Colts: Midseason Report Card for Indianapolis Colts’ offense

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 10: Nyheim Hines #21 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 10: Nyheim Hines #21 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Michael Pittman #11 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass during the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Jets at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

Wide Receivers

The return of Michael Pittman is a game changer. The rookie has to be the No. 1 wide receiver, and he is growing up fast, as Thursday night’s 100+ yard game confirmed. And someone else has risen to the top.

Pro Football Focus’ Mid-Season All-Stars included Tight End Mo Alie-Cox. So why does the Colts braintrust go to Doyle and Trey Burton so much? Because they were productive in training camp? We’re nine games in. Can we please give the ball to the guy who’s balling? We need Mo’ Mo.

Before the season’s kickoff, many writers and fans had their underwear in a twist over the possible drop-off in play of the old gunslinger, quarterback Philip Rivers. But it was perennial star wide receiver T.Y. Hilton who’s actually appeared to fall off a cliff 

The good news is that Hilton’s hassles (and injuries to Parris Campbell, Zach Pascal, Trey Burton, etc.) hastened the emergence of new receiver talent: Alie-Cox, Marcus Johnson, and Pittman. Let’s give RB Nyheim Hines an honorary designation as a wide receiver, too. Like Alvin Kamara, Hines has more receptions and more receiving TDs than any TE or WR.

Grade:  B-

Expecting steadier improvement as coaches tweak the nuances of the passing game, and the quarterback gets more comfortable with newbies like himself.