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Colts: Midseason Report Card for Indianapolis Colts’ offense

By Dennis J. Hassell

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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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 18: Philip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates his teams 31-27 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Quarterbacks

Philip Rivers’ numbers are maddeningly mixed:

  • Yards per game Passing: 18th, on a run-first team.
  • Passing TDs: 24th. The Colts have been run-first in the red zone and at the goal line. As you know, the run game has had nine games to improve and the needle is not moving up much week to week. This is part of the problem on third downs.
  • (ALARM BELL) Passer Rating:  91.9,  24th among starters of seven games or more. Rivers’ stats are dragged down by two stinky games, losses that, of course, count.

Pros for Rivers:

  • The wide receiver corps has been underwhelming and hit with injuries.
  • His interception rate so far projects to 14 or less on the year, down 30% from last season.
  • Remember also that Rivers has been let out of his cage just once, and that was the historic no-huddle comeback win against the not-that-bad Burrow Bengals.
  • Rivers’ second half must be better, and on Thursday night, Rivers was very solid starting the home stretch.

Q: What have you done for me lately?

A:  Thursday Night:  29 of 39 passes (Completion Rate: 74%), 308 yards, a touchdown — and no interceptions or fumbles.

Hey, Coaches? Scheme for Michael Pittman, Mo Alie-Cox and Nyheim Hines, and Rivers’ passing stats will rise.

QB Grade: B-

B-  is appropriate for a 6-3 team leaning on a great defense & special teams. If not for two sub-par games, it would be B+. Expect Rivers, with his historical patterns, to generate better stats with an improved receiver corps and scheme, and slay in December.

Colts Offense Overall Mid-Term Grade: B-

Colts Second Half Prediction:

The Colts’ “stock” is wildly up and down, but I recommend y’all buy in. Act Two of the season will bag 5-6 wins, the Colts will end the regular season at 10-11 wins and, more importantly, win the division. Gotta beat either Packers or Steelers to seize the divisional crown.  The Chargers beat the Packers last season. Rivers will remember how to play them.

Facing the Packers and Steelers will be a glimpse into the Colts’ playoff destiny.

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