Justin Houston: The veteran got his 10th sack of the season and was big on a fourth-down stop later in the game.
  • DE Al-Quadin Muhammad: He made some waves with two sacks from the edge.

Key Stats

  • The Colts rushed for 218 yards as a team, good for their second-highest total this season.
  • The Colts defense held the Panthers to a 29% conversion rate (4/14) on third downs.

Quick Hits

  • The Colts snapped a four-game losing streak.
  • Hines’ punt return for a touchdown was the first for the Colts since T.Y. Hilton did it in 2012.
  • Hines is the first player with two punt returns for touchdowns in a game since Titans’ Darius Reynaud in 2012.
  • Houston reached double-digit sacks for the first time since 2014.
  • It was the fourth time in his career Houston recorded at least 10 sacks in a season. It was the first time the Colts have had a player with double-digit sacks since 2016.
  • The Colts committed zero penalties for the sixth time in franchise history and first time since 1999.
  • 38 points as a team are the most the Colts have scored this season.

Injuries

  • CB Kenny Moore (ankle), DT Denico Autry (concussion) and CB Quincy Wilson (shoulder) were all inactive due to injuries.
  • LG Quenton Nelson suffered a concussion and didn’t return.

Up Next: The Colts visit the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) at TIAA Bank Field on Dec. 29.

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