The Indianapolis Colts (2-1) were slight home favorites over the Atlanta Falcons (1-2) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 3 and made good on that notion—coming away with a 27-24 victory.
After dominating the first half of the game and taking a 20-3 lead into the third quarter, the Colts almost allowed a comeback from Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense.
Here are four things we learned about the Colts in the Week 3 win:
Adam Vinatieri is back…maybe?
After two weeks of head-scratching misses on both field-goal attempts and extra-points, the 46-year-old kicker had a big game ahead of him in the home opener. Coming out to a wave of cheers and support for his first field-goal attempt of the day, Vinatieri snuck one in by bouncing it off the right post and through from 49 yards.
Following that, the 24-year veteran was money on his four other kicks (one FG, three XPs). To say that Vinatieri is all the way back might be a little premature, simply because he’s had more failures than success this season.
However, this is a very encouraging step that might show the Colts they don’t need to look for another kicker anytime soon. If he has another perfect day against the Raiders in Week 4, we can probably put all of this behind us.
There are WR concerns outside of T.Y. Hilton
While winning covers a multitude of sins, there is some concern with the wide receiver room outside of the Ghost. While Hilton is enjoying one of his best starts to a season, there hasn’t been any impact made from the rest of the room.
Now, Hilton could be dealing with a quad injury that keeps him of the field for some time. The rest of the room—currently composed of Deon Cain, Parris Campbell, Chester Rogers and Zach Pascal—must find a way to make an impact. They must find ways to separate better, especially if Hilton winds up missing this matchup against the Raiders.
The Colts are already down Devin Funchess, who suffered a broken collarbone in Week 1. If they lose Hilton for any amount of time, this wide receiver room could be in trouble.
Colts are proving to be a playoff-caliber team
It was clear entering the season if the Colts were going to be able to compete in the division. Through the first three weeks, it is abundantly clear that they are capable and willing. Having hung with three playoff-caliber teams in the Chargers, Titans and Falcons, the Colts are showing they can make a run for a playoff spot.
There is still a long way to go, but the Colts have dealt with adversity every step of the way. Andrew Luck retired and Jacoby Brissett has done wonderfully. Darius Leonard was out with a concussion, and the Colts held off the Falcons potent offense as much as they could—resulting in a win.
It has been proven that Chris Ballard’s work in adding depth is paying off, and it is clear now that the Colts are team capable of competing for a playoff spot.
Defense must improve
Yes, the Colts were without All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard and veteran defensive end Jabaal Sheard. But the defense has been somewhat of a concern in a few areas. They’ve allowed the fourth-highest conversion rate on third-down attempts (52%), and they are allowing opposing backfields to run at an unsustainable rate of efficiency.
Though the totals against the run defense aren’t horrible and they have yet to allow a single 100-yard rusher, the Colts are allowing 5.3 yards per carry to opposing offenses. That rate is far too high to have sustained success.
To go along with that, the Colts passing defense has left much to be desired. They are allowing a 76% completion rate and a 115.4 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks.
There is still a long way to go this season, but the defense has to begin taking steps toward improving in several areas if the division crown is to be within reach.
