Colts vs. Raiders: Week 4 special teams grade

The special teams didn’t play a massive part in this game, but the Colts still could have executed a little better to give themselves a better chance to win.

Adam Vinatieri has had well documented struggles this season. He has missed a bunch of kicks early in the year. He did make them all last week, in which he was clearly kicking for his job. How did he and the rest of the special teams unit fare this week?

Vinatieri made all three extra points that he attempted, but only went 1/2 with field goals. He made a 28 yarder but missed a 57 yarder at the end of the first half. That 57 yarder would have tied a career long for him. He shouldn’t get too much flak for missing it.

Nonetheless, it was another kick that he failed to make. This has been a theme of the season. He needs to focus on making all of his kicks if he wants to be on the field for the Colts much longer. As we saw today, this team isn’t good enough to be able to overcome special teams mistakes.

Rigoberto Sanchez had a pretty good day punting the ball. Unfortunately he was needed to punt four times, but he did pin two of them inside the 20. He also had a long of 55. His average punt was 46.5 yards, which is pretty good. It’s too bad the defense wasn’t able to hold that good field position.

Zach Pascal had the only kick return of the day for the Colts, as Parris Campbell got hurt and couldn’t do those duties. He only went 14 yards with it. Chester Rogers had some decent punt returns, including a long of 19. The coverage teams were also pretty decent for the Colts.

The special teams aren’t what cost Indy today. But they still need a kicker who can make his kicks on a consistent basis.