Rollercoaster Season Continues for Indianapolis Colts

Are the Indianapolis Colts who we thought they were? Is this team, who lost to the New York Jets 35-9 on Sunday, as bad as they looked? Are the Colts closer to the team who also got routed in week one by the Chicago Bears, or are they more like the team who shocked the Green Bay Packers in week five?

The truth is, that these Indianapolis Colts are somewhere in the muddy middle of being a good team and a disappointing one at the same time. As this team is currently constructed, they have the ability to hang in punch for punch with the best opposition in the NFL. On top of that, with injuries, and without the leadership of their head coach, this squad really doesn’t have an identity. It’s hard to build a foundation for the future, when the building blocks are falling apart.

Right now, this team finds themselves often getting exposed on both sides of the ball. After becoming the first quarterback since 1973 to throw at least one touchdown in the first four games of his career, Andrew Luck was held without a score on Sunday. Conversely, the rookie quarterback was also responsible for three more turnovers in the Jets game, which brings his turnover total to nine on the season. The Colts offense only completed on three third down conversions in the loss against New York.

The Indianapolis defense, bruised and beaten, has also been beaten-down and ran all over so far this season. The Colts have allowed at least 20 points in each of their five games in 2012. New York’s 253 rushing yards against the Colts was their highest total since 2010. Running back Shonn Greene, who had not broken over 100 yards rushing all season, ran for a career-high 161 yards against the Colts.

Dating back to last season, the Colts have now lost 10 road games in a row. The ups and downs continue for this transitional team, as they also have yet to win back-to-back games this season. Just like last week, the Colts must have a short memory in a great win, as well as in a bad loss.