Main Takeaways: Preseason Week 2

The Colts traveled to Dallas to take on the defending NFC East champion Cowboys tonight for the 2nd week of the preseason.

Andrew Luck is still rehabbing his shoulder, so it was another audition for who could potentially start for the Colts in Week 1 against the Rams. For the Cowboys, it was the NFL debut of Jaylon Smith as well as first preseason action for second-year quarterback Dak Prescott.

The Colts offense stagnated for three quarters, but showed life in the fourth. Indianapolis was still outmatched, and dropped their 2nd preseason game by the score of 24-19.

The Good!

• Free agent signee Barkevious Mingo forced a fumble on a sack of Kellen Moore, which led to a Colts defensive touchdown for Lavar Edwards. It was a great sign for the Colts pass rush given their lethargic effort last week coupled with the fact that the Cowboys still had their offensive line starters in the game.
• Quincy Wilson‘s play was solid, and had a nice pass breakup in the red zone on third down. It was a promising showing for the second round draft pick.

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• Marlon Mack‘s first several rushed in the middle of the secondnd quarter went for some good yardage. He showed off his speed and he was breaking tackles along the way. He also picked up a blitzing linebacker, which resulted in a Colts first down. His athletic ability could be very beneficial to the Colts offense in the regular season.
• The Colts offensive line looked solid throughout the day, especially given the injury to center Ryan Kelly. They only allowed one sack in the first half.
• Margus Hunt blocked a kick! He’s had many of those in his career, and he isn’t slowing down.
• Once Stephen Morris came into the game, the Colts offense showed some life. They played with a bit more pace, and Morris looked to have more confidence under center than Tolzien or Walker. He made a nice throw to convert a fourth down late in the game to get the Colts into the red zone, and finished it off with a touchdown pass.

The Bad…

• Scott Tolzien makes me long for the days of Curtis Painter. He’s been abysmal at quarterback position. The playbook is set conservatively for short passes, no audibles, and mostly one-read plays. To say the Colts looked anemic offensively would be an understatement.
• Quincy Wilson sustained a knee injury late in the second quarter and was taken out of the game permanently.
• Philip Walker, the second quarterback used for the Colts, wasn’t any more effective for the Colts. He has legs and can keep plays alive, but Indianapolis was forced to stick to short passes.
• Too many check-down passes for my liking.

The Ugly

The Colts got their first 1st down after the Cowboys had already racked up 11 first downs.

In the red zone late in the 2nd quarter the Colts ran a bizarre wildcat-esque formation on second down that was sniffed out immediately.

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Punter Rigoberto Sanchez was cheap-shotted after he delivered a punt in the 3rd quarter and was injured on the play.

The Colts had roughly six missed tackles on rushing plays early in the fourth quarter. It may be their third/fourth stringers, but you’d like to see better effort/technique from them.

While the Cowboys came out victorious, there were plenty of positive takeaways to be had in the Colts’ performance.