Indianapolis Colts Report Card 10/14/2012
New York Jets (3-3) 35 Indianapolis Colts (2-3) 9
The Colts traveled to Met Life for a game against the New York Jets, and couldn’t leave fast enough after this dismal display. Andrew Luck looked like the rookie quarterback he is at times with missing a couple of open guys that could have been scores. The Colts defense got scorched by Shonn Greene for 161 yards. Even Mark Sanchez looked like a better quarterback than he usually is. This was not the coming out party the Colts had anticipated when all the talk was these next five games could be something to watch. The Jets put together a performance that showed maybe they’re not dead yet. Next up for the Colts is a game against the Cleveland Browns at home, maybe the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium will be what they need.
Passing Game: C-
Oct 14, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the New York Jets during the second half at Metlife Stadium. The Jets won the game 35-9. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE
Andrew Luck didn’t have the performance that he was hoping for in this game. Overthrowing a few times, even one to Coby Fleener that would have been a score. Also throw in two interceptions, one of which that went in for a score, but was called back. The Jets would score on that interception, so it didn’t matter in the long run. Reggie Wayne was covered by Antonio Cromartie for the game, which meant Luck had to find other guys. He did find Wayne for some yards, but not enough to put the Colts in any sense of a passing game.
Running Game: D
Oct 14, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) hands the ball off to running back Vick Ballard (33) before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE
The running game didn’t do their part as Donald Brown looked to be greatly missed from the backfield. Vick Ballard gets his first start, but only manages 25 yards on 8 carries. The Colts as a team couldn’t even manage 3 yards a carry. That’s putting your team in big third down conversions if you can’t pick up some yards. It never felt like the running game was going to take off, so Andrew Luck ends up going for 44 passes.
Passing Defense: C
Oct 14, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) throws to running back Bilal Powell (29) against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE
Mark Sanchez only threw for passes 18 times and completed 82 yards, so in a way you could say that’s a good day for the Colts passing defense. But there were two scores thrown by Sanchez, and that’s two too many. They got to Sanchez once for a sack as the offensive line had their way with the Colts defensive line.
Running Defense: D
Oct 14, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Shonn Greene (23) runs past Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aristide Economopoulos/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE
Looks like the Jets might have found their ground and pound personality against the Colts. Not the day that Colt fans would have liked for that to happen, but Shonn Greene looked more like the back he was a couple of years ago as he ran all over the Colts. Joe McKnight got in on the fun as well with his 61 yard carry, which was the longest run for a Jets running back in three years. Who knows when this Colts run defense will get to some semblence of stopping the run?
Intangibles: D
You knew the Jets would be so hungry for a win, they would try anything. In this game, they didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. There wasn’t any trick plays, and there was only a small bit of Tim Tebow that didn’t produce much. Hey I went a whole 500 words before mentioning his name. This Jets team looked like the team that could head to the playoffs if they put this effort together each week. The Colts looked like the team that many people predicted would struggle during the season. They definitely came back crashing to Earth after last week’s great win. That’s why it’s so hard to tell what a team looks like week to week. But the Colts need to put a better effort come this Sunday in front of the home crowd, especially against a not so good Cleveland Browns team.