Horseshoe Hero: The Power of One

The Colts turned in another lackluster performance on Sunday, losing for the ninth time in as many tries this season, this time to Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. Once again, two early turnovers led the Colts to fall into an 0-14 hole that they were unable to dig themselves out of. In the end, it was Falcons 31, Colts 7. Injuries to tight ends Dallas Clark and Brody Eldridge, coupled with the benching of starting quarterback Curtis Painter, only added to the game’s chaos.

One player, however, provided a bright spot on defense by preventing a shutout and notching the Colts’ only points of the game. Jerraud Powers is this week’s Horseshoe Hero after intercepting a pass from ‘Matty Ice’ and returning the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Powers’ score was set up well by punter Pat McAfee, who kicked the pigskin 53 yards all the way to Atlanta’s 1-yard line. Pressured by the proximity to the end zone, Ryan was left with few options to avoid a safety and overthrew his pass. Powers jumped the route, beat receiver Roddy White to the ball, and returned it 6 yards for the score. The touchdown was the first of  Powers’ NFL career. It was also the first interception for the Colts since their Week 3 battle with Pittsburgh.

A third year cornerback from Auburn University, Powers was selected by the Colts in the third round of the 2009 draft and has been a starter from the beginning. Last year, he missed the final four games of the season after injuring his arm in early December, but this year he has been pretty consistent. With 38 tackles, Powers ranks 10th in the league among third-year defensive backs. He now has four career interceptions.

The Colts are definitely struggling, and it’s difficult to watch. However, the blue and white have a chance to beat the 2-6 Jacksonville Jaguars next week. Here’s hoping a Horseshoe Hero leads the way to the Colts’ first victory of the year.