The Indianapolis Colts (5-4) were on the wrong end of an embarrassing 16-12 loss against the Miami Dolphins (2-7) at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.
It was a sloppy game from the start — tight end Eric Ebron was stripped in the end zone for an interception on the opening drive. The Colts were undermanned without quarterback Jacoby Brissett and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, but that’s no excuse for what was put on the field.
Here are the studs and duds from the Week 10 loss:
STUD: LB Darius Leonard
Against a lowly Dolphins offense, the Colts were strong on the defensive side for the most part. Leading the way for the unit was Leonard, who found himself in the middle of several huge plays.
Leonard started off the first drive of the game with a strong forced fumble, punching the ball out of Mike Gesicki’s hands. He also recorded a sack and a huge interception that led to the Colts’ only touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Leonard hasn’t been playing up to his All-Pro status for the entirety of the season, but he certainly was on Sunday.
DUD: QB Brian Hoyer
The Colts had to go at it without their starting quarterback. It didn’t turn out so well as Hoyer delivered an abysmal performance that saw the Colts offense stall out several times.
Hoyer finished the game 18 of 39 for 204 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He had a 38.8 passer rating. Two of Hoyer’s interceptions came on first downs to start drives, which meant the offense didn’t get a chance to get going.
Hoyer was promising in Week 9 in relief of Brissett, but his performance was critically impairing to the Colts on Sunday.
STUD: TE Jack Doyle
The Colts passing game couldn’t get much going throughout the entire day. Whether it was due to the offensive line allowing pressure, Hoyer being inaccurate or pass catchers dropping opportunities, the passing attack struggled.
However, Doyle was once again a strong and reliable option for Hoyer on Sunday. The veteran tight end finished with three receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown — the only one the Colts would score on the day.
It was a rough day for the passing game, but Doyle was a reliable target.
DUD: TE Eric Ebron
While Doyle was strong, his counterpart can’t say the same. Yes, Ebron finished leading the team in targets (12), receptions (five) and yards (56). But after he went to head coach Frank Reich to address his lack of a role in the offense, Ebron made a few crucial plays that helped the Dolphins.
First, it came on the interception in the end zone. To be a red zone weapon, he can’t allow a defender to take the ball straight out of his own hands. Then, Ebron had a very crucial drop on a deep crosser on third down that ended a drive quickly.
Ebron made some contested catches, especially on the final drive. But if he wants to be a focal point of the offense, there needs to be more consistency on his end.
