Colts at Falcons: Next Day Analysis

The Colts and Matt Hasselbeck keep finding a way to win, even on the road, but the Falcons certainly helped.

We don’t overreact at Horseshoe Heroes. We’re here to give you a realistic breakdown of the Colts after each and every game.

Another week, another Matt Hasselbeck win for the Colts. Is there a quarterback controversy brewing in…alright, can’t even finish that sentence. Let’s get this straight, as great has Hasselbeck has been he is not going to be taking snaps from Andrew Luck when he’s healthy. This isn’t some bizzaro version of the Broncos.

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Even Hasselbeck would admit that he’d prefer for Luck to be under center because it gives the Colts a better chance to win. But on Sunday, Hasselbeck wasn’t the one keeping the Falcons defense in check or forcing four turnovers ( he did infact have two bad interceptions). Some complained about paying so much for a quality backup, but when you have a young QB who doesn’t know how to protect himself and is behind a mediocre offensive line, it is a good investment.

Regardless of what you think about this roster overall, making the playoffs would still be an accomplishment (yes, even in the AFC South) and anything can happen once you get into the postseason. Just ask the Giants.

The Colts are 5-3 in one score game this season and until they figure out how to be consistent on offense, those tight games are likely going to continue. The Colts need to simply tread water until Luck heals up and could manage a nice three game win streak before heading to Pittsburgh.

Here’s what stood out from Sunday:

• Bad play calling. Rob Chudzinski did a nice job calling plays against the Broncos (it also helped that Luck decided to not spray the ball all over the field). This week was not a prime example of play calling. They ran play action without setting up anything resembling a run, ran the ball way too much, and generally needed penalties and barely completed passes to stay in the game. This was basically the opposite of Pep Hamilton’s brilliant game plan against the Texans with a very ill Hasselbeck at QB (more proof that Hamilton wasn’t really a problem). With two weeks to prepare against a bad defense, the Colts should have had a more cohesive game plan.
• Someone stepped up, eventually. There are a number of players on defense who put in a very solid effort (Clayton Geathers stands out), but D’Qwell Jackson stands out and not just for his game-tying pick six. Jackson made a number of key plays between his late sack and fumble recovery. He seemed to be in the mix on more than a few plays. In fact, both of the Colts middle linebackers (who we’ve killed for their obvious flaws) played very well, with Jerrell Freeman leading in tackles and mildly helping generate pressure on Matt Ryan.
• Foot meet bullet. The Falcons are 1-4 over their past five games primarily because they can’t get out of their own way. Turning the ball over four times (three when it really mattered) isn’t going to win you too many games and yesterday was no exception. That said, the Colts got their fair share of luck on the first three Falcons turnovers. Dwight Lowery‘s interception in the end zone (also a theme for the Falcons) probably should have been an incomplete pass as the nose of the ball hit the turf, then again literally NO ONE knows what a catch is in the NFL. Fumble recoveries in a pile are generally a coin flip. Jackson’s interception was in self defense and he actually bit on the play fake, but that pick six was set up by special teams. Coby Fleener with the game sealer? I have no words.
  • More self inflicted wounds. With the Colts down 14 points in the third quarter, the Falcons decided to let them back into the game. An 80 yard scoring drive was aided by 40 yards of penalties from the Falcons. This was an ugly game all over, but the Falcons really didn’t want to win at home and basically did everything they could to give it away, it just took the Colts three quarters to decide that they finally wanted it.

• Extra Special Teams. Pat McAfee dropped a dime punt in the fourth quarter, even better was the effort by Donte Moncrief to beat his blocker and down the ball at the one-yard line. That play essentially killed the Falcons odds of pushing the lead and put Ryan in a pressure situation that most QBs will struggle with. Even better was Adam Vinatieri‘s 26th game winning field goal. Pressure doesn’t affect him. Location and conditions don’t affect him. Even age doesn’t affect him. Vinatieri simply drills game winners. It will be tough to replace him when he retires (at this rate it won’t be for another 10 years).

The win keeps the Colts a half step ahead of the Texans for the division title with a game coming up at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who are fresh off dominating Philly on the road).