Receiving breakdown vs Lions proves Colts are best when run is established

The Colts’ lengthy receiving breakdown from Sunday proves that they are tough to stop when the running game is established.

Remember how big of a game the Detroit Lions’ defense was talking following their walk-off win over the sorry Atlanta Falcons in Week 7? Well, the Indianapolis Colts clearly took that personally as they walked into and out of Ford Field with a comprehensive 20-point victory.

Given how complete of a performance it was by the Colts, it would be impossible to point to any one player or position group in terms of who was responsible for the win. However, we can’t help put point to the success of the running game as the deciding factor in the huge result.

The sheer real estate surprise star Jordan Wilkins was finding all afternoon set Philip Rivers up with ample opportunity to pick apart the Lions’ lackluster secondary. It opened up all sorts of windows through the air and the 38-year-old quarterback wasted no time finding them.

In fact, the extent to which Rivers shared the wealth on Sunday proves that the Colts are at their best when the rushing attack is established. Why do we say that? Because a whopping 11 players hauled in receptions vs Detroit.

The last time we checked, it’s virtually impossible to stop an offense with a quarterback who’s able to complete passes to more than 10 different players, and the run game getting going early on is largely to thank for that.

With Jonathan Taylor struggling to find holes — it was reported after the game that he was dealing with a minor ankle injury — Wilkins was forced into a workhorse role and made the most of his opportunities, turning 20 carries into 89 yards and a touchdown.

The most impressive nugget of the receiving breakdown from Sunday? No player tallied more than 55 receiving yards and five managed more than 20 receiving yards. Furthermore, no member of the offense logged more than six targets or three receptions. That short of balance is an extreme rarity in today’s NFL, when points are being scored at historic rates.

While those statistics obviously won’t be replicated on a weekly basis, Rivers spreading the love through the air is a perfect recipe for success for Indianapolis. After all, head coach Frank Reich’s side won the all-important time of possession battle by over 15 minutes (37:46 to 22:14).

When you couple their gauntlet of upcoming opponents — Baltimore, Tennessee (twice) and Green Bay — with top wideout TY Hilton going down with a groin injury against Detroit, the Colts need to find a way to keep the running game in a groove by any means necessary.

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